Miraflores Locks

There are several locks in the Panama City area, including the Miraflores, Pedro Miguel, Gatun, and Cocoli locks. Closest to the city, the Miraflores Locks are the only site set up for visitors. Explore the state-of-the-art 4-story Visitors Center, where fascinating exhibitions, video and 3D film presentations, and interactive displays chronicle the building of the Panama Canal, its history, how it operates, and the passage of ships through the locks. Tickets include access to the two viewing terraces with a prime view over the locks.

A stop at the Miraflores Visitors Center is a popular inclusion on Panama City tours, often in combination with a drive through the Panama Canal Zone, a photo stop at the Bridge of the Americas, or a walking tour of Old Town (Casco Viejo), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• On-site facilities include restrooms, a gift shop, and a restaurant with a view over the locks.

• Allow up to two hours for your visit, including time to watch the ships pass through the locks.

• Exhibitions are in both English and Spanish, and films alternate between English and Spanish language screenings.

• The Miraflores Visitor Center is fully wheelchair accessible.

The Miraflores Locks are located about 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) from downtown Panama City. Buses to Paraíso or Gamboa from the Albrook Bus Terminal will drop you off along the highway, an around 15-minute signposted walk to the locks. Alternatively, taxis are easy to find and will often agree on a round-trip price, depending on how long you want to spend at the locks.

The locks are most exciting when the big ships arrive—typically between 9am–11:30am, and 3pm–5pm—and an early start is the best way to avoid the crowds.

Built in 1914, the 51-mile-long (82 kilometer) waterway of the Panama Canal allows maritime traffic to pass along the narrow Isthmus of Panama, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans—saving ships an impressive 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 kilometers) of travel around South America. More than 14,000 ships pass through the canal each year, and many are purpose-built to fit through the narrow locks—just 110 feet (34 meters) wide.

The Miraflores Locks are one of the three sets of locks built on the Panama Canal. These locks enable vessels to pass to and from the Pacific Ocean. The Miraflores Locks are open for visitors to view the ships passing through; there is also a visitor center on-site.

Visitors go to the Miraflores Locks mainly to watch the ships pass through the Panama Canal. There is a viewing deck, terrace, and bleachers where visitors can watch the ships. Visitors can also explore four halls of exhibitions and watch a 3D movie in the IMAX theater.

Yes, the Miraflores Locks is a popular Panama City attraction suitable for all ages, including families and younger children. The youngest kids will enjoy seeing the ships rise and fall, but be aware that crossing between the locks is a relatively slow process requiring patient viewing.

A tour of the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center takes approximately an hour and a half, but spending up to three hours at this attraction is relatively easy. The visitor center has four exhibition halls showcasing the Panama Canal’s history and an IMAX theater screening a 3D movie about the Panama Canal.

Ships pass through the Panama Canal around the clock, but the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center and its observation areas are only open during daytime operating hours. The best time to visit to see ships passing through is early when the Visitor Center opens and within a few hours before it closes.

The Miraflores Visitor Center has a small concession area where visitors can purchase snacks and drinks. These light fare options are mainly meant for consuming while watching the vessels pass through the locks. There is no formal cafe or restaurant on-site that serves full meals.