Behind the Scenes of the Panama Canal

From $235

Started by the French and completed by the US in 1914, the Panama Canal is a wonder of the industrial world, connecting cultures and commerce.

Kick off your tour at Miraflores Visitor Center, a lock on the canal's Pacific Ocean side; after you watch an IMAX movie there, a private guide from the Panama Canal Authority will take you to the Miraflores locks' operational area so you can see them in action. After lunch in a private room at the nearby Summit Rainforest Hotel, you'll visit the Panama Canal Expansion Observation Center to learn more about this engineering marvel.

Energy Level

Duration

8 Hours

Type

CULTURED

Accessible

Shore Thing Highlights

Get insider access to the world-famous Panama Canal, an artificial waterway whose construction took 33 years
See the Miraflores Locks from a unique perspective, with a private guide from the Panama Canal Authority to give you context
Enjoy lunch with a view in an elegant private room at the Summit Rainforest Hotel

Need to know

This Shore Thing is not wheelchair accessible
Approximately 1 hour 30-minute drive each way to/from the pier
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
Includes lunch and adult bevvies
Closed-toed shoes are required

Experience shores the Virgin way

Local & Immersive Tours
Authentic experiences curated with local operators
A Sustainable Cause
Select tour bookings to help social charities
Peace of Mind
Modify/cancel up to 48hrs before where applicable
Priority Debark in Port
Be first ashore in all our ports of call
Safe and Insured
Our partners are licensed and insured
Transparent Pricing
No hidden costs, all-inclusive Shore Thing prices
Expert Travel Support
Pre-voyage to onboard assistance, always there
Stress-Free Returns
Ship will wait for you in the event of a delay
Convenient Collection
Convenience of one location to shop for your calls

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Colonial Panama: On Your Own

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Fort San Lorenzo & Panama Canal Locks

Overlooking the Chagres river, Fort San Lorenzo is a 400-year-old Spanish fortress that once protected treasure ships from Caribbean buccaneers.

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Gatun Lake, Embera Village, & Panama Canal Locks

Journey deep into Panama's rainforest, where 50,000 acres of wild beauty await.

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Kayaking on Gatun Lake & Panama Canal Locks

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Shore Things are fully refundable to the original form of payment. However, please note that Shore Things are only fully refundable if they are canceled within 48 hours prior to the booked Shore Thing taking place, unless stated otherwise in a specific Shore Thing 'Need to Know' section. If you fail to either (a) cancel within 48 hours of the booked Shore Thing (or alternative time period as may be stated in a specific Shore Thing 'Need to Know' section), or (b) show up for a booked Shore Thing, you will be charged for 100% of the Shore Thing price.

If you make a cancellation prior to the first day of your voyage and within 48 hours (unless otherwise stated in the tour details) of your Shore Thing, you will be refunded to the original form of payment after midnight Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the day of cancellation.

If you make another purchase prior to midnight EST, after canceling a booking eligible for a refund, the credit from the canceled booking will be applied to your new booking. Therefore, you’ll only be charged for the price difference between the canceled and new experience. If you have remaining temporary credit left on your account after you’ve made another experience purchase, the remaining credit will be refunded to your original form of payment after midnight EST.

If you cancel a Shore Thing during your voyage and are eligible for a refund, a credit will be applied to your folio and not to your original form of payment.

Shore Things departure times and/or meeting locations are subject to change. We will make every effort to notify Sailors in advance via the Sailor App of any tour departure and/or meeting changes.

Behind the Scenes of the Panama Canal

Started by the French and completed by the US in 1914, the Panama Canal is a wonder of the industrial world, connecting cultures and commerce.

Shore Thing Highlights

Need to know