The Panama Canal in a nutshell
The canal cuts across the narrow part of Panama for about 50 miles (80 km) between the Atlantic and the Pacific. Ships do not sail at sea level. Locks lift them to Gatun Lake, about 26 m (85 ft) above the sea, and lower them again on the far side. A ship needs 8 to 10 hours on average for the whole trip.
You can see all this in three ways. The easiest is a visit to a locks viewing platform, close to Panama City. The most memorable is a boat tour that goes through some of the locks yourself. The third is a cruise that crosses the canal as part of a longer voyage. This site explains all three, plus Panama City and the rainforest around the canal. It is an independent guide and has no link to the Panama Canal Authority or to any tour operator.
How the canal works
The original route runs from the Pacific side through the Miraflores Locks, Miraflores Lake and the Pedro Miguel Lock, then along the Culebra Cut to Gatun Lake. The Gatún Locks lower ships to the Atlantic. Old locks use locomotives to keep a ship centered in the chamber.
Since 26 June 2016 a second route with a third lane has existed: Cocolí Locks on the Pacific side and Agua Clara Locks on the Atlantic side. Tugs guide the big ships there. The old locks were not replaced, so a ship passes either the original or the expanded locks, not every complex in a row. The page on the map and locks shows the route step by step.
Our picks: Panama Canal tours
A partial transit by boat, the lake and Miraflores, and a half day in the city.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Southbound partial canal transit with lunch
Six hours by boat with lunch, unlimited water and soft drinks and a bilingual guide.
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Gatun Lake boat tour and Miraflores Locks
Transfer from a downtown hotel, a boat tour on Gatun Lake and entry to the Miraflores visitor centre, which costs $17.22 for non-residents when bought on its own.
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Panama City and canal half-day tour
A bilingual guide, air-conditioned transport, water and snacks, and a walk through Casco Antiguo. Canal visitor centre entry is only included with the matching option (the official Miraflores ticket costs $17.22 for non-residents), and BioMuseo is seen from outside.
Check availability →Panama Canal tours and day trips
Boat transits, lake cruises, rainforest visits and city tours around Panama City, with live prices and availability.
Plan your visit
The main pages of this guide, in the order most people need them.
Panama Canal tours compared
Boat transits, lake cruises, village visits and visitor centers, and what each one gives you.
Partial transit
Five to six hours on the water through the Pacific side locks and the Culebra Cut.
Miraflores Visitor Center
Tickets, hours, the film and the viewing platforms, plus Agua Clara on the Caribbean side.
Map and locks
Which locks are where, and how the old and the expanded canal differ.
Gatun Lake
Boat trips, monkeys on the islands and the rainforest of Soberanía National Park.
Panama Canal cruises
Full and partial transits, the season and where the ships dock.
Beyond the canal
Panama City and the communities of the canal basin.
Things to do in Panama City, Panama
Twelve experiences from the old town to the Biomuseo and the Amador Causeway.
Casco Viejo
The colonial district with its plazas, the cathedral and rules for walking it at night.
Visiting an Emberá village
How a community visit works, what the park fee covers and how to behave as a guest.
History of the canal
From the French attempt of 1880 to the handover in 1999 and the expansion of 2016.
Best time to visit
Dry and green season, monthly temperatures and rainfall.
Where to stay
Casco Viejo, the waterfront, Albrook and Amador compared by location.
What to know in autumn 2026
Operating notes that older guides do not have. Status as of 19 October 2026.
Fewer ships, not a closed canal
Because of a water deficit the Canal Authority set 33 daily slots from 15 October 2026 and a maximum draft of 49 feet (14.94 m) for the largest ships until further notice. The canal is open. Whether a specific tour runs on your date is a question for the operator.
Map and locks →Chagres National Park reopened
The park closed on 30 August 2026 because of high river levels and reopened on 1 September from 8:00 am. Emberá visits on the Chagres River depend on river conditions, so ask before you travel.
Emberá village visit →New fare system on the Metro
Fares stayed at $0.35 on Line 1 and $0.50 on Line 2, but the switch to new card validators caused queues in September. Allow extra time at peak hours.
Panama City →Earthquake on 9 October 2026
UK travel advice reported a preliminary magnitude 7.6 earthquake about 39 km west of Tonosí on that date. The first tsunami warnings were lifted. Check your government's travel advice before you fly.
Getting to the canal from Panama City
The locks and the boat piers are all within reach of the city.
Miraflores by bus or taxi
MiBus route C810 runs from Albrook to Miraflores. A rider card is required and the Troncales fare is $0.25. Check the current timetable before you go.
Amador and the piers
MiBus route C850 links the Albrook Metro station with Amador, where the Biomuseo and the boat tour piers are. Tour departures are early, and a hotel transfer is not always included, so check how you get to the pier.
Agua Clara is a day trip
Agua Clara lies near Colón on the Caribbean side, a separate trip from Panama City. Plan your return before you leave.
Panama Canal: frequently asked questions
Can tourists go through the Panama Canal by boat?
Yes. A partial transit takes 5 to 6 hours and passes through some locks and the Culebra Cut. A full transit from ocean to ocean takes 10 to 11 hours. Both run on set dates, not daily. Cruise ships also cross the canal as part of longer voyages.
How much does the Miraflores Visitor Center cost?
In 2026 non-resident adults pay $17.22 and children from 6 to 12 pay $7.22. Children under 6 enter free. The IMAX film is included. The center is open daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, and the ticket office closes at 5:00 pm.
How long does a ship take to cross the canal?
The Canal Authority gives an average of 8 to 10 hours per ship. A tourist boat trip is shorter or longer depending on the type, so the figure does not describe your tour.
Is the canal affected by the drought?
Water levels in the canal basin cut daily transits and ship drafts in 2023 and 2024, and again in 2026. From 15 October 2026 the limit is 33 daily slots and a draft of 49 feet for the largest ships. Visitors can still see ships and book boat tours, but ask your operator about your date.
What is the best time to visit Panama?
Panama's tourism board describes roughly December to April as the dry season. October is the wettest month in the historical records for Panama City. The page on the best time to visit has the monthly figures.
Is this the official Panama Canal website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the Panama Canal Authority, the Government of Panama or any tour operator, and prices shown are those published at the time of writing.