How to Visit the Panama Canal
Quick answerThe easiest way to see the canal is the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center, about 20 minutes from Panama City. To go through the locks yourself, book a partial transit cruise. Guided tours with hotel pickup make either option simple.
Miraflores Locks Visitor Center
Miraflores is the most popular way to see the canal. From the viewing terraces you watch ships rise and fall in the locks, and the museum explains how the waterway works. It sits about 20 minutes from the city, easy to reach by tour or taxi.
Partial and full transit cruises
A partial transit cruise takes you through one set of locks and along part of the canal, usually a half or full day. Full transit ocean-to-ocean trips run on select dates and take most of the day. Both are the most immersive way to experience the canal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I walk through the canal?
No, but you can watch from the Miraflores terraces or transit it by boat on a cruise.
Which is better, Miraflores or a transit?
Miraflores is quick and budget-friendly. A transit cruise is the full hands-on experience if you have a half or full day.