Uncover the Wonders of Colon and Panama Canal

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Colon, Panama.

Colon, Panama

Colon welcomes you to one of humanity’s most extraordinary engineering endeavors, the Panama Canal.

This extraordinary waterway connects two of the world’s great oceans and, on opening, saved ships from an epic and treacherous 8,000-mile voyage around Cape Horn.

While the Atlantic Entrance is Colon’s main raison d’être, there is much more to this city on the canal’s grand gateway than first meets the eye. Take an old-world voyage on the regally romantic Panama Railway Canal, which preceded the canal and was constructed at extraordinary human cost to traverse Panama’s narrow land. The tracks have been rolling since the 19th century, and cozying up inside the historic carriages, with their gleaming glass ceilings and polished woods, is an elegant journey back in time to the period when this was the quickest route from the East Coast of the U.S. to California’s gold-rush dreams.

A side trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Portobelo is also a must. With its reef-rock fortifications built by the Spanish in the 17th century, these jagged jaws of coral were carved to cut off approaching pirates and conquistadors. It shares its World Heritage Site designation with nearby Fort San Lorenzo, which perches on an emerald-green cliff, casting its gaze over the harbor below.

Back in Colon, after staring in awe at the grand, clanging Gatun Locks, and splurging on a case of duty-free rum and trinkets from the Colon Free Trade Zone, a trip to the beach will soothe city-worn souls. Playa La Angosta is a rabble of raucous beach-going fun, where the blue waters swirl with bright banana boats and fleeting canoes. Relax on the sand among sizzling yuca fritters and families clamoring in the shade of cabanas. On the Caribbean side, Playa Chiquita is accessible only by boat, but it is rewarded with warm, gin-clear waters backed by thick rainforest.

Excursion description – Panama Canal Expansion

We discovered the history, operation, and expansion of the Panama Canal during this fascinating, full-day excursion to the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’.

Colon, Miraflores Locks Visitors Centre, Exhibition Halls, Huge Ships Crossing the Panama Canal

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 1.5-hour drive to the Miraflores Locks Visitors Centre. Upon arrival, take a moment to pause and view the gargantuan ships that pass through the series of locks on the Panama Canal; a truly fascinating sight. Afterward, visit the four exhibition halls, organized by themes that constitute the heart of this centre.

Agua Clara Locks, Agua Clara Visitors Centre, Expansion Observation Platform, New Traffic Lane

Next, re-board your coach and head to the new Panama Canal locks, the Agua Clara Locks, and enjoy a boxed lunch served en route. The Panama Canal expansion is currently the largest engineering project in the world. Upon arrival at the Agua Clara Visitor Centre, head to the Expansion Observation Platform. Here, you can see and learn about how the canal has been expanded through the addition of a new traffic lane. This new lane created two new sets of locks, one on the Pacific and one on the Atlantic, doubling the canal’s capacity and enabling longer, wider vessels to transit. At the conclusion of your tour, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Tonight’s Dinner was in The Atlantide Restaurant/