The Panama Canal has three sets of Locks, two situated near
the Pacific coast (Miraflores & Pedro Miguel), and the third along the Atlantic (Gatun). Miraflores Locks, the most southern of
the Locks, has two chambers, while Pedro Miguel,
just to the north, has just one. Gatun Locks,
on the other hand, as all three sets of chambers
in a row.
The Miraflores Locks, due to their close proximity to Panama City and easy public access, is probably the most visited tourist site in all of Panama, more than Panama Viejo and Casco Viejo.
The lock gates at Miraflores are the tallest of the three (the others being Gatun and Pedro Miguel), which is due to the extreme tidal variation that takes place in the Pacific Ocean; the tidal variation on the Atlantic coast is by far less. Miraflores Locks are slightly over one mile long, from beginning to end.
The new visitors center at Miraflores Locks has recently opened to the public, and is open daily between 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The center faces the Locks, resides just in front of the control tower, and has four floors; from any of the three floors photos can be taken of the locks from their respective balconies. On the third floor there is a new restaurant, which is open to the public until 12:00 midnight. Inside the visitors center you'll find a small gift shop, exhibition salon, snack bar, and more. Upon entering, English and Spanish pamphlets can be obtained, which include photographs and information pertaining to the Canal's construction and operation. Throughout the day a bilingual speaker repeatedly comments on the Canal itself, as well as make reference to the boats that are transiting the Canal at that particular time.
The cost to enter into the visitors center is $8.00 for foreigners and $5.00 for Panamanian citizens. There is no limit as to the amount of time you can stay at Miraflores Locks.
Depending on the size of each vessel, one can see anywhere from 1 to 3 vessels, perhaps more, make the transit simultaneously. From the minute the vessels enters the locks, it takes approximately 10 minutes for the process to be completed. It is important to note that the water enters and leaving the locks by means of gravity only, as there are no pumps or other man made devices that assist in this process. For large commercial vessels, assistance is provided with multiple, land based, electric cars that run alongside both sides of the Canal, attached to the vessel by long cables. These cars help guide the vessel through the locks, however, the vessel, at all times, moves under it's own power.
Getting to Miraflores Locks
From Panama City, you can either take a public bus or taxi. The buses depart from a terminal known as "SACA", which is situated in downtown. From there you can take either of two buses, Summit Gardens or Paraiso.There are two style buses that service Miraflores, a newer air-conditioned bus and the older school bus style. The newer bus costs $0.50 and the older $0.35. During the hours of 4:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. these buses drive right to the entrance to the locks. At all other times you will have to get off on the main highway and walk approximately 5-10 minutes to the Locks. If you are not traveling during the above hours you should notify the driver when boarding that you would like to be dropped off at the entrance to Miraflores. The bus ride lasts approximately 20 minutes. When departing, there is a bus stop directly in front of the entrance on the main road, and you can return on any bus that passes by, as they all complete their route at the terminal.
Taxis charge approximately $6.00 - $8.00 one way, but you can hire a taxi by the hour for about the same amount of time, so if you plan on spending less than an hour there it might be best to just keep him there.
There is no visitors center at Pedro Miguel Locks, thus visitors are not permitted to enter the facility. You can observe the vessels entering and departing the Locks from the roadside, as the Locks is situated right along the highway.
Getting to Pedro Miguel Locks
From Panama City, you can either take a public bus or taxi. The buses depart from a terminal known as "SACA", which is situated in downtown. From there you can take either of two buses, Summit Gardens or Paraiso. The buses can drop you off along the main road.
Off all three sets of Locks those at Gatun might be the most impressive and worthwhile visiting. Due to the fact that all three chambers are connected, you'll have the opportunity to see the entire process completed in one set of locks; on the Pacific side the process is split into two distinct sets of Locks. It takes approximately 1.5 - 2 hours for a vessel to complete the transit at Gatun Locks, regardless of whether it's heading northbound or southbound.
A visitors tower does exist, which sits high up above the locks themselves. Open from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., it costs $5.00 p/p (foreigners only) to enter into the locks. While there is a rather large roof that overhangs the front portion, nice pictures can be taken from here. As in Miraflores, there are bilingual guides providing speeches during organized tours. Public bathrooms and drinking water is available. There is a small gift shop at the entrance, to the left side, where they sell souvenirs.
Getting to Gatun Locks
You can use public bus transportation or taxis. The public buses depart throughout the day from Colon's main bus terminal, however, they do not pass directly in front of the entrance. You will need to walk a bit, a few minutes at most. Taxis charge approximately $5.00 one way from Colon, and it takes about 10 - 15 minutes. The road leading to Gatun Locks is very poorly marked, in fact, it's not marked at all. So, if you are driving ask for directions.