The Best Ways To See The Panama Canal

The Panama Canal should be at the top of everyone's bucket list. It really is a feat of engineering that you have to experience to appreciate. And for teens, the canal has it all history, mechanics, and boats, really big boats. The 50-mile long canal was built from 1903-1914 by the United States and turned over to Panama in 1999. 

The impact the canal had on the world's supply chain is incredible. 

So what's the best way to experience the canal?

The easiest way to see the canal is to take an Uber to the Miraflores Vistor Center. It's about 30 minutes outside of Panama City. An Uber will cost you approximately $15 each way. Our Uber driver even volunteered to return at a set time to pick us up. (If you use my Uber referral link, you will get your first ride FREE). Tickets for the visitor center are not cheap, but you get a movie, entry to the museum and the viewing station. The museum is four stories and filled with history, hands-on exhibits, and a movie. Honestly, the new movie which launched in January is very strange, but it's only 20 minutes long. 

Ask the staff when the boats are coming through the locks and head up to the viewing station on the fourth floor early to get a space on the rail. You can return to the museum at any time. 

The food at the museum is overpriced and mediocre so plan to eat before or bring snacks with you. The museum costs $20 for adults, $12 for children ages 6-12 and it's FREE for kids under 6. Plan to spend 2-3 hours here. 

Seeing the locks from the viewing station is good, but traveling through the locks on a ferry is even better. Panama Marine Adventures offers a partial day and full day. Believe me, the partial day is plenty. The company owns the ferry so this is as close as you can get to buying a ticket direct instead of using a tour company. Panama Marine Adventures will pick you up at your hotel and either take you to the marina to catch the ferry or take you by cab about an hour away to the Gamboa marina on the other side of the locks near Gatun Lake. 

Then you board the ferry for approximately 6 hours and travel through a series of three locks. 

To feel the ferry dropping 27 feet and then to watch the medieval lock gates swing open is mesmerizing. I asked my teens if the ferry trip was worth it because it really is 5 hours of nothing and 1 hour of amazing. All three said they would recommend it, but they said to bring a book. Your ferry ticket includes lunch plus coffee, water, and soft drinks. 

Tickets are $149 for adults and $95 for children 6-12. If you look online, you may be able to find some tours that are little cheaper, but make sure the tour includes transport and lunch. The word of the day for this trip is patience. About 80 boats a day go through the locks so the schedule can get delayed. 

Watch for my next post about what to see in Panama City.