Miraflores Visitor's Center

Enjoyed watching the boats prepare for the locks to drop, and then the water slowly let down, and the boats pretty much disappear from view until the gates open. The best part was the movie, excellent information and 3D made it so fun.

Very cool experience, a bit overpriced. You can only enter 1 time with your ticket and it includes a self guided walk through the building and observation bleachers and a 45 minute English documentary about the canal. Keep in mind the ships are not constantly passing through so you can end up visiting during a time where there are no ships and you cannot go back in to view a ship at a later time without purchasing an additional ticket. When we were visiting there was a 3 hour lull of no ships passing through.

We arrived without tickets on the day after Christmas and had to wait about 20 minutes. The ones with tickets waited like 10 minutes or less. Good experience especially if it isn't raining. They explain the operations a bit but not very well so a private tour might be even better. The imax movie in 3D was good and the food options and drinks before movie were good too.

First time in Panama. Had to check out the canal visitor center/IMAX was very informative. Got to walk right out back and see a ship going through the lock. Spectacular view!

Great place to visit to learn about the canal and see it in operation. $15 feet for non residents - this includes a 45 minute IMAX movie (in English). In Feb 2025 the small museum/display was closed for renovation. Outside views of the canal and ships going thru in AM and PM - no ships transit between about 11 am and 1:30 pm.

Entrance is ~17USD. The movie about the Channel is very informative and is a very good introduction to the lock. While I was there, no ship was passing… I don’t know if there is some way to inform about the next ships before visiting… At the center you can have a snack and purchase souvenirs.

I did not expect it to be this good honestly. The movie was well made and surprisingly interesting, the view of the canal is amazing and you can see huge boats go by if you come at the right hours. I came on a Saturday in the afternoon and it was very crowded so it was hard to get a good spot for pictures.

Great transit. You can clearly see the lift locks in function through three stages. Wonderful experience. We went on a partial transit.