Exploring the Miraflores Visitor Center and the Panama Canal Museum

The Miraflores Visitor Center is the ultimate spot to experience the Panama Canal in action. A complete tour typically takes around 90 minutes.

The center features fascinating exhibits on the canal’s construction, its historical importance, and the rich biodiversity of the surrounding area—all presented through engaging interactive displays and galleries.

A highlight of the visit is the IMAX Theater, which screens an impressive 3D film narrated by Morgan Freeman. This captivating movie offers an insightful overview of the canal’s history and operations (and yes, you’ll definitely want to watch it).

And, of course, the crown jewel of the experience: the observation decks. From here, you’ll enjoy an unparalleled front-row view of enormous ships as they navigate the Miraflores locks.

The best times to visit are between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM or 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. To make the most of your visit, we recommend booking with us in advance. This way, we can check if any cruise ships are passing through—these are especially enjoyable to watch, and you might even get the chance to wave to the passengers onboard!

The Miraflores Visitor Center tour can be self-guided or led by an expert. We highly recommend the guided tour for a deeper understanding of this iconic engineering masterpiece—and, of course, booking it with us makes it even easier!

Situated in the historic Casco Viejo district, the Panama Canal Museum (Museo del Canal Interoceánico de Panamá) offers an enriching complement to the Miraflores Locks experience. Housed in a building dating back to 1874, it originally served as a hotel before being acquired by Count Ferdinand de Lesseps to establish the offices of the Universal Company of the Interoceanic Canal.

The museum features historical exhibits showcasing photographs, documents, and artifacts related to the French attempt to construct the canal, the repercussions of its failure, and the eventual successful construction by the United States.

It also delves deeply into the complex relationship between the U.S. and Panama, exploring interactions that ranged from collaborative to contentious.

In addition to its permanent collection, the Panama Canal Museum frequently hosts temporary art exhibitions that are well worth a visit.