Throughout history, humans have come up with incredible marvels of engineering. They include the Roman roads and aqueducts, the Egyptian pyramids, cities like Machu Picchu and the tall skyscrapers that dominate the skyline of many a city. Many of these sites now only function as tourist attractions but there's one that is still used for its original purpose. With the different options for Panama Canal travel you can admire this construction and experience it in action.
The Panama Canal is the main source of income for the eponymous country. On the Caribbean side it starts at Colon and then it ends at Balboa, near the capital on the Pacific coast. It covers a distance of less than 50 miles, much less than the route around Cape Horn that ships used to have to take if they wanted to travel between the Caribbean and the Pacific before the engineering marvel was completed in 1914.
A ship entering the Canal at Colon does so at sea level. When it reaches the Gatun Locks, it's raised many feet higher to the level of the Lago Gatun. It then traverses this man-made lake and a gorge known as the Gaillard Cut. At the Pedro Miguel Locks it's lowered about 30 feet and then a mile or so further at the Miraflores Locks, it's taken back down to sea level. Now it can sail on to Balboa and the Gulf of Panama.
The best way to see the system in action is from the deck or the bridge of a ship or boat. Some cruise ships offer packages that include this crossing but you can also charter a yacht. In the capital you'll find tour companies that will take you on a boat tour, usually only through the Miraflores Locks. However, they sometimes offer the full crossing too.
Crossings are expensive and if you're traveling on a tight budget, there is always the option of finding employment on a boat and letting the owner carry the costs. Cruise liners often have vacancies for various jobs. If you don't want to commit to a long contract, ask around in Panama City to find a position as line-handler only for the crossing. Usually this doesn't pay well if at all but you'll have a unique experience.
For a good view of ships going through the locks, travel to one of the locks by taxi. The most popular option is to go to the Miraflores Locks from the capital. A budget alternative is to take the bus from the capital to Gamboa, since you'll have the Canal in view for a large part of the journey.
Once a day there is a passenger train that travels along the Canal between Panama City and Colon as well. The journey takes about an hour. You'll be treated to views not only of the engineering marvel but also of the rainforest-covered landscape.
The most popular season for Panama Canal travel is the dry season, between December and April. This usually corresponds with cruise season too. If you'd like to save money and avoid crowds of tourists, the rainy season is a good option too. Everything is cheaper then and it usually doesn't rain until the afternoon. The only real drawback of traveling during this time is the uncomfortably high humidity levels.
The Panama Canal is the main source of income for the eponymous country. On the Caribbean side it starts at Colon and then it ends at Balboa, near the capital on the Pacific coast. It covers a distance of less than 50 miles, much less than the route around Cape Horn that ships used to have to take if they wanted to travel between the Caribbean and the Pacific before the engineering marvel was completed in 1914.
A ship entering the Canal at Colon does so at sea level. When it reaches the Gatun Locks, it's raised many feet higher to the level of the Lago Gatun. It then traverses this man-made lake and a gorge known as the Gaillard Cut. At the Pedro Miguel Locks it's lowered about 30 feet and then a mile or so further at the Miraflores Locks, it's taken back down to sea level. Now it can sail on to Balboa and the Gulf of Panama.
The best way to see the system in action is from the deck or the bridge of a ship or boat. Some cruise ships offer packages that include this crossing but you can also charter a yacht. In the capital you'll find tour companies that will take you on a boat tour, usually only through the Miraflores Locks. However, they sometimes offer the full crossing too.
Crossings are expensive and if you're traveling on a tight budget, there is always the option of finding employment on a boat and letting the owner carry the costs. Cruise liners often have vacancies for various jobs. If you don't want to commit to a long contract, ask around in Panama City to find a position as line-handler only for the crossing. Usually this doesn't pay well if at all but you'll have a unique experience.
For a good view of ships going through the locks, travel to one of the locks by taxi. The most popular option is to go to the Miraflores Locks from the capital. A budget alternative is to take the bus from the capital to Gamboa, since you'll have the Canal in view for a large part of the journey.
Once a day there is a passenger train that travels along the Canal between Panama City and Colon as well. The journey takes about an hour. You'll be treated to views not only of the engineering marvel but also of the rainforest-covered landscape.
The most popular season for Panama Canal travel is the dry season, between December and April. This usually corresponds with cruise season too. If you'd like to save money and avoid crowds of tourists, the rainy season is a good option too. Everything is cheaper then and it usually doesn't rain until the afternoon. The only real drawback of traveling during this time is the uncomfortably high humidity levels.
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