From the Roman aqueducts to the entire city of Machu Picchu, there are places that will take your breath away with the sheer ingenuity of their design. Central America is home to one that gave an entire country a reason to exist in the first place and is still its main source of income. There are different options for Panama Canal travel that will make it possible for you to see this marvel in action.
The Panama Canal is the main source of income for the eponymous country. On the Caribbean side it starts at Colon and then it ends at Balboa, near the capital on the Pacific coast. It covers a distance of less than 50 miles, much less than the route around Cape Horn that ships used to have to take if they wanted to travel between the Caribbean and the Pacific before the engineering marvel was completed in 1914.
At its southern end, the Canal is at sea level. Ships travel inland to the Miraflores Locks. Here the lock system lifts them about 55 feet higher and they sail further along the Lago de Miraflores. At the Pedro Miguel Locks they're raised another 30 feet or so and sail on through the Gaillard Cut and across the Lago Gatun. At the Gatun Locks they're brought down to sea level again after which they sail to the Caribbean.
An unforgettable experience is to be on board a ship as it passes through the locks. Try to find a cruise liner that will make the crossing. Otherwise, charter a smaller yacht or go with a tour company that offers packages that will let you sail from Balboa through the Miraflores Locks. Some tours continue on to Colon.
Crossings are expensive and if you're traveling on a tight budget, there is always the option of finding employment on a boat and letting the owner carry the costs. Cruise liners often have vacancies for various jobs. If you don't want to commit to a long contract, ask around in Panama City to find a position as line-handler only for the crossing. Usually this doesn't pay well if at all but you'll have a unique experience.
You can also see the locks in action from the shores. Take a taxi from Panama City to the Miraflores Locks or from Colon to the Gatun Locks. Another option is to travel by bus to Gamboa but and watch from the bus window.
Once a day there is a passenger train that travels along the Canal between Panama City and Colon as well. The journey takes about an hour. You'll be treated to views not only of the engineering marvel but also of the rainforest-covered landscape.
The high season for Panama Canal travel lasts from December to around April. However, the rainy season usually have sunny mornings with showers only in the afternoons and this is a good time to travel if you want to avoid he crowds. To pass through on a cruise liner, you're dependent on the timing of the cruise season.
The Panama Canal is the main source of income for the eponymous country. On the Caribbean side it starts at Colon and then it ends at Balboa, near the capital on the Pacific coast. It covers a distance of less than 50 miles, much less than the route around Cape Horn that ships used to have to take if they wanted to travel between the Caribbean and the Pacific before the engineering marvel was completed in 1914.
At its southern end, the Canal is at sea level. Ships travel inland to the Miraflores Locks. Here the lock system lifts them about 55 feet higher and they sail further along the Lago de Miraflores. At the Pedro Miguel Locks they're raised another 30 feet or so and sail on through the Gaillard Cut and across the Lago Gatun. At the Gatun Locks they're brought down to sea level again after which they sail to the Caribbean.
An unforgettable experience is to be on board a ship as it passes through the locks. Try to find a cruise liner that will make the crossing. Otherwise, charter a smaller yacht or go with a tour company that offers packages that will let you sail from Balboa through the Miraflores Locks. Some tours continue on to Colon.
Crossings are expensive and if you're traveling on a tight budget, there is always the option of finding employment on a boat and letting the owner carry the costs. Cruise liners often have vacancies for various jobs. If you don't want to commit to a long contract, ask around in Panama City to find a position as line-handler only for the crossing. Usually this doesn't pay well if at all but you'll have a unique experience.
You can also see the locks in action from the shores. Take a taxi from Panama City to the Miraflores Locks or from Colon to the Gatun Locks. Another option is to travel by bus to Gamboa but and watch from the bus window.
Once a day there is a passenger train that travels along the Canal between Panama City and Colon as well. The journey takes about an hour. You'll be treated to views not only of the engineering marvel but also of the rainforest-covered landscape.
The high season for Panama Canal travel lasts from December to around April. However, the rainy season usually have sunny mornings with showers only in the afternoons and this is a good time to travel if you want to avoid he crowds. To pass through on a cruise liner, you're dependent on the timing of the cruise season.
No comments:
Post a Comment