It actually took us two tries to see the Panama Canal. Though the website says they close at 5:00 pm, what that really means is they kick everyone out at 5:00, and stop letting people in much sooner than that. During our first attempt to visit the Canal, we arrived at 4:15 and the center was already closed. However, during the afternoon most of the big boats come through the canal from 3:00-5:00 pm, so there’s not too wide of a window in which to see this attraction, unless you plan on coming early and hanging out at the resturant or gift shop until the boats come in. Another factor to consider is traffic, which can be horrendous at certain times during the day in Panama City.
On our second attempt to see the canal, we had already returned our rental car and chose to take a city bus. Unfortunately we got the wrong bus and ended up getting off at a station that was a 20 minute walk/run from the locks. Whoops! It might have been worth a $5 taxi to save us the hassle.
On our second attempt to see the canal, we had already returned our rental car and chose to take a city bus. Unfortunately we got the wrong bus and ended up getting off at a station that was a 20 minute walk/run from the locks. Whoops! It might have been worth a $5 taxi to save us the hassle.
"Texas Lady" about to go through the locks.
In addition to the veiwing deck where you can see boats come through, the center also has a short film to watch (10 minutes), and museum to walk through. The museum is not huge- we were in a hurry and went through in 15-20 minutes, but I don’t think it would take more than an hour to go through at a slower pace. The museum also repeats much of the same information included in the video and what I had read in our Lonely Planet book. You’ll also hear some of this information again on the veiwing deck, though in a thick Spanish accent.
I think the Panama Canal is worth going to, just because it’s the only thing most people know about Panama and besides, it’s only $15 per person. It was kind of cool to see the locks and I enjoyed it even though I am not a huge boat person. But if I were to do it again I would read David McCullough’s Path Between the Seas (I really enjoyed his biography of John Adams), and then plan my transportation to the locks carefully so as to see the big boats without being rushed or bored.
-Bethany
I think the Panama Canal is worth going to, just because it’s the only thing most people know about Panama and besides, it’s only $15 per person. It was kind of cool to see the locks and I enjoyed it even though I am not a huge boat person. But if I were to do it again I would read David McCullough’s Path Between the Seas (I really enjoyed his biography of John Adams), and then plan my transportation to the locks carefully so as to see the big boats without being rushed or bored.
-Bethany
RSS Feed
