Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Isla Galeta marine research and education centre
Isla Galeta • Tues-Sun 9am-3pm • $5; groups of under 10 people need to pay the guide's fee ($20) • 212
8191, stri.si.edu • No public transport, but a taxi from Colón including wait time will cost around $20, or it's
easily accessible by car (see the website for directions)
About 12km northeast of Colón lies Isla Galeta , which is actually a headland and home to
the Smithsonian's marine research and education centre . A far lesser known attraction than
Isla Barro Colorado, the centre is more on the scale of Punta Culebra (see Isla Naos ) , its main
attraction a modest boardwalk through the mangroves , where crabs and tree snakes can be
spotted. There's also an interpretive centre and a handful of exhibits, including touch pools
and the 15m skeleton of a Bride's whale. Given the high cost of a taxi here, it's only worth-
while if you have your own transport.
Gatún Locks and around
Eight kilometres southwest of Colón, accessible by bus or taxi, are the truly impressive
Gatún Locks . Comprising three sets of double lock chambers, they stretch for 3km, if you
include the approach walls, which made them the greatest concrete structure in the world un-
til the Hoover Dam's completion in 1930. The dam is to your left a couple of kilometres fur-
ther along the road after crossing the bridge below the locks - an experience which affords a
rare close-up of the tremendous studded steel plate breastplates of the lock's mitre gates.
Gatún Dam
Despite being the longest in the world when it was built, at 2.3km, and a brilliant technical
achievement, the earthen Gatún Dam is not as visually impressive as it should be, though
the curved concrete spillway at its centre can be an awe-inspiring sight when the floodgates
are opened following heavy rains.
Gatún Visitors Pavilion
Gatún Locks • Daily 8am-4pm • $5 • 443 8878
The poorly signposted Gatún Visitors Pavilion receives far fewer visitors here than at Mir-
aflores, though the viewing platform is breathtakingly close to the action, allowing you to
marvel at the magnitude of the operation. Unlike at Miraflores there is no commentary but
the centre does possess a small gift shop.
Centro de Observación de la Ampliación del Canal
Lago Gatún, on the eastern side of the new locks • Daily 8am-4pm • $15 • 276 8325
The new Centro de Observación de la Ampliación del Canal (Canal Expansion Obser-
vation Centre) overlooks the construction of the three new longer and wider locks and slid-
ing lock gates. Although you're further from the action than at Miraflores or even at Gatún
Locks, the elevated position on the side of a hill affords a panoramic view of both the locks
and Lago Gatún, which you don't get at the other sites. For the steep entry fee, you also get
two short videos (in English or Spanish) and access to a very short interpretive trail through
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