These days, Panama Canal travel is an attraction all by itself. Lots of people come to the country just for this experience. There's more to it than beaches and a tropical paradise with the chance to board a luxury cruise liner. On the contrary, the main draw for most visitors is the sheer curiosity of getting a first-hand look at a grand project that enables ships to cross over from one ocean to another.
The Panama Canal was a historic project that barreled through the Isthmus of Panama and linked the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in 1914. This was previously a 9,000-mile journey all the way around the southern tip of South America. Now, it's just a quick eight-hour trip down the middle via the Caribbean Sea and the canal.
It is no doubt an engineering marvel. But what made it such a big deal was the fact that it modified the earth's natural system of landmass and water linkages. This project fueled massive development on the West Coast of the U. S. And other regions that have a Pacific coast. One such development was the growth of cruise liners setting off from U. S. Ports on the Atlantic coast taking passengers past Caribbean ports and through to the Pacific side very quickly.
Others who want to get up close to the canal will likely have to fly in through Tocumen International Airport. Visa application procedures will be different for people from various countries, but everyone will need to have a passport, a return ticket, some cash or traveler's checks, and a $5 tourist card. The only exception is for U. S. Citizens on a cruise ship, who do not have to get the tourist card.
The Miraflores Visitor Center located in Panama City is the best way for people already inside the country to take a closer look at the canal. It has observation decks that allow people to watch giant ships being guided through the locks. It also has a nice restaurant, an exhibition hall and a gift shop.
One of the best day trips in the area is a day spent exploring Gatun Lake and its surroundings. This is a gigantic artificial lake that was created to feed the locks with the water required to raise and lower ships. These day trippers get to ride on motor boats out on the lake and poke around in the tropical jungle that surrounds the lake. The giant ships compete for visitors' attention with crocodiles, monkeys, exotic birds and iguanas.
Taking a leisurely cruise is more satisfying, but requires a bigger budget and a lot more time. An entire industry of cruise liners competes for passengers who want to take a Caribbean cruise on giant ships that can carry thousands of crew and passengers. Many offer an ocean-to-ocean full transit, while others may include a partial transit as part of the itinerary.
There are so many facets to Panama Canal travel that it's hard to manage the itinerary unless it's planned properly and undertaken under the guidance of a tour operator. There's the amazing journey through the canal, and the prospect of being able to explore Panama City, Gatun Lake and the rest of the country. Throw in a cruise with stops at various ports of call on the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts, and it makes for a pretty much unforgettable trip.
The Panama Canal was a historic project that barreled through the Isthmus of Panama and linked the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in 1914. This was previously a 9,000-mile journey all the way around the southern tip of South America. Now, it's just a quick eight-hour trip down the middle via the Caribbean Sea and the canal.
It is no doubt an engineering marvel. But what made it such a big deal was the fact that it modified the earth's natural system of landmass and water linkages. This project fueled massive development on the West Coast of the U. S. And other regions that have a Pacific coast. One such development was the growth of cruise liners setting off from U. S. Ports on the Atlantic coast taking passengers past Caribbean ports and through to the Pacific side very quickly.
Others who want to get up close to the canal will likely have to fly in through Tocumen International Airport. Visa application procedures will be different for people from various countries, but everyone will need to have a passport, a return ticket, some cash or traveler's checks, and a $5 tourist card. The only exception is for U. S. Citizens on a cruise ship, who do not have to get the tourist card.
The Miraflores Visitor Center located in Panama City is the best way for people already inside the country to take a closer look at the canal. It has observation decks that allow people to watch giant ships being guided through the locks. It also has a nice restaurant, an exhibition hall and a gift shop.
One of the best day trips in the area is a day spent exploring Gatun Lake and its surroundings. This is a gigantic artificial lake that was created to feed the locks with the water required to raise and lower ships. These day trippers get to ride on motor boats out on the lake and poke around in the tropical jungle that surrounds the lake. The giant ships compete for visitors' attention with crocodiles, monkeys, exotic birds and iguanas.
Taking a leisurely cruise is more satisfying, but requires a bigger budget and a lot more time. An entire industry of cruise liners competes for passengers who want to take a Caribbean cruise on giant ships that can carry thousands of crew and passengers. Many offer an ocean-to-ocean full transit, while others may include a partial transit as part of the itinerary.
There are so many facets to Panama Canal travel that it's hard to manage the itinerary unless it's planned properly and undertaken under the guidance of a tour operator. There's the amazing journey through the canal, and the prospect of being able to explore Panama City, Gatun Lake and the rest of the country. Throw in a cruise with stops at various ports of call on the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts, and it makes for a pretty much unforgettable trip.
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