Gatun Locks
Gatun Locks
4.5
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4.5
765 reviews
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Razorfish
Little Rock, AR5,287 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
My wife and I were on a Viking ocean cruise that went through the Panama Canal this past December. It was interesting to see the mules pull the ship through the lock. I looked forward to seeing the Canal because my great uncle died while working on the digging of the Panama Canal. He died of malaria. After seeing the terrain and the harsh climate, I can understand the difficulties involved in getting the Canal built.
Written 18 June 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.
coldy
Lake Country, Canada649 contributions
Mar 2012 • Friends
The Gatun locks are far far better than the Mirafloes locks. First gatun has 3 locks travelling in both directions. So ships are heading both east and west at the same time. They move the ships up and down 85 feet. Awsome sight to see. Very few tourists and they have a full time tour guide to explain all about the locks at the viewing platform which is about 75 ft. above the ground so you get great views. You are much closer to the ships here than at the Miraflores locks. Probably 30 or 40 feet. All in All a great experience and well worth the extra time to drive here. It was funny to see the crews of the large ships taking pictures of us as we were taking picture of them.
Written 23 May 2012
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.
goldmann
Lund, Sweden517 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
Don't book a tour because that's a ripoff. Do it yourself. Take the Metro from downtown to Albrook terminal, cost nothing. Then just go outside the terminal and take a cab to Station Corozal. Don't ask for the price. Just pretend you know it. Then at the station just hand the the driver 5$, that's enough. Then buy the ticket. The train ride is quite nice, not life changing, but nice. You see the canal and rain forest. The wagon is old fashion with huge windows. When you arrive to Colon the real problem starts. The taxi touts will attack you to get you to the Gatun locks. Bargain like a madman. They'll start at 70$ but you can get it for half the price. We didn't managed lower. Then you can get a ride for 40$ back to Panama City. There is nothing in Colon, just poverty and crime. Tatung locks are well worth the visit. See the film that is much better the one at Miraflores. Visitors center cost 15$. You get a good view over the locks. Impressive site and impressive engineering. More impressive then Miraflores but on the other hand they are older.
Written 1 August 2016
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.
L C
New York, NY392 contributions
Sept 2011
Although Gatun is not as user-friendly as Miraflores, it is a much better place to get a better understanding of the Canal/lock system.
The downsides are:
- Much further away (Colon has little to recommend for tourists)
- Access is difficult & not well marked (though not an issue if you have a driver or take package tour)
- More steps (don't know if there's an elevator). Really only 2 flights of stairs, but could be an issue if you have physical disabilities
- Not many formal audio visual guides, presentations (no videos, very few explanatory panels). Very few amenities (no restaurants, platform has no A/C etc.)
The above makes it sound like a horrible place, but it's worth the trip. It's grittier, but so much better for anyone who wants to truly understand the canal & lock system. For those who just want to take a picture & cross it off the to-do list, it's not worth the extra effort. The benefits are:
- You see the entire process. You can see all three locks, plus you get a great view of the lock gates opening & closing & the boats heading out to or in from the sea.
- Actually in the working zone of the locks. You are much closer to the boats than at Miraflores.
- Not as crowded. Fewer people, so much easier to see the action.
- Better explanatory panels. Just a few panels & a small brochure, but much better done that at Miaflores. There's actually an overview map that explains the whole canal system (which was lacking at Miraflores).
- Incredible guide. I don't know if this is standard procedure, but a person came up to us to ask if we had any questions (I think her name was Brizielle (sp?)). She was incredibly knowledgeable (had list of all ships crossing that day) of the canal's history, daily operations & future plans, as well as Panama in general. She spent 1.5 hours with us answering EVERY question we had (even going back to the office to research some she didn't know). She made our visit & truly enlightened us in a way that we didn't get from Miraflores.
The downsides are:
- Much further away (Colon has little to recommend for tourists)
- Access is difficult & not well marked (though not an issue if you have a driver or take package tour)
- More steps (don't know if there's an elevator). Really only 2 flights of stairs, but could be an issue if you have physical disabilities
- Not many formal audio visual guides, presentations (no videos, very few explanatory panels). Very few amenities (no restaurants, platform has no A/C etc.)
The above makes it sound like a horrible place, but it's worth the trip. It's grittier, but so much better for anyone who wants to truly understand the canal & lock system. For those who just want to take a picture & cross it off the to-do list, it's not worth the extra effort. The benefits are:
- You see the entire process. You can see all three locks, plus you get a great view of the lock gates opening & closing & the boats heading out to or in from the sea.
- Actually in the working zone of the locks. You are much closer to the boats than at Miraflores.
- Not as crowded. Fewer people, so much easier to see the action.
- Better explanatory panels. Just a few panels & a small brochure, but much better done that at Miaflores. There's actually an overview map that explains the whole canal system (which was lacking at Miraflores).
- Incredible guide. I don't know if this is standard procedure, but a person came up to us to ask if we had any questions (I think her name was Brizielle (sp?)). She was incredibly knowledgeable (had list of all ships crossing that day) of the canal's history, daily operations & future plans, as well as Panama in general. She spent 1.5 hours with us answering EVERY question we had (even going back to the office to research some she didn't know). She made our visit & truly enlightened us in a way that we didn't get from Miraflores.
Written 8 September 2011
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.
t-phile
colorado springs31 contributions
Nov 2012 • Family
My family and I were taking a cruise through the Panama Canal and docked in Colon after transiting the canal from west to east. I wasn't initially enthused to go to the locks as a shore excursion, but was really, really glad we did. The locks and ships passing through are a completely different experience when viewed from shore vs on the ship. It is definitely worth seeing from both perspectives. There's also no real need to sign up for an excursion through the ship if one prefers to avoid a busload of people. It's easy to get a taxi/driver on shore. We also got to across the locks bridge and visit the dam ( which is massive). It's important to be familiar with the technical history of the building of the canal to really appreciate these 2 sights.
Written 8 November 2012
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.
JeanLouisV
Ganshoren, Belgium199 contributions
Feb 2011
All the tourist crowds go to Miraflores to see the interesting museum and rush to the terrace when one ship arrives. Gatun is 10 times better: first, the docks are more impressive, as we talk about 3 x 2 locks. Then, the traffic seems much heavier, instead of waiting for one or 2 ships at Miraflores, here we got 6 ships in a row. The path and the platform are also much closer to the ships.
It is not as visitor friendly as Miraflores: there is no website; to get there is a bit of challenge, follow the instructions to the Melia Colon, then you will see the signs APC Gatun Eclusas, do NOT cross the canal when you see a queue of cars, but instead turn left and stop at the 2nd large building, where there is a small gift shop (there is no clear signage that this is the visitor center). There is no lift or museum, and it closes sharp at 4:00 pm. But we were there almost alone, and it is worth hundred times the trip and the USD 5 entrance fee.
It is not as visitor friendly as Miraflores: there is no website; to get there is a bit of challenge, follow the instructions to the Melia Colon, then you will see the signs APC Gatun Eclusas, do NOT cross the canal when you see a queue of cars, but instead turn left and stop at the 2nd large building, where there is a small gift shop (there is no clear signage that this is the visitor center). There is no lift or museum, and it closes sharp at 4:00 pm. But we were there almost alone, and it is worth hundred times the trip and the USD 5 entrance fee.
Written 26 February 2011
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.
Nina L
Massachusetts108 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
We booked this tour to see the Panama Canal with several of our fellow cruisers on the cruise critic roll call. We were in a small bus and visited both the Gatun Locks and the Aqua Clara Locks. Our guide, Roberto, the owner of the company, was very informative and well spoken - and guided us to the observation areas ahead of several large groups who had booked through the cruise ship. We were able to see several ships pass through the locks at both sites. We enjoy the smaller private excursions and highly recommend this company. Please note that we did not pass through the Canal - that is a much longer excursion and I would only book that through the ship, in case you are delayed, they will wait for you.
My only recommendation for improvement would be to offer a stop for a snack or the opportunity to purchase a box lunch or some refreshment. We started our tour at 9:30 and didn't get back to the ship until after 3, so it was a long time to go with just beverages.
My only recommendation for improvement would be to offer a stop for a snack or the opportunity to purchase a box lunch or some refreshment. We started our tour at 9:30 and didn't get back to the ship until after 3, so it was a long time to go with just beverages.
Written 19 February 2017
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.
chibooster
Mississippi Gulf Coast, MS36 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
Want to be up close to one of the wonders of the world? Then go to the visitor centers at Gatun Locks. At the Agua Clara visitor center you can see the new Panama Canal expansion and watch the Panamax ships go through. You also get a good view of the Atlantic entrance and Gatun Lake. The observation point is located up high and very close so you can get a very good view. The facility has a nice, air conditioned, small theater with very comfortable seats that shows movies of the canal in English and in Spanish. There is a short hiking trail with lots of birds. Occasionally howler monkeys are seen in the adjacent trees. There is a restaurant on site which serves hot meals and alcoholic beverages. Then if you want to see the historic Gatun Locks, you can drive to the old visitor center and see these marvels of the world built in 1914 and still functioning after all these years. This visitor center is again very close to the locks and you get a phenomenal view of the workings of the canal. There is also a visitor center for the old locks on the Pacific side but you are not as close as on the Atlantic so I would recommend taking the time to go to the Atlantic Side. It is about 1.5 hours if you take the corredor (toll road). A good day trip would be to drive from Panama City to see the locks, drive across both locks and then go to Fort San Lorenzo where Morgan the pirate and Sir Francis Drake fought!!! When you cross the Panama Canal on the Atlantic side you actually drive over the gates of the new canal. When you drive over the old canal, you are almost at water level and get a good view of the gates and if they are open, the locks themselves. I think you get a much better appreciation for the Panama Canal at Gatun. On this review, it asks if the site is exciting, unusual or risky...Not risky at all but truly one of the man made marvels of the world so very exciting and unusual.
Written 22 October 2016
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.
Tennessee50plus
Springfield, TN8,011 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
On my recent panama canal cruise, this was one of the few shore excursions offered. At first it seemed like it would be redundant since I was doing a full transit of the canal on the ship. However, it turned out to greatly enhance the transit. You get a very different perspective of how the locks function when you watch from the observation deck as ships go through the canal locks. From the ship, the change does not appear as impressive as it actually is. Though there is no guarantee you will actually get to see a ship going through, I was fortunate enough to see two; one going in each direction. It was amazing to watch to massive panamax cargo ships moving through the locks. The area is nice and along the way you can glimpse some of the construction on the new larger locks.
Written 24 June 2015
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.
Lamorena916
4 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
I've visited the locks at Miraflores and Gatun, and by far the locks at Gatun give you a better view of the action. You're so close you can see how the locks open and the water level rises, and you can better appreciate the precision of the movements. The down side is that you will need a car to get to the locks, it's not along a main public road. There is a video overview of some facts and figures, and the guides are helpful. Of course, the museum and displays at Miraflores are more detailed, but if your main interest is the ships then Gatun is worth the trip and the $5.
There are some pretty steep stairs to get to the upper viewing platform, but for strollers or people with health problems you can view from ground level as well.
There are some pretty steep stairs to get to the upper viewing platform, but for strollers or people with health problems you can view from ground level as well.
Written 1 September 2014
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.
Anyone know how to get a photo of your cruise ship going thru Panama Canal?
Written 5 March 2022
queremos ir de Los Angeles a Argentina en un motorhome. Nuestra única duda es como cruzar de Panama a Colombia? llevamos a nuestras mascotas y esa es nuestra preocupación. Gracias.
Written 12 July 2020
If you purchase a Princess shore excursion, do you disembark for the excursion AFTER the ship goes through the Gatun Lock?
Written 6 November 2019
I did not go via ship so I don’t know. I drove from Panama City.
Written 6 November 2019
saben el costo de traslado del hotel ramada panana al puerto de cruceros colon y tiempo d traslado?
Written 9 March 2019
Hola, según Uber son $51 y el tiempo aproximado es de una hora.
Written 11 March 2019
For those who have taken a norwegian panama canal cruise, I am not clear on what happens at the port identified on the itinerary as Panama Canal/Gatun Lake. What I think I understand is that the ship goes through some locks to Gatun Lake and then back out again? If that's the case, would you advise staying on the ship or getting off and doing an excursion? Based on the schedule it looks like it then docks in Colon for 3 hours. Did you get off and doing anything in Colon?
Written 29 January 2019
You can get off at Colon port and visit the Free zone for some shopping if clothes , perfumes , electronics , sportswear etc. it’s just a skirt walk from the cruise terminal .
The cruise ship then passes through the Gatun locks and you can view the passing from the deck .
Written 9 March 2019
Hi Rhona61, are there independent tours outside the port of Panama Canal / Gatun Lake that cruise passengers can avail? Some reviews said we are not allowed to leave the ship unless we take the excursions offered by the cruise lines. Pardon my understanding on this as I have never been in S American cruise before. Your suggestions & any clarifications will be helpful. Thanks!
Written 15 October 2018
Some cruise lines offer trips on the lake, it depends on how long the ship is to remain in the lake before going back out. We originally had a tour scheduled but since the ship was only going to be there for a couple of hours it was cancelled. Need to check with the cruise line on the timing in the lake and it could change the day before or the day of which makes for contracting with someone other than the cruise line tough.
Written 15 October 2018
Estaré en colon ( primeros días de Nov ), me colaboran x favor sobre cual esclusa es la mas cercana para visitar, y si tienen algún transporte responsable que me puedan recomendar para la visita. GRACIAS
Written 8 October 2018
Gracias por tu comentario , lo tendré presente,Cordial saludo
Written 26 October 2018
Quanto tempo se gasta pra ir de cólon até as eclusas?
Written 17 August 2018
Olá. Nós fomos numa excursão organizada e a primeira paragem foi nas eclusas. Demoramos cerca de 45 minutos.
Written 17 August 2018
Now that Gatún lock is closed to the public, which of the two locks is more interesting to tour, Miraflores lock or Agua Clara lock?
Written 24 July 2018
Miraflores. It has a visitor centre from which you get great views of the ships manoeuvring through. Very interesting, and great fun. Enjoy.
Written 24 July 2018
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