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 Canal is located in the Central American country of Panama, hence the name. It stretches from Balboa just west of the country's capital to Colon, almost 50 miles away on the other side of the isthmus that joins North and South America. Before it was completed in 1914, ships traveling between the west coast of the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean had to sail via Cape Horn and the journey took months. Now they can get from the Pacific to the Caribbean in no more than a 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.
There is no better way to see how the locks operate than to be on a ship or a boat going through them. Some companies offer tours that will take you through at least the Miraflores Locks but can take you all the way to Colon too. Another option is to charter your own yacht for the voyage. Most spectacular is to be on a huge cruise liner, though.
Because boat cruises through the Canal are expensive, you may want to consider the option of working on board. Many people find jobs on cruise liners but there is no guarantee that you'll get work on a ship that will sail these waters. A better option is to try and find a job as a line-handler on a yacht. This is seldom a paid position but you do get to make the crossing at the owner's expense.
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 best time for Panama Canal travel really depends on how you plan to travel. If you want to take a cruise ship, you'll have to wait for cruise season. From December to April the weather's best because it's dry season but in rainy season there are fewer travelers and prices are lower.
The Canal is located in the Central American country of Panama, hence the name. It stretches from Balboa just west of the country's capital to Colon, almost 50 miles away on the other side of the isthmus that joins North and South America. Before it was completed in 1914, ships traveling between the west coast of the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean had to sail via Cape Horn and the journey took months. Now they can get from the Pacific to the Caribbean in no more than a 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.
There is no better way to see how the locks operate than to be on a ship or a boat going through them. Some companies offer tours that will take you through at least the Miraflores Locks but can take you all the way to Colon too. Another option is to charter your own yacht for the voyage. Most spectacular is to be on a huge cruise liner, though.
Because boat cruises through the Canal are expensive, you may want to consider the option of working on board. Many people find jobs on cruise liners but there is no guarantee that you'll get work on a ship that will sail these waters. A better option is to try and find a job as a line-handler on a yacht. This is seldom a paid position but you do get to make the crossing at the owner's expense.
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 best time for Panama Canal travel really depends on how you plan to travel. If you want to take a cruise ship, you'll have to wait for cruise season. From December to April the weather's best because it's dry season but in rainy season there are fewer travelers and prices are lower.
About the Author:
If you are looking for a great source for Panama Canal travel click this link. To let Panama Jones be your guide to discovery for this one of a kind destination, see us on the Web today at http://panamacanal.com.
