Difficult to visit Panama without going to see the famous Panama Canal. Even if this visit did not excite me too much, I decided to devote the morning of our 11th day in Panama to it. I will add to this visit (for more nature and pleasure) the discovery of the surroundings of Panama Canal with in particular the magnificent Soberania national park, Gamboa and Gatun lake.
Program of our day around the Panama Canal
8h00: Visit of Panama Canal withMiraflores lock
10:30 p.m .: Soberani National Parka
15:00 p.m .: Visit of Gamboa and around the Gatun lake
How to get to the Panama Canal?
To get to the Miraflores locks, take Metro line 1 and get off at the last station. This is connected by an overhead walkway to the bus terminal. In this bus station, look out for the white and orange buses: these are the metro-buses. There is one direction Miraflores that you can take for the price of a metro ride.
As we took advantage of the services of Juan, our private driver (reservations@24transporte.com), we preferred to go there by car so that we could discover the surroundings of the Panama Canal.
By car, we pass by Balboa along the old American military zone and we discover the headquarters of the administrations of the Panama Canal. Juan explains that a large part of this area totally under the hands of the Americans was even off limits to Panamanians. We also pass in front of the French cemetery. This cemetery being virtual because it was established in memory of the thousands of French workers who died in the Panama Canal during its construction.
How to visit the Panama Canal?
There are 3 locks on the Panama Canal (a fourth is under construction), two of them are open to the public. These are the Gatun lock and the Miraflores lock which is the most touristic. We go to the Miraflores lock.
We left early in the morning to be there at 8am when it opened (it's between 8am and 10am or after 15pm that the big ships pass).
It is accessed by entering the visitor center. There, I advise you to go directly to 4nd upstairs to see the big cargo ships that pass one of the most famous canals in the world that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. We enjoy watching these huge ships pass through locks with a record in the background that tells everything you need to know about this incredible feat of engineering. Then you can watch a film and visit the museum dedicated to the canal and its construction.
Entrance costs 20 USD and the visit takes approximately 2 hours.
What to see around the Panama Canal?
Even though visiting the Panama Canal turned out to be interesting, I must admit that I found the second part of the day much more exciting! Indeed, the Soberania national park and Gatun Lake, the two main places of interest around the Panama Canal, were able to really please me and meet my desires for nature.
What to see near the Panama Canal - Soberania National Park
True tropical forest just 25 km from the center of Panama City, this park has 22 hectares of protected areas and allows easy immersion in a lush and wild environment.
The forest is home to 525 species of birds and offers an observation route in search of certain species such as cuckoos, trogons or cayenne cotingas.
I advise you to go directly to the observation tower which allows you to climb 40 m high to overlook the canopy and admire tropical birds. Then, you have to take all your time to follow the signposted path and listen to the animals while trying to blend in with this magnificent setting.
Maybe it was exceptional but it seemed to us that we were the only 2 tourists in the park. Indeed, during our 3h30 walk and observation, we only encountered animals and yet, we had not privatized the park! I must say that we let ourselves be charmed by the hummingbirds and did not see the time pass ...
By being patient and very quiet, you can come across coatis, howler monkeys, capuchins and sloths.
Admission is 20 USD.
What to see near the Panama Canal - Gatun Lake
Le Gatun lake is an artificial lake that was created for the construction of the Gatun Dam on the Chagres River. This dam was itself built for the construction of the Canal.
Forming a channel between the islands, this lake is also used as a reservoir to supply water to the canal locks. The seasonality of precipitation makes the presence of the lake obligatory as a reservoir.
The lake, islets, tropical forests and mangroves make this environment a place that I found exceptional. The panorama is very beautiful as well as the flora and fauna of this environment, far from mass tourism.
Themed excursions such as the "ecological" day combining discovery of the tropical forest by cable car and boat trip on Gatun Lake are offered at the hotel " Gamboa Rainforest Resort " (see below).
Best hotel near the Panama Canal
Here is my tip for staying in an exceptional environment to enjoy the forest, rivers and gigantic Gatun Lake: the hotel Gamboa Rainforest Resort. For 100 Euros per night, you are in a 5 * hotel with an area of 100 hectares of tropical rainforest in Gamboa.
I really loved this hotel with its decor from the 50s and its simply beautiful and incredibly exotic environment!
Panoramic view from the hotel terrace
If you are looking for a cheaper hotel
do not hesitate to take a look at