A Half Day City and Panama Canal Tour in Panama City: The Ultimate Guide
Are you planning a trip to Panama City? While the city may be known for its historical buildings and vibrant culture, if you want to make the most out of your experience there, then a tour of the Panama Canal is a must-do experience. Whether you are looking to pay your respects to the historical significance of the Canal or just want to admire the beauty of this feat of human engineering, this guide will provide you with all you need to know to make the most out of a half day city and Panama Canal tour in Panama City.
This guide will take you through some key information on the Panama Canal, including historical facts, what to look out for on the tour, some tips to make the experience more enjoyable, and will also list some recommended tours you can book for a half day tour of the Panama Canal and city.
What is the Panama Canal?
The Panama Canal is a waterway running through the Isthmus of Panama from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. It was built during the 19th century and completed in 1914, allowing ships to cross between North and South America without having to go around Cape Horn, therefore shortening the journey significantly. It is now one of the most important channels for global shipping.
About the Panama Canal Tour
A half-day tour of the canal and city usually begins with a visit to the original locks that were used when it first opened in 1914. During this part of the tour, you will generally be allowed to walk around and explore the lock system up close. Depending on your tour operator, you may also be offered a guided tour of a museum which contains numerous artifacts relating to the canal and its construction.
The next stop on most tours is Miraflores Locks, one of two contemporary locks that ships use when they enter or leave the canal system. Here, people can stand at street level and watch how these giant vessels navigate their way through the lock system. Most tour operators provide binoculars and commentary from the boat captain to make this experience even more enjoyable.
Next up on the tour is often a visit to the Amador Causeway, a 4km causeway linking four islands off Panama City. From here, people can get excellent views of both the city and canal, making it popular with tourists. Certain tours also stop at an aquarium located at the end of the causeway, where they can admire some local marine life up close.
The last part of many tours is visiting Casco Antiguo, the old Spanish quarter of Panama City. Here people can enjoy a unique view of history, walking streets among colonial buildings from centuries past. Depending on your tour operator, you may also be taken to other attractions in Casco Antiguo such as a local market or café.
Tips for getting the Most Out of the Tour
Whether it’s your first time visiting or you’ve seen it before, there are certain tips that can help make your tour of the Panama Canal even more enjoyable:
- Make sure to pack sun block, as much of the tour will be outside and it can get hot.
- Tours tend to take place in the morning between 6 am and noon. Make sure to be well rested so that you don’t miss out on any part of the experience.
- Most tours offer refreshments onboard, but if you want to be sure that you have enough snacks and drinks then bring your own.
- If you plan to visit one of the aquariums then don’t forget to bring your camera.
- Try to get to the Miraflores Locks early so you can get an unobstructed view of vessels entering or leaving.
- Finally, don’t forget to take a few photos from your time at Casco Viejo or anywhere else during your tour. These types of experiences stay with us for life and what better way to remember them than through a few good photos!
Recommended Panama Canal Tours
If you are looking for a good half day tour that takes in the Canal and City centers then here are our top recommendations all confirmed as still operating:
| Tour Name | Location | Additional Info | Book this Tour? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half-Day Panama Canal Cruise from Panama City | Panama City Harbour | Enjoy an exclusive cruise through the Panama Canal with an included lunch on board. | Book now |
| Panama Canal Cruise and Old Town Tour | Amador Causeway | Explore the Panama Canal with a visit to Casco Antiguo included. | Book now |
| Half-Day Tour of Panama’s Canal & Old Town | Casco Antiguo | Learn about history and culture in this half day tour of Casco Antiguo. | Book now |
Conclusion
A half day tour of both city and canal in Panama City really provides a great way to get an insight into both new and old world of this beautiful country. With such a personal experience, it really opens up an opportunity to learn more about what makes this place such an iconic part of world culture and history. Hopefully with this guide you now have enough knowledge and resources to ensure that you get the most out of your experience when exploring a half day tour of the city and canal in Panama City. If you’re looking to book a great half day city and canal tour in Panama City then why not check out one of our recommended tours above now?
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