Panama Canal Museum

This museum offers very informative and nicely presented items on the canal history, in a beautifully restored historic building in old town Panama City. I enjoyed visiting this museum and highly recommend while in the area. There are numerous exhibits and informative items very well presented. It changed my perspective as to how incredible the canal project was. No problem finding parking and many stores/ restaurants nearby.

FYI, there is no movie here, like others have mentioned in reviews. It is, however, a very informative & well designed museum. It speaks extensively to the history of not just the region where the canal was built, but also the country itself! This is NOT at the canal, and there’s no movie here; that’s all at the actual canal, this museum is in the beautiful historic part of the city.

I enjoyed my experience at this museum and spent about a couple hours walking through the exhibits and reading about the history of Panama and the canal. It was great to learn about how the canal was built as well as the true stories of how workers were recruited and treated during the construction of the locks. I especially enjoyed the exhibit on the flora and fauna of the country.

The history of Panama is the history of the canal. The first floor is being renovated. The second and third floors have the bulk of the displays. The staff is friendly and helpful. Locals pay $5 tourists $15. Very interesting and worth the time to see.

The Panama Canal Museum offers a captivating and comprehensive exploration of one of the world's greatest engineering feats. Located in the heart of Panama City, this museum brings to life the remarkable story of the Panama Canal, from its ambitious beginnings to its lasting impact on global trade and Panama itself. The museum's exhibits are thoughtfully curated and engaging, using a variety of mediums to tell the canal's story. Historical artifacts, interactive displays, and detailed models illustrate the challenges faced during construction, the human cost, and the incredible ingenuity required to overcome them. You'll learn about the visionaries who conceived the canal, the laborers who built it, and the political and economic forces that shaped its destiny. The museum doesn't shy away from the difficult aspects of the canal's history, including the yellow fever epidemic and the complex relationship between Panama and the United States. The museum building itself, a beautiful colonial-era structure, adds to the overall experience. The staff are knowledgeable and passionate, eager to answer questions and provide further insights. Whether you're a history buff, an engineering enthusiast, or simply curious about this iconic landmark, the Panama Canal Museum is an absolute must-see. It's an educational, moving, and ultimately inspiring experience that will leave you with a deep appreciation for the Panama Canal's significance. Overall, the Panama Canal Museum is an exceptional museum experience that I highly recommend. It's a place where you can learn, reflect, and be amazed by the story of the Panama Canal.

Very expensive but extremely interesting. Phenomenal!!! Our 4 kids were super interested despite different ages and areas of interest. Could have spent 20 hours there! Prices for foreigners, especially with 4 kids, are really prohibitive!!!

This has to be one of the best museums I have visited in Central / South America and perhaps the world! It was $15 to enter for foreigners and it has two floors of exhibitions. Unfortunately, the first floor was closed for renovation when we were there but there is still more than enough information upstairs to keep you busy. It starts taking you through the history of the indigenous communities in the area, through the colonisation period to the building of the canal. The information is written in both Spanish and English!! It is quite information heavy but also houses a lot of artefacts from both older and modern times. In conclusion, it’s a must do if you are visiting Panama City and want an introduction to the country and its canal.

Excellent museum that goes over the history of the canal. From prehistoric times to current day events. Would have given 5 stars, but one of the eight rooms (construction of canal) was under renovation. The cost was still $15/adult. Would have given 5 stars if a reduced rate was given. Still well worth the price and visit. I spent over 3 hours here, but I like to read and see everything. The museum is a 15 minute Uber ride from the cruise port. Uber does pick you up at cruise port so don't let the taxi service at port fool you.