These days, Panama Canal travel is an attraction all by itself. Lots of people come to the country just for this experience. There's more to it than beaches and a tropical paradise with the chance to board a luxury cruise liner. On the contrary, the main draw for most visitors is the sheer curiosity of getting a first-hand look at a grand project that enables ships to cross over from one ocean to another.
There's no denying the historic nature or importance of this canal, which cuts through the Isthmus of Panama to link the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic. Before it was built, ships had to sail 9,000 miles around South America's tip. Starting from 1914, the voyage from the Atlantic to the Caribbean Sea, into the canal and then out into the Pacific was reduced to a mere eight hour run.
It wasn't just an engineering marvel, but also a seismic continental realignment that has contributed hugely to globalization. It fueled the rapid development of the U. S. West Coast and other coastal areas facing the Pacific. One of these developments was the cruise industry, which got a huge boost after it started picking up passengers at Atlantic seaports and taking them through the Caribbean Sea to the canal and then through to the Pacific.
Others who want to get up close to the canal will likely have to fly in through Tocumen International Airport. Visa application procedures will be different for people from various countries, but everyone will need to have a passport, a return ticket, some cash or traveler's checks, and a $5 tourist card. The only exception is for U. S. Citizens on a cruise ship, who do not have to get the tourist card.
The Miraflores Visitor Center located in Panama City is the best way for people already inside the country to take a closer look at the canal. It has observation decks that allow people to watch giant ships being guided through the locks. It also has a nice restaurant, an exhibition hall and a gift shop.
One of the best day trips in the area is a day spent exploring Gatun Lake and its surroundings. This is a gigantic artificial lake that was created to feed the locks with the water required to raise and lower ships. These day trippers get to ride on motor boats out on the lake and poke around in the tropical jungle that surrounds the lake. The giant ships compete for visitors' attention with crocodiles, monkeys, exotic birds and iguanas.
Taking a leisurely cruise is more satisfying, but requires a bigger budget and a lot more time. An entire industry of cruise liners competes for passengers who want to take a Caribbean cruise on giant ships that can carry thousands of crew and passengers. Many offer an ocean-to-ocean full transit, while others may include a partial transit as part of the itinerary.
Panama Canal travel has so many facets that it's very hard to make the most of it without assistance from a professional tour company. Apart from the canal journey, Gatun Lake and Panama City, there are many other attractions and destinations within easy reach. Take some time out for a cruise and it becomes even more memorable, with stops at dozens of ports on the Atlantic as well as Pacific coasts.
There's no denying the historic nature or importance of this canal, which cuts through the Isthmus of Panama to link the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic. Before it was built, ships had to sail 9,000 miles around South America's tip. Starting from 1914, the voyage from the Atlantic to the Caribbean Sea, into the canal and then out into the Pacific was reduced to a mere eight hour run.
It wasn't just an engineering marvel, but also a seismic continental realignment that has contributed hugely to globalization. It fueled the rapid development of the U. S. West Coast and other coastal areas facing the Pacific. One of these developments was the cruise industry, which got a huge boost after it started picking up passengers at Atlantic seaports and taking them through the Caribbean Sea to the canal and then through to the Pacific.
Others who want to get up close to the canal will likely have to fly in through Tocumen International Airport. Visa application procedures will be different for people from various countries, but everyone will need to have a passport, a return ticket, some cash or traveler's checks, and a $5 tourist card. The only exception is for U. S. Citizens on a cruise ship, who do not have to get the tourist card.
The Miraflores Visitor Center located in Panama City is the best way for people already inside the country to take a closer look at the canal. It has observation decks that allow people to watch giant ships being guided through the locks. It also has a nice restaurant, an exhibition hall and a gift shop.
One of the best day trips in the area is a day spent exploring Gatun Lake and its surroundings. This is a gigantic artificial lake that was created to feed the locks with the water required to raise and lower ships. These day trippers get to ride on motor boats out on the lake and poke around in the tropical jungle that surrounds the lake. The giant ships compete for visitors' attention with crocodiles, monkeys, exotic birds and iguanas.
Taking a leisurely cruise is more satisfying, but requires a bigger budget and a lot more time. An entire industry of cruise liners competes for passengers who want to take a Caribbean cruise on giant ships that can carry thousands of crew and passengers. Many offer an ocean-to-ocean full transit, while others may include a partial transit as part of the itinerary.
Panama Canal travel has so many facets that it's very hard to make the most of it without assistance from a professional tour company. Apart from the canal journey, Gatun Lake and Panama City, there are many other attractions and destinations within easy reach. Take some time out for a cruise and it becomes even more memorable, with stops at dozens of ports on the Atlantic as well as Pacific coasts.
About the Author:
Panama canal travel is brought to you by panamacanal.com. To contact our agents for the most suitable travel packages, please see this informative site at http://panamacanal.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment