From the Roman aqueducts to the entire city of Machu Picchu, there are places that will take your breath away with the sheer ingenuity of their design. Central America is home to one that gave an entire country a reason to exist in the first place and is still its main source of income. There are different options for Panama Canal travel that will make it possible for you to see this marvel in action.
The country of Panama is effectively split in two by it's most famous attraction. The Canal stretches over almost 60 miles between Balboa on the Pacific coast and Colon on the Caribbean coast. Ships used to have to sail around Cape Horn in order to travel between the Pacific and the Caribbean. This perilous voyage could take months but since the construction's completion in 1914, they now don't even need a full day.
A ship entering the Canal at Colon does so at sea level. When it reaches the Gatun Locks, it's raised many feet higher to the level of the Lago Gatun. It then traverses this man-made lake and a gorge known as the Gaillard Cut. At the Pedro Miguel Locks it's lowered about 30 feet and then a mile or so further at the Miraflores Locks, it's taken back down to sea level. Now it can sail on to Balboa and the Gulf of Panama.
An unforgettable experience is to be on board a ship as it passes through the locks. Try to find a cruise liner that will make the crossing. Otherwise, charter a smaller yacht or go with a tour company that offers packages that will let you sail from Balboa through the Miraflores Locks. Some tours continue on to Colon.
If your budget doesn't allow for a cruise package, you can try finding an on-board job. With a cruise liner this will usually be a contract for several months but there are many different positions available. For something short term, consider offering your services as line-handler on a yacht. Yachts that have to do the crossing often require line-handlers only for the day and your remuneration is the opportunity to join them for the voyage.
For a good view of ships going through the locks, travel to one of the locks by taxi. The most popular option is to go to the Miraflores Locks from the capital. A budget alternative is to take the bus from the capital to Gamboa, since you'll have the Canal in view for a large part of the journey.
A railway line follows more or less the same route from Balboa to Colon. A passenger train travels here once a day, with the ships to the west and the jungle to the east providing unforgettable views. It takes only about an hour to complete the journey.
The high season for Panama Canal travel lasts from December to around April. However, the rainy season usually have sunny mornings with showers only in the afternoons and this is a good time to travel if you want to avoid he crowds. To pass through on a cruise liner, you're dependent on the timing of the cruise season.
The country of Panama is effectively split in two by it's most famous attraction. The Canal stretches over almost 60 miles between Balboa on the Pacific coast and Colon on the Caribbean coast. Ships used to have to sail around Cape Horn in order to travel between the Pacific and the Caribbean. This perilous voyage could take months but since the construction's completion in 1914, they now don't even need a full day.
A ship entering the Canal at Colon does so at sea level. When it reaches the Gatun Locks, it's raised many feet higher to the level of the Lago Gatun. It then traverses this man-made lake and a gorge known as the Gaillard Cut. At the Pedro Miguel Locks it's lowered about 30 feet and then a mile or so further at the Miraflores Locks, it's taken back down to sea level. Now it can sail on to Balboa and the Gulf of Panama.
An unforgettable experience is to be on board a ship as it passes through the locks. Try to find a cruise liner that will make the crossing. Otherwise, charter a smaller yacht or go with a tour company that offers packages that will let you sail from Balboa through the Miraflores Locks. Some tours continue on to Colon.
If your budget doesn't allow for a cruise package, you can try finding an on-board job. With a cruise liner this will usually be a contract for several months but there are many different positions available. For something short term, consider offering your services as line-handler on a yacht. Yachts that have to do the crossing often require line-handlers only for the day and your remuneration is the opportunity to join them for the voyage.
For a good view of ships going through the locks, travel to one of the locks by taxi. The most popular option is to go to the Miraflores Locks from the capital. A budget alternative is to take the bus from the capital to Gamboa, since you'll have the Canal in view for a large part of the journey.
A railway line follows more or less the same route from Balboa to Colon. A passenger train travels here once a day, with the ships to the west and the jungle to the east providing unforgettable views. It takes only about an hour to complete the journey.
The high season for Panama Canal travel lasts from December to around April. However, the rainy season usually have sunny mornings with showers only in the afternoons and this is a good time to travel if you want to avoid he crowds. To pass through on a cruise liner, you're dependent on the timing of the cruise season.
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