Explore Colonial Panama & Miraflores Locks
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Port
Fuerte Amador (Panama City), Panama
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$105
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 5 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Founded in 1519, Panamá Viejo is the oldest European settlement on the Pacific coast of the Americas. It was laid out on a rectilinear grid and marks the transference from Europe of the idea of a planned town. Abandoned in the mid-17th century, it was replaced by a ‘new town’ (the ‘Historic District’), which has also preserved its original street plan, its architecture and an unusual mixture of Spanish, French and early American styles.
Air-conditioned transportation takes you 30 minutes along the Panamanian isthmus to the colonial area of Panama City. Head up the coastline to El Casco Antiguo and learn about the piracy that was rampant here in the old days and forms an integral part of this area's history. Caribbean, Republican, Art Deco, French and Spanish colonial styles comprise the architecture mix in this intriguing city.
Explore the Miraflores Locks, an integral part of the engineering marvel that comprises the Panama Canal. Immerse yourself in the experience at the Miraflores Locks Observation Center, where you can witness ships up close as they navigate through the locks. The lock gates at Miraflores are the tallest of the three, due to the extreme tidal variation that takes place in the Pacific Ocean; the tidal variation on the Atlantic coast is noticeably smaller. From the moment a vessel enters the locks, its transit through the lock takes approximately 10 minutes.
For a more enriching adventure, make your way to the nearby IMAX Theater. Here, you can indulge in an informative and captivating documentary about the Panama Canal, expertly narrated by Morgan Freeman. Panama Canal in 3D a Land Divided a World United offers an intricate exploration of the locks and the intricate mechanical operations that drive the canal's functionality. By the time you conclude your visit, you will have gained a comprehensive understanding of how the locks operate and contribute to the canal's operation.
Back on the coach, you'll pass the former Canal Zone, where the former American military installations are a reminder of the area's strategic importance.
Please note: At Plaza Quinto Centenario there are approximately 12 steps; a ramp is also available. Walking at Casco Antiguo is on cobblestones. You may encounter lines and/or delays. A light snack is provided. Depending on canal scheduling, you may or may not actually see vessels in the lock chambers. During renovation, the Exhibition Halls are closed at Miraflores Locks.