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What a unique project. So cool to watch the big boats pass through the canal. Even the locals regularly stop by to take a look at the boats.
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Date of experience: November 2020
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How can you not check this out when in Panama !?!? Just an overall incredible thing to see ...one of the worlds wonders
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Date of experience: November 2020
1 Helpful vote
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About 5 hours on the tour boat Pacific Queen with an estimated coverage (based on the map) of about half of the total length of the Canal specifically the half which is the "Pacific side" of the Canal, this in short is just one "water tour of the lifetime" and which in my opinion (to elaborate that lifetime experience) was seeing this famous canal in "5 stretches": the 1st stretch (from the dock to the Pedro Miguel Locks for about an hour) of starting out firstly by "looking back" in the direction of the Atlantic side as the boat pulled away then by looking ahead and just enjoying the "greenery & serenity" of the adjacent land on both sides until yes there came somewhat of an excitement of coming into view "a set of terraces" on each side of the Canal (not sure what their purposes are) along with the Centennial Bridge to pass right under (& to look up to its bottom as we did); the 2nd stretch (which is actually just going through the Pedro Miguel Locks for about 1.5 hours) where I would say that we were kind of lucky to be in the company of not one but two cruise ships (one straight ahead in the water chamber that our boat would go in next & the other in the lane right beside); the 3rd stretch (the shortest of all 5 stretches for just about 10 minutes between the two sets of locks from Pedro Miguel to Miraflores) where somewhat of an interesting scene was these small tug boats likely between their services (as I also saw some in service of accompanying bigger vessels); the 4th stretch (which is the way through the Miraflores Locks also for about 1.5 hours as at Pedro Miguel) where yes I did get to witness not once but twice more (since there are "2 chambers" here unlike just one at Pedro Miguel) of what I'd already seen at Pedro Miguel which is the "absolutely fascinating" technology of the water level going down in the chamber followed by the opening of the big gates to see from their "top to bottom" (in contrast to "only their tops" when entering the chamber since it has to be full to enter and yes to be filled up again right after the departure of our boat); and finally the 5th & last stretch (for about an hour from the Miraflores Locks to some marina by the open ocean right past the end of the Canal where it merges with the Pacific Ocean) as our boat headed toward the Bridge of the Americas by passing the big cranes of the Port of Panama along the two sides (then passing under the Bridge) and also yes coming into view was a "breathtaking skyline" of Panama City ("quite a wind" to experience though being on the open ocean just before the end of the tour). It was for the cost of about 140 US$ (booked by my hostel in Casco Viejo just on the previous day) where I got picked up at American Trade Hotel (likely for all those in the Casco Viejo area, and be sure to wait in the lobby and not on the side with the coffee shop!) not too early in the morning but just at about 11 am followed by just about a 45-minute ride to the area called Gamboa (likely on the outskirts of Panama City) where we stopped briefly at some jungle resort or such before another short ride to the dock for boarding the Pacific Queen (where there were also some other tour boats like ours each accommodating I would say about 200 passengers). And also inclusive in the tour price, the buffet lunch was "pretty adequate" although the part of the food I liked most was the "unlimited soft drinks"! And yes, last but not least (actually an "important part" of the time on board) was just a "fantastic narration" of the journey through the Canal by Gus whose friendliness & knowledge of the Canal made the tour just all the more enjoyable :).…
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Date of experience: January 2020
1 Helpful vote
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Panama Marine Adventures. Well organised. Transport came on time. Guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. The trip was brilliant, despite long waits for the canal traffic filter system, which obviously can't be helped. Highly recommended.
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Date of experience: February 2020
1 Helpful vote
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This was my second visit to the canal but the first for my son, he was very fascinated by it. We had an excellent tour guide, Rickie.
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Date of experience: September 2019
1 Helpful vote
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