Panama Canal Zone

Travel Guide

Bridge of the Americas (Puente de las Americas). Once known as Thatcher Ferry Bridge, near an industrial shipping zone in Panama close to the the Panama Canal.
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#Panama #Canal Gatun locks Por volta das 6 da manhã já tínhamos passado o quebra-mar que antecede as Gatun locks. Depois da passagem de alguns navios foi a nossa vez de sermos elevados 26 metros em 3 etapas até ao Gatun Lake. Atravessamos o lago, o Culebra Cut (Canal aberto nas rochas e em forma de cobra com 12,6 Km de comprimento), a Centenial Bridge e chegamos a Pedro Miguel Locks, que tem apenas uma câmera. Aqui descemos 9 metros para o Miraflores Lake. Lago pequeno e logo chegamos às Miraflores Locks. São compostas de 2 câmeras que nos descem até ao nível do Pacífico. Estes locks têm as gates mais altas devido às diferenças entre as marés do Pacífico. Atravessados estes locks chegamos ao Pacífico. Passamos ainda por baixo da ponte das Américas, que é parte da rodovia Pan-americana, que liga o sul da América do sul com o Alasca na América do norte. A travessia toda durou em torno de 9 horas. Durante a travessia os navios são auxiliados por pares de locomotivas. Dependendo do tamanho do navio, podem ser usadas até 8 locomotivas. A água que enche as câmeras, vem do Gatun Lake e são usados 197 milhões de litros de água para cada travessia. Por isso é de suma importância a conservação da floresta tropical em torno do lago. As dimensões máximas permitidas para os navios é 32,31 m de largura, 294,13 m de comprimento e 12,04 m de calado. Gatun locks By 6am we had already passed the breakwater that precedes the Gatun locks. After the passage of some ships it was our turn to be lifted 26 meters in 3 steps to Gatun Lake. We cross the lake, the Culebra Cut (Channel open on the rocks and snake-shaped 12.6 km long), the Centenial Bridge and we arrive at Pedro Miguel Locks, which has only one camera. Here we descend 9 meters to the Miraflores Lake. Small lake and soon we arrived at Miraflores Locks. They are composed of 2 cameras that descend us to the level of the Pacific. These locks have the highest gates because of the differences between Pacific tides. Through these locks we reach the Pacific. We still cross under the bridge of the Americas, which is part of the Pan American Highway, which connects southern South America with Alaska in North America. The whole crossing lasted around 9 hours. During the crossing the ships are aided by pairs of locomotives. Depending on the size of the ship, up to 8 locomotives can be used. The water that fills the cameras comes from Gatun Lake and 197 million liters of water are used for each crossing. That is why conservation of the tropical forest around the lake is of paramount importance. The maximum allowable dimensions for ships is 32.31 m wide, 294.13 m long and 12.04 m draft.

Where to stay in Panama Canal Zone

The buses of Panama.

Balboa

The restaurants and shopping are a few reasons travelers visit Balboa. Though there aren't many top sights in the neighborhood, you can visit Albrook Shopping Mall and Flag of Cerro Ancón, a few notable attractions nearby.

Balboa
Beautiful aerial view of the Beautiful aerial view of the Panama Channel on the Sunset

Barrio Sur

If you're spending some time in Barrio Sur, Colon Free Zone and Colon 2000 are top sights worth seeing.

Barrio Sur
#Panama #Canal Gatun locks Por volta das 6 da manhã já tínhamos passado o quebra-mar que antecede as Gatun locks. Depois da passagem de alguns navios foi a nossa vez de sermos elevados 26 metros em 3 etapas até ao Gatun Lake. Atravessamos o lago, o Culebra Cut (Canal aberto nas rochas e em forma de cobra com 12,6 Km de comprimento), a Centenial Bridge e chegamos a Pedro Miguel Locks, que tem apenas uma câmera. Aqui descemos 9 metros para o Miraflores Lake. Lago pequeno e logo chegamos às Miraflores Locks. São compostas de 2 câmeras que nos descem até ao nível do Pacífico. Estes locks têm as gates mais altas devido às diferenças entre as marés do Pacífico. Atravessados estes locks chegamos ao Pacífico. Passamos ainda por baixo da ponte das Américas, que é parte da rodovia Pan-americana, que liga o sul da América do sul com o Alasca na América do norte. A travessia toda durou em torno de 9 horas. Durante a travessia os navios são auxiliados por pares de locomotivas. Dependendo do tamanho do navio, podem ser usadas até 8 locomotivas. A água que enche as câmeras, vem do Gatun Lake e são usados 197 milhões de litros de água para cada travessia. Por isso é de suma importância a conservação da floresta tropical em torno do lago. As dimensões máximas permitidas para os navios é 32,31 m de largura, 294,13 m de comprimento e 12,04 m de calado. Gatun locks By 6am we had already passed the breakwater that precedes the Gatun locks. After the passage of some ships it was our turn to be lifted 26 meters in 3 steps to Gatun Lake. We cross the lake, the Culebra Cut

Cristobal

Travelers enjoy Cristobal for its churches and seaside views. Consider checking out Limon Bay while you're in the area.

Cristobal
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Gatun

The museums and monuments are just a few features travelers like about Gatun. If you want to do some sightseeing nearby, Gatun Locks and Canal Expansion Observation Center are a few top places to visit.

Gatun
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Coco Solo

If you're spending some time in Coco Solo, Colon Free Zone and Limon Bay are top sights worth seeing.

Coco Solo
Barcelona Christopher Columbus monument

Barrio Norte

While visiting Barrio Norte, you might make a stop by sights like Limon Bay and Monument to Christopher Columbus.

Barrio Norte
Marriott Panama Hotel

Marriott Panama Hotel

4 out of 5
Roosevelt Ave., Allbrook Mall Panama City Panama
The price is ￥25,622 per night from Apr 10 to Apr 11
￥25,622
￥28,184 total
Apr 10 - Apr 11
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Panama City. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,004 reviews)
Loved the location, the staff was very pleasing, will stay again

Reviewed on Mar 16, 2026

Marriott Panama Hotel
Radisson Hotel Panama Canal

Radisson Hotel Panama Canal

4.5 out of 5
Amador Avenue & Van Hook Street Panama City Panama
The price is ￥11,745 per night from Mar 24 to Mar 25
￥11,745
￥12,919 total
Mar 24 - Mar 25
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Panama City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
Poor quality rooms, mouldy with damp smell, changed 3 rooms finally found one without mouldy damp smell but realised later in the evening it had a loud humming sound of 65-70db continuous which disrupted our sleep and the en

Reviewed on Mar 17, 2026

Radisson Hotel Panama Canal
Hotel Riu Plaza Panama

Hotel Riu Plaza Panama

5 out of 5
Calle 50, Urb. Marbella Panama City Panama
The price is ￥24,925 per night from Mar 30 to Mar 31
￥24,925
￥27,417 total
Mar 30 - Mar 31
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Panama City. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (5,106 reviews)
Hotel is perfectly situated in the middle of the city, the hotel dos need some improvement as does look tired. Staff is amazing and the amenities are great. Breakfast is fantastic and service by the pool is also great.

Reviewed on Mar 17, 2026

Hotel Riu Plaza Panama
See all 1,694 properties in Panama Canal Zone
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
La Palma Aparta Suite

La Palma Aparta Suite

3 out of 5
Amador Downtown Panama City Panamá Province
Stay at this apartment in Panama City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Amador Causeway and Cinta Costera are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (7 reviews)
Me encantó muy organizado, muy limpio, las personas que trabajan en este hotel son muy amables volvería sin duda muchas gracias

Reviewed on Feb 17, 2026

La Palma Aparta Suite
Luxury Beachfront Condo in Playa Bonita, Panama City's best accommodation option

Luxury Beachfront Condo in Playa Bonita, Panama City's best accommodation option

Panama City Panama
Book a stay at this beach condo in Veracruz. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Amador Causeway and Albrook Shopping ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (48 reviews)
We are two couples that loved our stay! We felt immediately at home in the tasteful, bright, spacious unit. Very functional kitchen perfect for our needs. We loved sitting on the balcony with the beautiful view of the beach and mountains. The host provided excellent communication and helpful information ...

Reviewed on Mar 11, 2026

Luxury Beachfront Condo in Playa Bonita, Panama City's best accommodation option
Oasis with pool near panama canal

Oasis with pool near panama canal

Panamá Provincia de Panamá
Stay at this vacation home in Panama City. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a garden. Popular attractions Miraflores Locks and Albrook Shopping Mall are located ...
Oasis with pool near panama canal
See all properties in Panama Canal Zone
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Bridge of the Americas, Panama Canal,

Bridge of the Americas

4.5/5(600 reviews)

You can learn about the history of Arraijan when you stop by Bridge of the Americas. Amble around this vibrant area's seaside and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Bridge of the Americas
Nice view of the Las Americas Bridge from Cerro Ancon Hill. Best place to admire the Panama Canal, Panama City Skyline and see the nature. #LifeAtExpedia

Ancon Hill

4/5(58 reviews)

Explore the great outdoors at Ancon Hill, a lovely green space in Ancon. Check out the shops and top-notch restaurants in this vibrant area.

Ancon Hill

Albrook Shopping Mall

4/5(605 reviews)

You can enjoy some retail therapy with a trip to Albrook Shopping Mall, a favorite shopping spot in Ancon. Amble around this culturally rich area's seaside and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Albrook Shopping Mall

Colon Free Zone

3.5/5(25 reviews)

During your trip to Colon, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Colon Free Zone.

Colon Free Zone

Miraflores Locks

4.5/5(783 reviews)

Learn about the local history of Ancon with a stop at Miraflores Locks. Visit the shops and casinos in this vibrant area.

Miraflores Locks

Colon 2000

3.5/5(10 reviews)

During your visit to Colon, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Colon 2000. Stroll along this relaxing area's lakeside, or simply enjoy its restaurants.

Colon 2000

Cities near Panama Canal Zone

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Panama City

Protected nature surrounding Gatun Lake, a freshwater artificial lake to the south of Colón, Panama. It forms a major part of the Panama Canal

Colon

Adobe

Gamboa

Taboga Island Aerial View. Tropical island located in the Pacific near Panama City,Panama.

Playa Bonita Village