Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of society are pessimistic that the government can actually pull off the project at
its stated price tag.
Financing the project requires US$2.3 billion in loans from various foreign
government-owned banks, in addition to funding by the Panamanian government
and the Panama Canal Authority. Since it's estimated that the value of tolls will in-
crease significantly over the next 20 years, the hope is that the expected flow of
post-Panamax vessels through the canal will eventually pick up the tab.
Sights
1
Miraflores Locks
Miraflores Visitors Center
MUSEUM
( 276-8325;
www.pancanal.com
;
viewing deck/full-access US$5/8; 9am-5pm)
The easiest
and best way to visit the canal is to go to the Miraflores Visitors Center, located just out-
side Panama City. The recently inaugurated visitors center features a large, four-floor in-
teractive museum, several viewing platforms and an excellent restaurant serving sumptu-
ous buffet spreads within panorama view of teh canal transit. Tip: the best time to view
big liners passing through is from 9am to 11am and from 3pm to 5pm, when they are
more frequent.
To get there, take any Paraíso or Gamboa bus from the Albrook Bus Terminal in
Panama City. These buses, passing along the canal-side highway to Gamboa, will let you
off at the 'Miraflores Locks' sign (US$0.35) on the highway, 12km from the city center.
It's about a 15-minute walk to the locks from the sign. Otherwise, you can take a taxi;
there's a 30-minute wait at the locks and from there you get driven back to the capital.
Expect to pay no more than US$20 for the round-trip - agree on the price beforehand.
