Panama Canal
The months in gold are when the weather, the crowds and the prices work out best.
The canal is worth visiting if you enjoy seeing large-scale engineering in operation. Aim to go between January and April when the weather is driest. Most people find half a day is enough to see the locks.
Prices and availability come from GetYourGuide. If you book through one of these we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Allow 3 to 4 hours for the visit.
Most visitors take a taxi or ride-share from Panama City.
Entry for foreigners is 20 USD at the Miraflores visitor center.
The 20 USD entry fee for foreigners is expensive and does not include food or drinks.
The experience
You will spend most of your time on a viewing terrace watching massive container ships move through the concrete chambers. It is a slow process that requires patience. The scale of the vessels compared to the tight locks is the main draw.
Expect heavy crowds if a cruise ship is currently transiting. The visitor center has indoor exhibits that explain the mechanics, which helps pass the time while waiting for a ship to arrive.
These are partner links. If you book through one we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It does not change which places we pick.
When to go
The dry season runs from January through April. This is the best time to visit because you are less likely to be rained out while standing on the outdoor observation decks.
Avoid the rainy months if you want to avoid humidity and sudden downpours. The canal operates year-round, but the outdoor viewing areas are much more comfortable when the skies are clear.
Practical realities
Budget for about 160 USD per day for food, local transport, and your entry ticket. Prices in Panama City can rise quickly if you stick to tourist-heavy areas.
Many visitors underestimate the heat. Wear a hat and bring plenty of water, as there is very little shade on the viewing platforms at the locks.
These search Amazon. If you buy through one we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It changes nothing about which places are on this site or what is said about them.
Common mistakes
People often arrive too late in the day. Check the shipping schedule online before you go, as transit times vary and you do not want to arrive when no ships are moving through the locks.
Do not expect a fast-paced tour. The transit of a single ship takes time. Bring a book or headphones if you plan on watching multiple vessels pass through.
Hotel and flight search by Trip.com. If you book through one of these we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
The Miraflores Locks visitor center entry fee is a steep $20 for foreigners.
The daily figure is an estimate and does not include flights. The exchange rate is real, and it moves once a day, not by the second.
The background
The Panama Canal (Spanish: Canal de Panamá) is an artificial 82-kilometer (51-mile) waterway in Panama that connects the Caribbean Sea with the Pacific Ocean. It cuts across the narrowest point of the Isthmus of Panama, and is a conduit for maritime trade between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Locks at each end lift ships up to Gatun Lake, an artificial fresh water lake 26 meters (85 ft) above sea level, created by damming the Chagres River and Lake Alajuela to reduce the amount of excavation work required for the canal. Locks then lower the ships at the other end. The original locks are 33.5 meters (110 ft) wide and allow the passage of Panamax ships. A third, wider lane of locks was constructed between September 2007 and May 2016. The expanded waterway began commercial operation on 26 June 2016. The new locks allow for the transit of larger, Neopanamax ships. An average of 200,000,000 litres (52 million US gallons) of fresh water is used in a single passing of a ship. The canal is threatened by low water levels during droughts. The Panama Canal shortcut greatly reduces the time for ships to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, enabling them to avoid the leng
More of Panama Canal
Guides that include Panama Canal
Questions people ask
Can I walk across the canal?
No, you cannot walk across the canal. You must view it from the designated visitor centers or take a boat tour.
Do I need a tour guide?
You do not need a guide to see the locks. The visitor center provides enough information to understand the engineering on your own.
Is the canal open every day?
Yes, the canal operates 365 days a year. The visitor center maintains regular daily hours.
Are there food options on site?
There is a restaurant at the visitor center. However, the prices are high and the quality is average.
Can I see the new locks?
The Miraflores visitor center overlooks the original locks. You need to travel to a different facility to see the newer, larger lane.
How do I know when a ship is coming?
Check the official canal website for the daily transit schedule. It is updated regularly with ship movements.