The Panama Canal

A Panama City “must-do” is a visit to the Miraflores Visitors Center at the Panama Canal. The state-of-art visitor center has 4 exhibition halls: Canal History, Water the Source of Life, The Canal in Action and the Canal of the World. The exhibitions include historical objects of Canal operations, interactive modules, video presentations, and models of the Panama Canal. There is also a snack bar and a restaurant with stunning Canal-side views.

Visitors may view ships passing through the Canal from the Visitors Center terrace free of charge.

Admission Fees

Miraflores Visitor Center Daily Schedule:
The exhibition halls are open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The ticket office closes at 4pm.

• Non-residents: $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12. Children under 5 are free.
• Residents:$5 for adults, $2 for children under 12 and retirees. Children under 5 are free.

Exhibition Hall #1

Canal History: It portrays the background, technological innovations, and sanitary initiatives that went hand in hand with the construction of the Canal. This exhibition hall honors the hundreds of men and women who made this achievement possible.

Exhibition Hall #2

Water: Source of Life. It emphasizes the importance of water, conservation of the environment, protection of the Canal Watershed, and the diversity of fauna and flora. It underscores the ACP’s commitment to the sustainable management of this resource and the interoceanic region.

Exhibition Hall #3

The Canal in Action: This exhibition hall depicts in an amusing manner how the Canal operates and allows us the experience of being inside a navigation simulator and one of the lock culverts. This exhibition showcases Canal improvement, modernization, and maintenance projects.

Exhibition Hall #4

The Canal of the World: This hall provides information on the importance of the Canal to world trade, describes the trade routes it serves and the main commodities, identifies its main users, and allows visitors to get acquainted with the different types of vessels that transit the waterway.

In addition, it presents some of the criteria studied to guarantee the future competitiveness of the Canal and benefits to the Republic of Panama.

Panama Canal Tours

Did you know you can ‘cruise’ the Panama Canal without taking a cruise? Panama Marine Adventures specializes in Panama Canal transits – partial and full – on their beautiful vessel, the Pacific Queen, with seating for 275 people and 3 large decks—one for observation and two fully air-conditioned.

The Pacific Queen departs from Flamenco Marina in Panama City and Gamboa for Partial Transits every Saturday. Full Canal transits are once a month. We also offer chartered Panama Bay cruises by day and night.

Another great way to explore is the Panama Canal Eco Monkey Island Tour. Get a close look at the work being done to expand the Panama Canal: history in the making; encounter rainforest animals like monkeys, sloths, toucans, crocodiles, and many other species; take kayak excursion through the jungle ending at a pristine water hole & cascade where you can swim. Or if you like you can go fishing too. Read more about the Panama Canal Rainforest.