Panama Canal – Panama

When you think of Panama, you automatically think of the Panama Canal. Everyone has heard of it and most know what it is, but I have to admit until I visited the canal first hand I had no idea the scale and complexity of this waterway that connects the Atlantic (Caribbean) and the Pacific Oceans.

The canal was first started by the French in 1881, but construction stopped in 1994 due to engineering problems and high workers deaths. The U.S. took over the project in 1904 and the canal was opened on August 14th, 1914. The U.S. controlled the canal until 1999 when control was given over to the Panama Government.

The canal has been expanded to add a third, wider lane which recently opened as of June 26th, 2016, which now allows transit of larger, Post-Panamax ships, which have a greater cargo capacity than the previous locks were capable of handling.

It has been called one of the Seven wonders of the modern world.

Did you ever wonder where the Panama Hat came from?

Hat store

Well, they were originally made in Ecuador, and transported to the Isthmus of Panama for shipping to Asia, the rest of the Americas, and Europe. Hence the name came from the point of international sale, not their origins. President Theodore Roosevelt of the United States visited the construction site of the Panama Canal and was photographed wearing a Panama hat, which further increased the hats’ popularity.

The Miraflores Locks serve as the primary tourist destination to visit the canal and learn about its history. These locks are located a short distance from downtown Panama city on the west side. Here you can watch video’s on the construction of the canal, watch the locks in action from observation decks, visit the history museum, and of course purchase souvenirs.

The best time to tour and visit the Miraflores Locks is in the evening. Watching the ships sail through the locks at night with all their lights on is spectacular. The canal never sleeps and ships pass through 24 hours a day. Apparently, ships need to book passage through the canal months to years in advance.

You can also take a half day or full day cruise through the canal to experience more than just the locks, and visit Gatun Lake. There is also a canal train that travels the full length of the canal from either ocean. The last alternative to visiting the canal and its sights is to travel by car on Route 9 from Panama City (Pacific side) to Colon (Atlantic side) and back. Traveling by car gives you the opportunity to stop all along the canal route and take pictures, watch the ships sailing on Gatun lake.

Whatever method you choose to visit the canal, just do it. The visit will stay with you for the rest of your life. It is one of those “Bucket List” items.

Colon & Portobelo will be my next blog.