PANAMA CITY

Panama links North and South America and divides the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Panama Canal Facts

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Miraflores Locks

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Each of the lock gates weigh nearly 700 tons which is more than the weight of 300 elephants.

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The time it takes to pass through the lock varies by ship size. The one I saw took around 45 minutes.

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The observation deck at the Miraflores Visitor Center is the best place to watch the ships traverse the canal.

The Panama City skyline turned out to be bigger than I had expected it to be.

There are some unique buildings in Panama City such as the spiral F&F Tower, seen above.

Casco Viejo

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Paseo Las Bóvedas was originally part of Panama City's defense against pirate attacks. It stretches several blocks and is a great place to pick up souvenirs.

Try a local beer. Panama & Balboa are the two most popular beers in the city.

If you like seafood, you should explore Mercado de Marisco which is close to Casco Viejo district.

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Cathedral Tower in Panama Viejo is part of the ruins of the old capital city.

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A 45-minute drive from the city will take you to Panama Rainforests Discovery Center.

Take an aerial tram ride at Gamboa Sloth Sanctuary.

PANAMA CITY

And, there is more to see and do in and around the city.

A Racquet Social Travelogue

Panama Canal is a Must-see Engineering Marvel

Panama links North and South America and divides the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Panama Canal Facts

Length of the canal: 82 km

Max ship length allowed: 1200 ft

Number of lock sites: 3

Time it takes to cross the canal: ~12 hrs

Number of ships that cross annually: ~14,000

Miraflores Locks

The gates open ever so slowly

There are 3 lock sites, 2 lanes, and a total of 6 locks per lane. The locks operate to raise (and lower) ships 85 ft above sealevel.

Each of the lock gates weigh nearly 700 tons which is more than the weight of 300 elephants.

The time it takes to pass through the lock varies by ship size. The one I saw took around 45 minutes.

Tug boats assist ships through the canal

The observation deck at the Miraflores Visitor Center is the best place to watch the ships traverse the canal.

The Panama City skyline turned out to be bigger than I had expected it to be.

There are some unique buildings in Panama City such as the spiral F&F Tower, seen above.

Casco Viejo

The historic district is a designated World Heritage Site and is ideal for walking around and enjoying local cuisine.

Paseo Las Bóvedas was originally part of Panama City's defense against pirate attacks. It stretches several blocks and is a great place to pick up souvenirs.

Try a local beer. Panama & Balboa are the two most popular beers in the city.

If you like seafood, you should explore Mercado de Marisco which is close to Casco Viejo district.

Cathedral Tower in Panama Viejo is part of the ruins of the old capital city.

A 45-minute drive from the city will take you to Panama Rainforests Discovery Center.

Take an aerial tram ride at Gamboa Sloth Sanctuary.

Admire the rainforest ecosystem

Stop at the Gamboa Rainforest Reserve for some refreshments and enjoy the magnificent views.

PANAMA CITY

There's more to see than the canal...