Excursion of the Panama Canal Miraflores Lock, Aguas Claras
Description
Why book this tour with us? Because it’s not just a tour of the Canal — it’s an experience carefully designed to let you see, understand and feel the magnitude of the Panama Canal from two unique perspectives: the Pacific and the Atlantic. ✅ Full and balanced visit: It includes Miraflores and Aguas Claras in a single day, something few operators offer efficiently and comfortably. ✅ Expert and passionate guides: Clear explanations, historical data and curiosities that transform the visit into a living history. ✅ Comfortable and punctual transportation: Private vehicles with air conditioning and personalized attention from the beginning. ✅ Local touches: Recommendations, special stops (like viewing points or photo spots), and direct attention throughout the tour. ✅ 24/7 assistance and flexible coordination, ideal for cruise passengers, families or travelers with stopovers. You don’t just visit the Channel: you live it, you understand it and you get it as a unique experience.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Located on a hill within the old Canal Zone, this imposing Italianate Revival-style building was opened on July 15, 1914. Taking advantage of the natural light and elevated environment, it offers a unique architectural experience. Upon entering, you will be impressed by its central dome, high ceilings, dramatic murals, towering columns and marble floor. The main roundabout is the heart of the building, where elegance blends with history. One of the highlights is its pink Tennessee marble staircase, accompanied by a refined mahogany handrail, symbol of the luxury with which it was built. This point forms a key part of the Panama Canal tour, as it represents not only the canal’s engineering, but also the cultural legacy of the time. An unmissable visit for lovers of Panamanian history, architecture and identity.
The Panama Canal has three lock systems, two of which are located on the Pacific side. The Miraflores Locks are the closest to Panama City and represent one of the most emblematic points to observe the operation of the Canal. There is the Miraflores Visitor Center, an interactive space that offers an educational and visual experience. Inside, visitors can appreciate models, mechanical models, historical objects and a series of informative videos that allow to understand the magnitude of this engineering work. From its terraces, you can watch live the transit of large vessels through the gates, while expert guides explain every detail of the process. It is an unmissable stop for those who want to know in depth the history, functioning and impact of the Panama Canal worldwide.
The Aguas Claras Locks are part of the Panama Expanded Canal, also known as the "Next Generation Canal". Located on the Atlantic coast near the city of Colón, these locks were opened in 2016 as part of the expansion project that allows the passage of large ships, known as neo-panamax. The modern Aguas Claras Visitor Center offers breathtaking views from a covered viewpoint, where visitors can watch in real time as these giant vessels transit through the new locks. In addition, it has ecological paths and educational areas that explain the operation of the hydraulic system, the technology used and its environmental impact. This experience allows us to appreciate the magnitude of one of the most important engineering works of the 21st century and perfectly complements the visit to the historical locks of Miraflores.
On the Atlantic coast of Panama is the city of Colón, a vibrant city, rich in history and known for its Caribbean cuisine, its Afro-Antilian roots and its strategic location. Columbus is home to the Columbus Free Zone, one of the most important free zones in Latin America. This first-generation commercial area functions as a great center for importing, storing, packing and re-exporting products from all over the world. In addition to its economic role, the city offers a unique cultural experience with a mix of colonial architecture, local traditions and intense flavors. Its proximity to the locks of Aguas Claras and the Panama Canal makes it an ideal stop to complement any tour of the country.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
* Pickups are at all hotels in the center of Panama City. * All passengers must be at the agreed time in the lobby of the Hotel.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Company duly registered with the Tourism Authority of Panama. License 675 - AV
Reviews(4)
Guillermo was a great guide and driver. The hour drive to Agua Claras was well worth it as the locks were clear of crowds. Well worth the trip!!
I really enjoyed to visit the different locks along the Panama Canal. Especially the visit at the new Locks (Aguas Clares) was really a scoop (but I could have used much more time here). And by a very good luck I saw the cruise ship (which I was going to sail onboard north via the canal two days later) heading south towards Panama City. Everybody talk about saling on he Panama Canal. but was also very interesting for me to watch the ship movements from "the shores" of the canal.
Thank you for helping us with your comment, they are very important. Let customers know the experiences lived.
Edgar was a knowledgeable tour guide and we were fortunate to have had him as our tour guide. However, contrary to the advertised description of the tour it does NOT include lunch. Beware of this because you will need to take a snack with you. The trip is long and you will get hungry along the way. This is important!
First, a thousand apologies, for what happened it was a mistake by our staff, as a young woman from the operations department she was incapacitated and the assistant did not notice the cost of lunch. Please excuse us. The accounting department has already proceeded with the reimbursement of the same. Thank you for this comment, this helps us to see our faults and proceed with the corrective measures so that it does not happen again.
