Experiencing the Panama Canal
Our visit to Panama would not have been complete without a visit to the Panama Canal. I had visited this modern marvel, many years earlier, while working in Panama. My husband had traversed the canal while on a cruise. Now it was time to take the kids. Perhaps for them they would be able to grasp the entire engineering feat of the canal better than I could.
The canal is an easy taxi or Uber ride from nearly anywhere in Panama City, and should only cost a couple of dollars. We drove in from El Valle de Anton, relying on GPS to get us there. Although GPS did the job, the streets are not well marked and nor is the entrance to the canal. It actually looks as if you are driving into a shipyard and not the Panama Canal museum. Then again, it is a working canal so—in that sense–you are driving into a working shipyard.
Parking is easy, with a large lot close to the entrance of the museum. When we arrived, we quickly discovered an Imax movie all about the engineering genius of the canal, its history, and future. We figured it would be a good idea to see it to get a better picture of the entire process. The added bonus was that the movie is in English, so there was no need to translate or read subtitles. I’d recommend taking the kids to see the movie first: it was a good overview of just how much work went into the canal, of the lives lost, the different cultures coming together for its creation, and how it changed shipping forever.
The Panama Canal Museum
We ventured to the museum after watching the movie and covered all four floors. On the first floor, the museum starts with the history of those who built the canal, people involved in building, creating, innovating, and executing to create what is todays Panama Canal. The next floor up is all about the importance of water for life, the canal, and has an interactive water exhibit. The 2ndfloor also showcases some of the animals and bugs in the area. By far, this was the kids’ favorite floor. The third and fourth floors of the museum focus on the engineering of the canal and how boats are brought through the canal. There is even a simulator that allows you to pretend you are guiding a boat through the canal. Our kids liked sitting in the chairs, picking up the 80s era phones, and pretending that they were canal operators.
On the top floor is an observatory deck. From there, we got a full view of the Miraflores locks, including the iconic administrative building (which was built in 1914 for the opening of the canal). In past years, you could watch an endless precession of boats coming in and out of the canal. Sadly we did not see any during the time of day we were there. The majority of the large container ships now go through the expansion canal. It is a good vista to take in the lock construction as well as the helper locomotives next to the canal. Looking up, we saw plenty of wonderful birds flying overhead.
The entire Panama Canal visit including the movie took about one hour and 45 minutes. It was kid-friendly and engaging. If you visit Panama, the Panama Canal is a must visit. Adjust expectations, let the kids learn some fascinating history and engineering, and carve out a small amount of time. The museum does have a restaurant with a nice buffet serving authentic Panamanian food. In the evenings they do have traditional dances preformed by professional dancers dressed in Traditional Panamanian clothes. Some might find it a nice option to combine a taste of Panama with a visit to the canal. My thought is to hop back to Casco Viejo and grab some food and nightlife there.
A special thanks to Magda de Moreno, Head of International Communications, Department of Tourism of Panama for providing Five Family Adventurers with entrance tickets to the Panama canal.
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Discovering El Valle de Anton, Panama in 2 Days
Wow! What a cool place to visit. It is definitely on my bucket list.
I would love to take my kids here some day. I enjoyed seeing all of the different parts of your visit. Thank you for sharing!
I’ve always wanted to cruise thru the canal. Looks like you had a great time!
We have visiting the Panama Canal on our list. I find it very fascinating.
That view of Miraflores is fantastic. I can’t remember if we’ve been to Panama on a cruise or not, but agree that the Panama Canal is a must when visiting Panama.
Fantastic way to educate kids via travel I bet they are so excited and learned so much.
How wonderful that the movie at the museum was in English! When we lived in Costa Rica, we only saw one movie because our kids got frustrated no being able to understand the Spanish.
It sounds like a neat place to learn history and experience some Panamanian culture in one morning of a trip to Panama.
I am intrigued about Panama Canal from reading your post now and would add it to my travel bucket list for when I visit Panama with my family. Saving this up for later.
What a great experience! I would love to visit the Panama Canal someday!
What a great adventure! I’ve got one that’s into learning about history like this so I’m sure she’d love visiting the museum.
This has been on our bucket list for a while. After seeing this I think we are going to need to bump it up the list! Looks amazing!
I hope you do, Panama is a great, beautiful country.
What a cool experience! The museum is really neat!
What a cool trip! Thank you for sharing!
What a great way for the whole family to learn! It’s good to know that it’s kid friendly!
That looks incredible and super child friendly too. Panama Canal will be added to our list!
So cool! I would love to visit the Panama Canal!
I would like to see the Panama Canal! This museum sounds like it really dives into the Canal and it’s history. Fascinating!
This is so interesting to me how the canal works and such. I really would love to cruise through it one day.
I haven’t had the chance to visit the Panama Canal, but it’s on my bucket list! Thanks for sharing.
I’ve only been to the airport. I’d love to actually visit some day!
i hope you do, it caught us by surprise of just how beautiful it is.
I would love to do a Panama Canal cruise one day!! It just fascinates me to know all about how these kind of things came to be.
Very cool. I’ve always wanted to go to see the Panama Canal. Another bucket list trip.
I have never been to Panama. It looks like you and your family had a great time.
We had a blast and it is a beautiful country.
The Panama Canal is something I have always wanted to do. Adding to my travel wish list and bookmarking for future reference! Thanks!
It is cool.
Someday I really do plan on visiting there. I would have such a fun time there. I just think the amazing structure and history behind it all. Just wild.
Omg! Such a great post and really comprehensive one. I am so glad I came across your post as I was planning to visit Panama canal soon. I sure will use your post for a future reference.
I hope you enjoy, it’s a great visit, a must really.
That is really cool! The Panama Canal is a feat of human engineering. My aunt and uncle once joined a Pacific-Atlantic cruise. She shared a video of their cruise ship entering the Panama canal. It’s awesome!
I love that there is a whole museum dedicated to the Panama canal and it actually looks like so much fun for kids. I bet learning about the animals and bugs in the area was interesting for all.
You are right about it being an amazing engineering feet, and what a great opportunity this was to teach your kids something so interesting.
It looks like a cool experience, especially the museum. I would love to visit Panama one day and see it for myself.
Wow definitely is a place that it is on my list!! an amazing engineer project!!!! And Panama also has amazing beaches. Need to go!
The way you described a single tourist spot is really amazing. Though I have not visited Panama, but in coming years if I visit I will sure go Panama canal.
Thank you. We really enjoyed visiting the canal. Even if it is not your interest, you really shouldn’t miss it for the sheer genius behind this engineering marvel.