THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Panama - page 144

TRANSITING THE CANAL
To fully appreciate the canal, you need to see it up close. Things may not be quite as
you'd expect - the gargantuan Panamax vessels (the largest on the canal) are manoeuvred
with surprising delicacy, while the banks of this vast commercial enterprise are lined with
jungle and spotted with unspoilt islands. In a partial transit from Gamboa to the tip of the
Amador Causeway (or vice versa) you get to experience the excitement of passing under
the impressive Bridge of the Americas, through the narrow Gaillard Cut and being raised
and lowered in the lock chambers of both Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks. The full
transit takes in the most breathtaking scenery, crossing Lago Gatún and weaving among
tiny forested islands. You'll glide past a silent stream of giant ships before passing through
the enormous Gatún Locks and terminating in Colón, from where it can be up to a two-hour
bus journey back to Panama City.
Although completing a full transit might hold a certain cachet, the advertised 8-9 hours
can often be a lot longer if you get caught up in one of the frequent log jams in Gatún
Locks. A partial transit provides enough excitement and interest for most people and if you
take a northbound trip, docking around 1pm in Gamboa, you can skip the bus transfer to
enjoy a drink at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort before getting the public bus back to the
city, with the added bonus of avoiding the inflated taxi fare from the causeway at the other
end.
The cheapest way to see the canal is to try and get a job as a line-handler - a person who
helps keep the boat positioned in the locks; it's a requirement for all transiting cruising ves-
sels to have four line-handlers. If you're interested, check out

panlinehandler.com .

INFORMATION AND TOURS
The two companies listed here offer similar trips, charging $175 for the full transit and
$135 for the partial, which includes a transfer between the relevant marina on the Amador
Causeway and the boat, bilingual guided commentary, soft drinks, meals and snacks. In the
tourist season (Dec-April) there are frequent transits; out of season there are fewer, with
a full crossing often only once a month. Various tour operators also offer canal transits,
though they all use the boats listed here - you're essentially just paying to be picked up
from your accommodation.
Canal and Bay Tours 209 2009, canalandbaytours.com . Two larger craft are used for
full transits, while the partial transit often employs the smaller Isla Morada , a 1912 wooden
vessel said to have been previously owned by Al Capone. All tours leave from La Playita,
Isla Naos, at 8am.
Panama Canal Tours 226 8917, pmatours.net . The company caters predominantly
to foreign tourists. Southbound partial transits leave from the Flamenco Marina at 9.30am