Panama Canal, the world’s engineering marvel, has improved the sailing time going from the East to the West of the Americas. The once 2-month journey through the rock strewn and wind-battered seas has now become 8 to 24 hours. What a great ease of passage! And, if you’re planning your next getaway and wondering what else the world famous Canal has to offer, then I tell you there’s a lot more. Besides the short cut, you’ll certainly appreciate the Panama Canal as a unique tourist destination.

Panama Canal Has An Interesting History

The idea of building the Panama Canal started as early as the 16th century with the French being the first to do the construction. They started digging in 1881, but the workers were forced to stop because of major problems like serious illnesses and mud slides. In 1904, the American engineers took over the Panama Canal project. The US engineers did a great job technologically and medically. They did the excavation work while improving the sanitation in the surrounding towns, thereby reducing the risks of deadly diseases. In 1914, the Panama Canal was completed. Its cost was $387 million and 25,000 human lives.

Great Scenery To Enjoy In Your Panama Canal Cruise

Besides its mechanical wonders, Panama Canal has a number of stunning and great natural scenery to offer. There are the untouched, tangled jungles in the waterfront that has a variety of flora and fauna. You’ll also see more than 120 species of wild life in the Barro Colorado Nature Monument. If you want to enjoy Panama’s landscape, the best time to visit is during the dry season which is from December to April, when there is not too many rains.

The ports of call depend on the Panama Canal cruise line and the length of your itinerary. Regular trips range from 10 to 14 nights, but if you want, you can spend more days, say 30 days or more, at sea on some tourist towns. Tourists normally stop at Colon, Panama because it is where the world’s 2nd biggest duty free zone is located. Native crafts, along with brand-name items, are sold here. The San Blas Island is another destination worth visiting. And the Panama City offers a mixture of colonial and cosmopolitan sites, besides the ease of access to the surrounding rainforest.

The Panama Canal cruises allow you to explore the Latin America – from the shores of Costa Rica to the coffee country of Colombia. To lure you further are the pristine beaches, snorkeling activities, the panoramic view of Mexico’s Pacific Coast, partying in Miami, or having a stroll through San Diego

The Future of Panama Canal

The Panama Canal will celebrate its 100 years of construction in the year 2014 with a $5.25 billion engineering innovation and expansion. A third lane of shipping traffic and other amenities is under construction. And it is expected to accommodate “post-Panamax” vessels. These are the commercial carriers and mega ships that exceed the original limitations of 1,000-ft. long and 100-ft. wide. The official estimate is that after the renovation, shipping and tourism in Panama Canal will double, to give both Panama and Latin America a much needed boost in their economies.You should visit Panama Canal

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Panama Canal – You cannot miss it

Panama Canal is one of the greatest engineering projects in the world. It is also one of the most difficult. Nearly 100 years after it was completed, the canal has quickly become the most popular cruise itineraries. Visitors to Panama never miss seeing this famous canal, which is often regarded to as the “8th wonder of the world”. Panama Canal has made a big difference on shipping between the two oceans. It shortened the travel time by half of what the ship will take if it sail through the long route via Cape Horn.

Panama Canal – History

While the history of Panama Canal is full of tragedy as the canal historians relate, passengers in the Panama Canal cruise will never forget the enjoyment they experience with the eight hour transit of the canal. This is the highlight of the cruise, as six immense locks raise the ship by 85 ft. from sea level, and then lower it slowly once again. You will also enjoy watching big ships passing by. There are three view decks where you can stay and enjoy the canal and the landscape it navigates.

As you enjoy the cruise, you will also hear stories of how the canal was built, the human woe involved, the deaths of thousands of people caused by various diseases (malaria, H-fever), and over exhaustion from work. The building of Panama Canal was carried out under Spanish kings, conquistadores and five American presidents over a period of four centuries. The American builders continued the work when the French engineers stopped it because of so many deaths.

Panama Canal Cruises

The Panama Canal cruises are rarely restricted to the canal itself. Its port of call span the Carribean and the Mexican Riviera. It means that besides seeing the canal itself while you are on a cruise, you will also have the opportunity to view the Carribean Islands, rainforests, Mayan Ruins, and Mexican resorts. A visitor to the Panama Canal can never ask for more – you will have the history and the exhilarating experience that you will bring home after your holidays are over.

If you are planning to spend some holidays in Panama, take note that the cruise season for Panama Canal runs from September to April. And the best time to visit it is after the rainy season in November. Going on a holiday with family or friends is a great idea. You will be able to bond with your loved ones and at the same time enjoy the various tourist spots of Panama including he Panama Canal. It will also offer you time to relax and have some peace and quiet from your busy life.

The rates for cruising down the Panama Canal is affordably low. However, it is not something that anyone can do during their lifetime. There may be some things to consider such as a very busy life, lack of budget and others. But, for people who can do it for once, taking a cruise can mean an experience that is guaranteed to be remembered and treasured as long as you live and maybe tell your grandchildren about the Panama Canal.

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Panama Canal Tours Unforgettable

Tourists from all over the world visit Panama. Some of them are looking for adventure, the others want to simply relax and enjoy the country. This is where they can sunbathe in the beautiful beaches of the two oceans, climb up mountains, dive, snorkel, fish, visit places, and take home memories of exotic wild life. This is where they can see the greatness of man’s creative abilities in the Panama Canal.

Panama Canal – this is the very first thing that comes to your mind whenever you are thinking of Panama and your planned Panama vacation. More prominently referred to as the Crossroads of the World, the canal is a great shipping center. More than 13,000 boats fleet the Panama Canal from ocean to ocean to various destinations each year.

Panama Canal Cruises

Panama Canal cruises have become a favorite method of visiting the canal. In fact it is the best way to experience the canal. During your transit, you can have the opportunity to see the canal in operation up close. You will transit with the bigger ships, you will see the tugboats while in operation. And of course, you will also see the locks and feel the sensation of going up 85 ft. from sea level and go down again as you get from one ocean to another. Whether what you take is a partial or full transit, it will be a once in a lifetime adventure for you.

The cruise season is from September to April. While you are on the Panama Canal cruise that sails through the lock, you can view the flora and fauna in the jungle beyond. You can gaze at the tropical birds overhead, there are about 900 species of them. You can take in the yells of the rainforests’ natural world as you glide. The cruise rates are reasonable and affordable and are worth the fun, relaxation and your indulging holiday and retreat.

Panama Canal – A must see

The Panama Canal is always on a visitor’s list of must-see places; it is known as one of the few amazing engineering efforts. Its construction was started by the French and then finished by the US. Nearly 100 years from its opening the Panama Canal has become a favorite destination of tourists visiting Panama. It has become a business hub, with services such as tourism, trans-shipment, free-trading operations, banking and finance, private industries contributing immensely to its economy.

As an expansion effort, the Panama Canal Administration planned to dig a new additional set of locks. These should be wider, deeper and larger locks that will cost $5.2 billion. The expansion is aimed to make way for modern and huge container ships, cruise liners, tankers and other vessels that are extremely large for the present locks that measure only 108 ft. wide. The excavation work for the new locks of Panama Canal has began and is expected to complete by 2015.

Whatever it is you are planning – an extravagant cruise or a last minute get away; a short sailing, or an extended trip, the cruises offers you everything from excitement, fun, peace and adventure and you will never forget Panama Canal.

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The Gamboa Rainforest Resort is nestled in the Soberania National Park Rainforest. Located on the banks of the Panama Canal and the Chagres River this luxurious resort and hotel has may adventure to offer.

You may want to take the aerial tram into the jungle, relax by the pool or experience the Panama Canal in a boat ride. Whether you are looking for adventure or relaxation it is within thirty minutes of the resort.

You can experience a one-of-a-kind vacation experience in the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. There is a variety of natural wildlife and colorful sights to see. You can escape into a jungle paradise that is appropriate for couples or families. Enjoy and experience nature without ever leaving the exotic comforts of a full-service resort.

From the Aerial Tram rainforest canopy tour you can experience the rich life of a rainforest. Be eye to eye with birds and the creatures of a rainforest while in a comfortable seat of a Swiss-engineered aerial tram. You will smoothly glide through the treetops and experience firsthand the peaceful sounds of a deep tropical rainforest. The tram operator that accompanies your tour will describe the flora and fauna that you see. The tour ends at the Observation Tower at the end of the 1.2-kilometer ride. There is a spiral walking ramp where you will experience a panoramic view of the Panama Canal, Emberra indigenous village, town of Gamboa, and the Chagres River all surrounded by the rainforests lush mountains.

Travel the Panama Canal’s secret waterways on a boat tour and find hidden islands that are the favorites of Cappuccio and Howler monkeys. See them leap from tree to tree. If you are lucky one may come down to get a closer look. You can view wild monkeys in their natural habitat and be as close to them as you would be in a zoo. On this tour you will also see alligators, sloths and turtles that are native to the area. You will passes through the Panama Canal where you can see the large container ships as they take their passage across the world.

If you fish you will be impressed by the variety and quantity of fish in Gatun Lake. Species include snook, tarpon and peacock bass as well as many others. There are not limits or restrictions on the number of fish you can catch. Your guide will take you on a guided private tour of the lake to all the best spots. Enjoy fishing on Lake Gatun surrounded by the tranquility and peace of lush tropical forests.

Experience what rainforest animals do at night on the night safari tour. The tour is in a Gamboa open-air bus and you will see alligators, capibaras, tapirs, tropical opossums and two-toed sloths.

If you are looking for more of an adventure raid the waters of the Panama Canal in a kayak and discover what the Canal has to offer. Whatever exotic adventure you are looking for you can find it at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort.

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The Panama Canal is a key transportation route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Without the canal, shipping and other vessels would either need to travel south around the tip of South America, or they would need to offload their goods to be transported across land to another vessel.The Panama Canal consists of three sets of locks (Gatun Locks, Pedro Miguel Locks and Miraflores Locks), two artificial lakes (Lake Gatun and Lake Miraflores) and artificial channels. In addition, Lake Alajuela acts as a reservoir for the canal.

Entering from the Atlantic side of the canal, a ship arrives through the Caribbean Sea and then traverses the Gatun Locks. The Gatun Locks are a series of 3 locks, or steps, which lift a ship from the level of the Atlantic Ocean to the level of Lake Gatun.Once the ship has traversed through Lake Gatun, it then proceeds through the Chagres river and then the Culebra Cut (or Gaillard Cut), going under the Centennial Bridge, until it reaches the Pedro Miguel Locks. Unlike the Gatun Locks, the Pedro Miguel Locks consist of only one step. Once past the Pedro Miguel Locks, the sip travels through Miraflores Lake and then through the Miraflores Locks, which consist of two steps. The ship then continues underneath the Bridge of the Americas and then out through the Gulf of Panama to the Pacific Ocean.

Mules

Mules (mulas) are train locomotives that help steer large ships through the Panama Canal to prevent a ship from hitting and damaging the canal. The mules run on rack tracks, train tracks with a toothed rail down the middle to help the train climb steep inclines. The rack tracks run along both sides of the Panama Canal. Large ships are steered by 4 mules on each side of the ship, two in the front (bow) and two in the rear (stern). The mules are for steering and don’t actually tow the ships. Smaller vessels don’t use the mules, but instead use hand lines which are controlled by the ship’s crew.

Future of the Panama Canal

In October of 2006, Panama voters overwhelmingly approved a national referendum on a $5.25 billion expansion of the Panama Canal. The plan calls for the largest modernization plan in the 92-year history of the Panama Canal, which would allow the canal to handle modern container ships, cruise liners and tankers that are too large for its current 108-foot-wide locks. The plan is to build a third set of locks on the Pacific and Atlantic ends with a completion date of 2015.

Panama was the native name of a village on the Pacific Coast of the Gulf and Isthmus of Panama. Before its discovery by the Spanish, Panama was inhabited by a large number of Amerindians. The groups lived in organized chiefdoms, depending on the area’s fish, birds, and sea turtles, and on starchy root crops for food. Numbering nearly one million when the Spanish arrived in 1501, the largest group was the Cuna. The country’s name, which means “land of plenty fish,” may also come from the Cuna words panna mai , or “far away,” a reply to Spaniards who wondered where to find gold. The name Panama is also believed to be a Guarani Indian word meaning “a butterfly,” and also signifying a mud fish, perhaps because the flaps of the mudfish resembled the wings of a butterfly.

Panama has been subjected to numerous occupations by foreign powers since the Renaissance period. Since 1513, when the Spanish explorer Vasco Nuñez de Balboa crossed a narrow strip of land and discovered the Pacific Ocean, the Isthmus of Panama has been a major crossroad of the world, linking two great continents and separating two great oceans. His discovery opened up a shorter route to Peru and the gold of the Incas. Fortune seekers from Europe could land at Colón, cross the narrow isthmus, and set sail on the Pacific for Peru.

By 1519 Spanish settlements had been established, and the king’s appointed governor, Pedro Arias de Avila, had settled in the village of Panama. Under his rule, Balboa’s Indian allies were killed and other Indians were enslaved. Many fled to the jungle or to the swampland and isolated islands on the northeast coast. A priest, Bartolomé de la Casas, was outraged by the Indian enslavement and persuaded Spain’s government to send African slaves in their stead. The separation of Indian groups from Panamanians remains today. African slaves became so important that the British were given a contract to deliver 4,800 slaves a year for 30 years. Slave revolts moved the Spanish king to interrupt the delivery for a time.

The California gold rush in the 1840s renewed interest in travel between the oceans. In 1845, the United States helped build the first transcontinental railroad that crossed Panama. Meanwhile, France, Britain, and the United States explored the possibility of a canal to join the two oceans by way of either Panama or Nicaragua. In 1879 Ferdinand de Lesseps of France, and builder of the Suez Canal, began construction of a canal in Panama under a license from Colombia. However, disease (yellow fever, malaria), rain, and mud made him abandon the project. From 16,000 to 22,000 workers had died.

Panama is a city with a complete combination of the historic and modern lifestyle. It was founded in the year 1517. It has a wide range of theaters, nightclubs, shopping malls, and fine restaurants and from the historical point of view it has been an international crossroad so people over there always have an amicable attitude for everybody even with strangers. If you are looking for a relaxation and at the same time a place to have lots of activities and fun, then Panama City is the best option to enjoy out with friends and family.

Basically there are the three diverse areas that Panama boasts, that visitors should be aware of i.e. the modern skyscraper, the Colonial-era Casco Viejo and the Panama Viejo, which is also known as the old Panama City. This old Panama City has the ruins of the 16^th century, whereas Casco Viejo is known for its belongings from the 17^th to 19^th century. They have amazing monuments, churches, convents, and historical museums etc. that are a must to see for everybody. Now, fine restaurants have been built in and around these antiques so it attracts the tourists all the more. And the modern Panama City has everything that one needs today, right from banks to nightclubs. Panama is also considered to be the safest city anywhere found.

When you are planning to go for a vacation for the first time it is always advisable to make arrangements through a travel agent or a tourist guide. We will arrange your trip in such a manner that you will not miss any of Panama’s sight seeing beauty. The two most popular tourist-visiting places are the Miraflores Locks where we can see the ships passing through the locks of the Panama Canal and also Amador Causeway, which again is a must see. It has a causeway connecting 4 small islands with rocks excavated from the Panama Canal.

Besides there are ample of shopping malls and edible joints to keep you busy and entertained all the time. Being a small country it’s handicraft is famous all over. The most famous being ‘molas’, and even hand woven baskets are worth to buy and cherish. The Panamanians are known for their creativity and beauty. The shopping malls offer great discounts and bargains, which attract a lot of tourist to do loads of shopping. It has a chain of restaurants that are affordable by all classes of people, and those fond of casinos will also find there way in the city of Panama. With so many places to visit and do shopping, a visit to the city of Panama is worth and a wise decision, an ideal vacation with the family.

You can visit what is considered to be one of the wonders of the world, the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal is an engineering feat as well as a tribute to the power of the human imagination. The forty-eight mile long canal creates a passageway between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Prior to the canal being built ships would have to sail by using the Drake Passage, which was dangerous and long. The canal cut the travel time in half. But building the canal was an expensive and dangerous and took a long time to complete. Over twenty seven thousand workers died during construction and it cause around 375 million dollars to complete. There is a new project along the canal to allow it to accommodate more traffic and to update two more flights of docks. The cost of this project is estimated to be 5.25 billion dollars and will be completed sometime in the year 2015. The Panama Canal has attracted industry and business to the country, but tourists travel to Panama for its beauty. When visiting Panama you should not miss taking a trip on the canal.

After visiting the canal you might be interested in visiting a rainforest. Panama is one of the best places to visit a rainforest – it may be only ten minutes away from your hotel! The Parque Natural Metropolitano is in the city limits of Panama City. There is a road that will take you to observation area where you can see hundreds of plant and animal species. Stop at Los Trinos to bird watch, Cedar Hill is the highest point at 492 feet above sea level and there are several trails that you can hike. The Mono Titi Trail and La Cienaguita trails are moderate and will take you about one hour to complete. Other trails include Los Caobos, Los Momotides and El Roble all can be completed in an hour or less. If you wish to avoid crowds take the Caobos Trail and the easiest trail is Momotides. At the top of the hill you can see the Pacific Ocean, the entrance of the Panama Canal and the islands – Flamenco, Naos, Perico, Taboga and Taboguilla. The best time to see birds is either early or late in the day.

Other things to do in Panama include river rafting at the Rio Chargres/Chiriqui Grande. Hike the Parque Natural Metropolitano. Have a picnic in the Summit Botanic Gardens. Take a night tour of the Avenida Balboa. Go to the Causeway and visit the Smithsonian facilities. Camp in the Parque Nacional Campana. Go to Lake Gatun and fish or visit the Barro Colorado Island. Back pack to Bocas del Toro and San blas o playa Venao. Travel to Taboga and visit the Wild Life Refuge. Capture pictures of the Aguila Harpia the most dangerous prey bird in the world. Visit one of the many different Regional Fairs that may be in progress.

Panama has so much to do in such a small area. If you are interested in a trip that will provide you with an opportunity to do something unusual for a reasonable price – choose Panama.

The Panama Canal is world renown, but just what is so great about it? Why are so many people interested in it? Well, the Panama Canal is not just a regular everyday canal, but is a testament to the power of human imagination and engineering.

The Panama Canal, which is considered by many to be one of the wonders of the world, is a pathway to and from the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Before the Panama Canal project was complete, the only way sailors and merchants could travel from one ocean to the other was by using the Drake Passage, which is a very dangerous and lengthy journey by the precarious Cape Horn right off the southern tip of South Africa. The forty eight mile long Panama Canal enabled merchants and sailors to cut their trips from one ocean to the other in half.

The Panama Canal was a long, hard, dangerous, and expensive project. More than twenty seven thousand workers lost their lives during the project. Moreover, American paid out about 375 million dollars in order to get the project completed – at the time, it was considered the most expensive project construction wise in the history of the United States.

This 375 million dollar price tag pales in comparison to the new project in the Panama Canal, which entails creating and installing two more flights of various docks. This new project is estimated to cost 5.25 billion U.S. dollars. Though this is a costly project and will not be finished till some time in the year 2015, experts believe the project to be worthwhile because it should help accommodate growing marine traffic in the Panama Canal.

Even though the Panama Canal has its roots in business and industry, it is a beautiful sight for any tourist to see as well. If you have a chance, you should not pass up traveling the Panama Canal. There are various cruise lines that take the Panama Canal on their journeys to other destinations, but many of their passengers love to see the Panama Canal itself. It is simply amazing to see the amount of work people could accomplish in the early Twentieth Century with nowhere near the amount of technology or machinery we have available to us today.

There are also quite a few real estate opportunities on or near the Panama Canal itself, which are great investment prospects for those people looking to expand their portfolios. Numerous investment brokers in the area and elsewhere can provide you with details about the land and buildings on the market.

Thus, whether you are a business person interested in finding a safe and fast route to ship your goods or simply a tourist looking to broaden your horizons, the Panama Canal is something you truly can not afford to miss. Regardless of your reasons for visiting, the beauty of the area and the amazing about of work that went into the project will amaze, astound, and inspire you. Just make sure to bring your camera!