Watch giant ships pass close by
From the multi-level deck at Miraflores, container ships, tankers, and cruise liners transit the locks in a way that still feels impressive more than a century after the canal opened.
Panama Canal
Discover the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal on a captivating Kosher tour
Duration
3 hours
Typical Time
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Travel Time
20 mins
Panama Canal Tour
Engineering marvel at Miraflores Locks
- Private tour for your group
- From $129/person
- Minimum 2 people
Before You Go
None
- Round-trip planning from Panama City
- Go Beyond support before and during the tour
- Kosher-aware itinerary planning available
Make It Yours
Add a second stop, adjust the pace, or fold this tour into a larger Panama itinerary.
- Amador Causeway · +$40/person
- Casco Viejo Walking Tour · +$40/person
Panama's engineering icon
The Panama Canal is most powerful when you see it move: ships rising and lowering through Miraflores Locks just meters away, with a guide connecting the engineering to Panama's history and daily life.
The museum makes the mechanics clear
Interactive exhibits explain the lock system, the canal's role in global trade, and the 2016 expansion that doubled its capacity.
The guide adds the missing story
Go Beyond adds the human side: construction challenges, economic impact, Panama's 1999 takeover, and what it is like to live beside one of the world's busiest waterways.
A Focused Canal Visit
Arrive
Head to Miraflores Locks Visitor Center with your guide.
Watch ships
Use the observation decks when vessels are moving through the locks.
Museum
Walk through the history, mechanics, and global trade story.
Ask more
Use your guide for the local questions that the exhibits cannot answer.
Late Morning Helps
The best ship-watching is often late morning, when larger vessels tend to transit through Miraflores.
Want The Water View?
You can also experience the locks from a vessel instead of only from the viewing deck.
Tour Highlights
- Watch colossal ships navigate the locks
- Expert guided commentary on history and engineering
- Breathtaking views of lush landscapes
- Learn about the canal's role in global trade
Want to Transit the Canal by Ship?
Board a vessel and experience the locks from the water, not just the viewing deck. Learn about the Canal Transit experience →
What to Bring
- Sunscreen
- Fresh Clothes
Photo Gallery
More Tours
Discover more of Panama with Go Beyond
