Determine what parts of the canal you’d like to see. \u00a0If your desire is to see the locks, then you can plan on Visiting the Gatun Locks that are on the Caribbean side or the Miraflores Locks if you’re visiting the Pacific locations.<\/p>\n
![\"Panama](\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/DSC_0636-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/a>Locks at Gatun<\/p><\/div>\n
Why you need to see the locks of the Panama Canal<\/h2>\n
These same locks have been operating for 100 years starting in 2014. \u00a0The only other things working from 1914 til now would be the elevator at the Biltmore<\/a>\u00a0and John McCain (Some people might dispute that he’s actually working). \u00a0Most things weren’t built to last like these locks were.<\/p>\n Although you might think that watching a ship go through the locks would take all day, think again. \u00a0Amazingly, the locks fill up faster than your bathtub. \u00a0With a one hour visit you’re almost guaranteed to see at least one ship go through the entire process. \u00a0The fee to see the canal definitely is minimal.<\/p>\n They’ve got a video at the Miraflores locks if you chose not to read the book that I recommended above. \u00a0I haven’t personally seen the movie, but it might be worth checking out.<\/p>\n These locks are within an hour of downtown Panama City, so you should be able to easily reach them as a day trip from Panama City. \u00a0The cost to see the locks is about $5 and they take the US Dollar as it is Panama’s official currency thanks to our efforts building the canal.<\/p>\n Unnamed Grave at the French Cemetery<\/p><\/div>\n If you’ve got an extra 45 mins then I’d recommend you drive up the old highway that leads to the Soberania National Park. \u00a0You’ll be able to see the Panama Railroad and every once in a while you’ll get a glimpse of the canal. \u00a0Stop and ponder at the French Cemetery that honors their efforts to build the Panama canal that ultimately ended in bankruptcy and scandal.<\/p>\n These locks are within 20 mins of Colon, Panama. \u00a0They are a little harder to find (everything is freaking hard to find in Panama), but they are really interesting. \u00a0You’ve got all three sets of locks in one location vs the Miraflores locks which has two locks, with the third close by.<\/p>\n My Family at the Gatun Locks of the Panama Canal<\/p><\/div>\n This place is also the ticket to the Forte San Lorenzo. \u00a0This Spanish Fort protected the entrance to the Chagres River, which kept out the pirates during the Spanish domination of Panama. \u00a0It is remarkably well preserved, and definitely worth a visit. \u00a0You’ve got to pass through part of old Ft. Davis, which was an American base that now looks more like a ghost town since we left the place in 1999.<\/p>\n You’ll want to make sure that you score the Club Carlson Credit Card<\/a> and stay at the Radisson 2000 Hotel & Casino<\/a> in Colon. At 15,000 Gold Points per night this place is a bargain! \u00a0The hotel comes with FREE breakfast that has lots of options and delicious fresh fruit. \u00a0 \u00a0Parking is free and they’ve got a 24 hour supermarket within walking distance, so you’ll always have access to something if you’re hungry.<\/p>\n Travel brings history back to life. \u00a0After reading about the canal in The Path Between the Seas,<\/span> you’ll have a greater appreciation for the canal and you’ll much better understand the sacrifice that came with its construction. \u00a0Make sure you get your hotel points and your airfare points so you can afford the trip. \u00a0Here is an easy way to pick up some US Airways miles:<\/p>\nWhy you want to see the Miraflores Locks<\/h2>\n
![\"Panama](\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/French-Cemetery-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>Why you want to see the Gatun Locks<\/h2>\n
![\"Gatun](\"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/DSC_0649-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/a>Visit the Panama Canal!<\/h2>\n
![\"Enhanced](\"http:\/\/img.zemanta.com\/zemified_e.png?x-id=a3f0376e-d885-4a07-a29f-f35e8f068086\")
<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"