Colón, Panama

Miraflores Locks & Panama Canal Expansion Observation Center

The Engineering Wonder That Connects the Atlantic and Pacific Witness the engineering ingenuity of the Panama Canal and the precision of the Miraflores locks in action. Since opening more than 100 years ago, over a million vessels have traveled through the famous waterway, connecting culture and commerce from around the world. The locks were one of the greatest engineering feats ever undertaken when they opened in 1914. No other concrete construction of comparable size was carried out until the Hoover Dam. At the Miraflores Visitor Center, watch an IMAX movie about the canal and see the Miraflores locks from a unique perspective while visiting the operational area with a private guide from the Panama Canal Authority. After lunch, visit the Panama Canal Expansion Observation Center to learn more about this engineering marvel and the massive Panama Canal Expansion Project, which doubled the waterway’s capacity when completed in June 2016. Please note: closed-toe shoes are required to participate on this tour. * Moderate - Walking portions may be long and somewhat challenging with occasional step-ups, stairs and inclines. Total time walking or standing normally ranges from 1.5 to 3 ho