Agua Clara Locks
Agua Clara Locks
4.5
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4.5
161 reviews
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43
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2
FTichy
Celebration, FL2,354 contributions
Feb 2020
These are the new locks in the Panama Canal, very cool.
I had already visited Miraflores and thought this was much better.
It has great viewing area, with 180 degree view of the whole process.
We were lucky to see a large container ship do the process (only one of the locks because it takes a while). The engineering is great.
The place is very clean. It has a nice gift shop and a lot of places to sit and enjoy the view.
It is kind of far from the city (about 1 hours drive), so you either have to rent a car or do a tour.
It is worth it because it is much nicer than Miraflores.
I had already visited Miraflores and thought this was much better.
It has great viewing area, with 180 degree view of the whole process.
We were lucky to see a large container ship do the process (only one of the locks because it takes a while). The engineering is great.
The place is very clean. It has a nice gift shop and a lot of places to sit and enjoy the view.
It is kind of far from the city (about 1 hours drive), so you either have to rent a car or do a tour.
It is worth it because it is much nicer than Miraflores.
Written 14 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda I
Kilmarnock, UK191 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We had seen the original canal lock gates at the excellent centre on the Pacific side: Miraflores.
I wanted to see the new system and the only way to do this is to go to the Atlantic side. So we took the early train from Panama City. It is the original carriage and engine from the 19th century, a wonderful comfortable trip though the rainforest with views of the canal and lakes with complimentary coffee and breakfast.
I had arranged for a driver to take us to the station in the morning, she picked us up in Colon and took us to Aguas Claras locks where we watched a ship go through the new basins and gates. The guide gave great live explanations what was happening and tbere is a good short film about the building of the new super ship size locks.
A must if you want to understand the new canal.
I wanted to see the new system and the only way to do this is to go to the Atlantic side. So we took the early train from Panama City. It is the original carriage and engine from the 19th century, a wonderful comfortable trip though the rainforest with views of the canal and lakes with complimentary coffee and breakfast.
I had arranged for a driver to take us to the station in the morning, she picked us up in Colon and took us to Aguas Claras locks where we watched a ship go through the new basins and gates. The guide gave great live explanations what was happening and tbere is a good short film about the building of the new super ship size locks.
A must if you want to understand the new canal.
Written 12 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott
San Francisco, CA6,633 contributions
Dec 2022
I loved it here. While the surrounding area is a bit rough, these locks have a great observation and tourist area. Like the Miraflores Locks, there's a live narrator. But the crowds are smaller and the views are more close-up. There's even a nice video in English Language explaining the canal. There's no café or snack bar, but there are a few vending machines. Parking is FREE and convenient.
Written 15 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joseph D
10 contributions
Jan 2020
The visitor center for the new Aqua Clara Locks is great. There is a nice theater with a 12 minute video orientation of the Panama Canal and the building of the new locks (in English on the hour; Spanish other times). There is an excellent viewing area with two levels for watching the locks in operation. Also on site is a restaurant and snack bar along with a gift shop. This is a significant upgrade from the visiting area for the Gatun Locks. If you are really interested in the canal you could spend two or more hours here.
Written 3 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle T
New York City, NY656 contributions
Sept 2022
Our tour took us to the Agua Clara Locks to see the Panama Canal. The Center offers panoramic views of the Canal - starting from Gatun Lake and through all 3 chambers of the Agua Clara Locks.
As ships pass through the locks, there is a running commentary with fun facts about the canal and the locks. They're made in both English and Spanish, which make it super tourist friendly.
The gift shop is excellent and I picked up one of my favorite souvenirs of the entire trip - a gorgeous Panama tote bag.
Staff were all very nice and professional. This really lets you get up close and watch the action. With the Miraflores Visitor Center museum and cafe still closed, this is actually a much more enjoyable option to seeing the canal.
As ships pass through the locks, there is a running commentary with fun facts about the canal and the locks. They're made in both English and Spanish, which make it super tourist friendly.
The gift shop is excellent and I picked up one of my favorite souvenirs of the entire trip - a gorgeous Panama tote bag.
Staff were all very nice and professional. This really lets you get up close and watch the action. With the Miraflores Visitor Center museum and cafe still closed, this is actually a much more enjoyable option to seeing the canal.
Written 17 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim S
Mount Dora, FL130 contributions
Mar 2023
This is a great way to see the upgraded Panama Canal lock but you may not see a ship pass through!. I did it as part of a cruise ship tour and we stayed about an hour. A ship was just entering the lock and I was able to see it go through the first change in water level from entry to exit, but there were no other ships in sight. I expected a line of ships waiting to get through, but only a few in the distance. So if your tour gets there with no ship in process you may be disappointed.
The vantage point offers a good view of the lock from above. There is a live person voicing the process in Spanish and English. There is a video that shows the history but I did not watch because I wanted to see the whole operation from start to finish. Used the short time the water was going down to grab a souvenir shirt from the gift shop.
The vantage point offers a good view of the lock from above. There is a live person voicing the process in Spanish and English. There is a video that shows the history but I did not watch because I wanted to see the whole operation from start to finish. Used the short time the water was going down to grab a souvenir shirt from the gift shop.
Written 18 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NieSam
Maine938 contributions
Feb 2020
Going through the Agua Clara Locks was a bucket list check off! The transit was amazing. Seeing the ship entering each section, following its tugboat, was fascinating. How close we were to the sides was a surprise.
I loved seeing the lock gates sliding open and shut. It was interesting to see how far we rose, and conversely, dropped. What I loved the most was seeing the water reservoirs start churning like a whirlpool once the gates were shut and the water was being reclaimed. A true engineering feat!
I loved seeing the lock gates sliding open and shut. It was interesting to see how far we rose, and conversely, dropped. What I loved the most was seeing the water reservoirs start churning like a whirlpool once the gates were shut and the water was being reclaimed. A true engineering feat!
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tulu
59 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
I've been through a few small locks in the US. On a field trip from grade school I wasn't thrilled. Ten years later not too much. So visiting here and witnessing the ship being brought in was cool, but if this tour didn't have more on its itinerary, I would have bummed out. I'm not too into engineering and the like. Road on the way out toucans and howlers. That was cool !
Written 9 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynne C
Enfield, UK267 contributions
Jan 2020
We visited this as part of our Panama railway trip. The viewpoint is amazing with room for lots of visitors, you can see the ships going through the locks clearly. There are lots of signs explaining the locks and also a film which unfortunately we didn’t have time to see. The whole complex seemed to be wheelchair friendly and there were plenty of toinlets and a few souvenir stalls. Definitely worth a visit from Colon
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KathrynH
Central Florida, FL136 contributions
Nov 2022
We took a shore excursion to see the Panama Canal. Our driver took us to the old locks first, then to the new locks. The new locks (Agua Clara) have a very nice viewing platform and beautifully maintained grounds with lots of information about the locks. They also have a room with a short film you can watch and clean restrooms.
Written 26 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi
We are in port for a day and was wondering if it is safe to visit the locks if you have not had Yellow Fever vaccination
Thank you
Written 14 January 2020
While not guaranteed, I believe the risk of yellow fever is low. We did not experience any mosquitos in the area. I believe the Panamanians spray these areas to reduce any chance of malaria.
Written 10 March 2020
Cual es el mejor horario para ver barcos pasaren?
Written 1 September 2019
Still looking for an answer to a previous question asked but not answered: What is the best means of transportation from the Colon cruise dock to the Agua Clara Expansion Visitor Center and back ??? Taxi? Bus? Uber?
Written 12 November 2018
It would be much safer to book a trip with the cruise ship as there may not be any bus back and the taxi would be expensive. The trips that the various cruise ships do are good value generally. At the cruise terminal there are various tours that you can take but just watch the time as the cruise ship doesn't wait for non cruise booked trips.
Written 13 November 2018
Ship docks in Colon, Panam. Which excursion to take, Miraflores lock or Agua Clara lock?
Written 24 July 2018
The experience at each is quite different, best is to do both (I was there in March). Miraflores has a big visitors center, with excellent historical exhibits and 2 viewing levels. You can spend a lot of time there. It is also crowded. Aqua Clara is smaller with no exhibits, a short movie to watch, and not crowded. Watching the ships is good at both, a little better at Miraflores if you can get up to the fence.
Written 25 July 2018
Do ships go through the Aqua Clara locks all day long? We plan to go Sunday afternoon but someone told us they only pass through in the mornings.
Written 18 March 2018
Yes they do as it is huge business $$$$
Written 19 March 2018
Qual a melhor meio de transporte para ir do Porto Cristóbal até a Eclusa de Agua Clara?
Written 14 December 2017
Boa noite, Luiz Roberto. Você sabe me informar se a Eclusas de Águas Claras fica muito longe do porto Cristóbal? Estaremos em um navio de cruzeiro que ficará um dia neste porto e gostariamos de ir conhecer.
Obrigada.
Written 14 December 2017
Hello, you mentioned a private tour - who did you book with ?
thank you
Written 29 November 2017
HI,
You do not have to book nothing in advance.
Right after you leave the ship next to the pier you will see a big line of taxi/vans which will take you wherever you like including the a.m.
The prices are fixed and they are well below the prices taken on board.
Written 30 November 2017
Alguien tiene idea de la tarifa de taxi desde terminal de autobuses de Colon hasta el centro de visitantes de Agua Clara?
Written 23 September 2017
Pensamos ir desde CIudad de Panama a a visitar las nuevas esclusas de Agua Clara en Tren. Debemos ir primero a Colón y desde ahi al centro de visitiantes de agua clara? Si es asi, Hay buses desde la estación de trenes de Colón?
Written 17 September 2017
Llegando a la ciudad de Colon, esta el desvio para el centro de visitantes de Agua Clara, no necesitas entrar a la ciudad para ir a las esclusas. Yo fui en carro rentado, por lo tanto no sabría decirte si hay buses desde la estación de trenes.
Written 18 September 2017
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