Linking the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Panama Canal is not only one of the most important shipping routes of the world, but also a varied tourism attraction. The fascination of the canal does not end with the locks of the canal and the ships going by, but also the artificial lakes of the waterway and the nature wonders found on the shores of Panama Canal offer interesting sites to be admired. Not to mention the big cities framing the canal, which show you the best of the city life in Panama.
Natural attractions. Both banks of the canal include many interesting nature sights such as jungle and diverse protected areas, as well as botanical gardens and zoos. The most famous of the nature attractions by the Panama Canal is Soberania National Park near Panama City, which is an ideal spot for birdwatching. There are cruises available through the Panama Canal, and you can sail through the canal also by your own yacht. Another popular outdoor activity by this famous canal is fishing in Panama Canal.
Panama City. The southern end of the canal is framed by the country's number one metropolis, Panama City. This large and vibrant city offers good possibilities for duty-free shopping in Panama City, varied tourist services and entertaining nightlife in Panama City. There are also cultural wonders such as internationally appreciated Casco Viejo, the colonial old town of Panama City, and Panama Viejo, the ruins of the old city to be explored, and nature wonders such as the rainforests of the city park Parque Natural Metropolitano to be admired. Panama City hosts a Canal Museum and provides easy access to the popular Miraflores locks where you can admire the canal and the ships going by.
From Panama City to nature parks: Attractions around Panama Canal
The famous Canal of Panama runs from the seaside capital Panama City in the south by the Pacific Ocean to Colón in the north by the Caribbean Sea. Only 50 miles / 80 km in length, Panama Canal shores host many interesting sights such as artificial lakes, largest of which is Lake Gatun in the northern part of the canal.Natural attractions. Both banks of the canal include many interesting nature sights such as jungle and diverse protected areas, as well as botanical gardens and zoos. The most famous of the nature attractions by the Panama Canal is Soberania National Park near Panama City, which is an ideal spot for birdwatching. There are cruises available through the Panama Canal, and you can sail through the canal also by your own yacht. Another popular outdoor activity by this famous canal is fishing in Panama Canal.
Panama City. The southern end of the canal is framed by the country's number one metropolis, Panama City. This large and vibrant city offers good possibilities for duty-free shopping in Panama City, varied tourist services and entertaining nightlife in Panama City. There are also cultural wonders such as internationally appreciated Casco Viejo, the colonial old town of Panama City, and Panama Viejo, the ruins of the old city to be explored, and nature wonders such as the rainforests of the city park Parque Natural Metropolitano to be admired. Panama City hosts a Canal Museum and provides easy access to the popular Miraflores locks where you can admire the canal and the ships going by.
Practical information for your stay around Panama canal
Weather in Panama is tropically warm with steady warm temperatures and humidity around all year round. Although temperatures are almost the same no matter which time you travel, amounts of rain in Panama vary greatly between different seasons.
Photo: Lyng883, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
The best time to travel to Panama Canal is during the dry season, which runs from January to April.
Visitor services. Panama is a growing tourism destination. Although tourist infrastructure of the country is still developing, good services for hotels near Panama Canal and restaurants near Panama Canal are available especially in Panama City. The northern side of the canal by the Caribbean Sea is less developed and safe.
How to get there. Flights to Panama City are widely available in the Americas, in addition to which this Central American destination is reachable by road from Costa Rica. Roads of Panama are generally good, and good availability of rental cars near Panama Canal offer a good possibility for making an independent tour around Panama Canal. There is also a scenic railway that runs along the canal. If you want to enjoy an organized trip, cruises in Panama Canal are also available.
Safety. Panama Canal area is Spanish-speaking and some Spanish skills are needed for independent touring. Although there are safety problems in some areas of the country and the city of Colón and some poor neighborhoods of Panama City are best to be avoided, most of the area of Panama Canal and Panama City are not dangerous travel destinations, especially if you follow normal caution procedures such as staying away from suspicious neighborhoods after dark and keeping your valuables hidden. Car doors should be kept locked when driving, especially in Panama City where there are also pickpockets in crowded places.
hint See also these nearby destinations: San Blas Islands
