Observation Centre Canal Expansion
Observation Centre Canal Expansion
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4.5
53 reviews
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SueWolves53
Wolverhampton, UK297 contributions
Jan 2020
From the platforms at the centre you are able to see the ships enter the canal being moved by the tugs. Not always able to get good photos due to the fences, better in some parts than others.
There is an informative short video which they do keepletting you know when one is starting over the loud speaker.
Ther is a small stall and cafe.
There is an informative short video which they do keepletting you know when one is starting over the loud speaker.
Ther is a small stall and cafe.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BOB G
San Fernando, Chile13 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
Ok, If you are not from Panama and don't know the area you are going to get lost. Get good directions beforehand and know where you are going. COLON CAN BE DANGEROUS. The center itself was nice but apart from looking at the new canal there isn't much in the way of a museum or information like at the Miraflores Locks. The nature trail is nice, open your eyes and you will see wildlife. The negative part of our experience is that we went with my two girls and my niece. All are Panamanian but because we are white the woman who sold the tickets didn't believe us. She actually interviewed the kids about where they go to school and asked questions about Panama. It was an embarassment. I finally paid the tourist price for myself because I was tired of the stupidity. The irony of it is that the father of my niece (who was with us) was the Director of Public Relations for the canal and designed the center as well as the film that they show. His name is the first in the credits. Really a silly experience.
Written February 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LaDulceVida
Singapore, Singapore8 contributions
May 2014 • Solo
The trail leading to the Observation Centre was not easy to find. The paved road from Colon had disappeared and I was on gravel and the GPS unit of my rental car was of no help. After passing the parking area for those working on the canal expansion, look for a gravel track heading south. There is a booth/kiosk and a gantry at the head of this track. There are a few blue signboards along the track to reassure you that you are on the right track. If you end up at the Gatun Locks visitor centre, you have gone too far and missed the left-turn. The long and bumpy track then cuts through jungle and it finally opens up onto a parking lot and landscaped grounds.
I went on a Wednesday and arrived late in the afternoon. It could have been near closing time as there were no other visitor except for myself and I only saw a couple of staff. The cafeteria was closed and the restrooms were locked.
There is a ticket booth and turnstile but these were not manned and I just walked in free although there is a tariff board above the ticket booth. The place was clean and well-kept but it is so out-of-the-way that probably it is not on the usual tour bus itinerary.
The observation deck has a great view of the new locks under construction. The scale of the project is just awesome! However, that's all there is to do there - look the the construction site or catch a glimpse of ships approaching or departing from the Gatun Locks channel.
Considering that it is well over 90km from Panama City, it may not be worthwhile for some to make the trek there. The attraction for me was the once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the "guts" of the locks in a dry state. Once they let the water in, that's it. The bulk of this engineering marvel will be under water and there will be nothing much to see.
I went on a Wednesday and arrived late in the afternoon. It could have been near closing time as there were no other visitor except for myself and I only saw a couple of staff. The cafeteria was closed and the restrooms were locked.
There is a ticket booth and turnstile but these were not manned and I just walked in free although there is a tariff board above the ticket booth. The place was clean and well-kept but it is so out-of-the-way that probably it is not on the usual tour bus itinerary.
The observation deck has a great view of the new locks under construction. The scale of the project is just awesome! However, that's all there is to do there - look the the construction site or catch a glimpse of ships approaching or departing from the Gatun Locks channel.
Considering that it is well over 90km from Panama City, it may not be worthwhile for some to make the trek there. The attraction for me was the once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the "guts" of the locks in a dry state. Once they let the water in, that's it. The bulk of this engineering marvel will be under water and there will be nothing much to see.
Written June 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChristineC_831
Santa Cruz, CA311 contributions
Jan 2014 • Couples
I'm a well traveled soul of varied travel tastes. I transited the canal in a yacht so the surroundings were no surprise. I'd say travel by rental car was by far my most unpleasant experience in this bio diverse region. If you seek danger and squalor look no further than Colon. Driving is NOT for the faint of heart, and being able to blend-in is almost impossible.
Written January 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen_Pinn
Barrie, Canada1,547 contributions
Mar 2020
So excited once we arrived to see a huge tanker go through locks. The viewing platform was busy but we managed to get a great view of the locks in action.
Written March 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Larry T
Milford, DE543 contributions
Mar 2020
We visited here as part of a Princess excursion. We were allotted two hours. At first it was very busy but then thinned out. When busy it is hard to get a good viewing spot at the observation deck to see the ships going through the locks. If you can get a good position up front than you can get good photos. As it turns out our cruise ship was returning through the locks from Gatun Lake. It was quite a sight to see. You also get good views of Gatun Lake and ships on the lake waiting to go through the locks. The observation center seems to be a relatively new facility. There is a theater that offers a short documentary on the Panama Canal in English on the hour and in Spanish on the half-hour. You can purchase snacks here and there are tables under roof where you can sit to eat or just relax. There is a gift shop. The facility has nice restrooms. If you are adventurous there is a short nature trail through the rain forest. We took the trail but did not see any wildlife. The variety of plants and trees though was interesting.
Written March 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mr. A
Grayson, GA98 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
This is a place to spend a couple of hours to get a full idea of the importance of the Panama Canal. There is a restaurant, walking trails and a fantastic view area of the new locks, as well a the old locks. You ca almost reach out and touch ships entering the new locks.
Written February 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brent H
Toronto, Canada444 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
Truly an amazing experience, fantastic modern facility, quite busy watching the ships brought through by the tugs was incredible
Highly recommend this if you are in the area
Highly recommend this if you are in the area
Written February 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
249edward
Chatham, UK53 contributions
Oct 2018
The observation centre gives the visitors the chance to admire the expanse of Gatun lake .the panaramic views ,vessels passing to and fro and the ships anchored for the all clear to move into the locks Its difficult to apprehend this man made lake is 164sq mls and was built in the early 1900s with a depth of over 30ft.
There are 2 partially covered in platforms. the ist over looks the lake and the 2nd is to the right overlooking the new expansion locks.And its breathtaking as the ships pass through the locks into the Carribean.
It does get crowded and when it rains it rains hard.
The centre makes the visitor comfortable ..There are plenty of seats Has a cafe/res,toilets,a gift shop and a small theatre showing the history of the canal.
going back to when the French started and abandoned this project in the late 1800s due to loss of life..The rest is there to see. This centre is once seen never forgotten.
There are 2 partially covered in platforms. the ist over looks the lake and the 2nd is to the right overlooking the new expansion locks.And its breathtaking as the ships pass through the locks into the Carribean.
It does get crowded and when it rains it rains hard.
The centre makes the visitor comfortable ..There are plenty of seats Has a cafe/res,toilets,a gift shop and a small theatre showing the history of the canal.
going back to when the French started and abandoned this project in the late 1800s due to loss of life..The rest is there to see. This centre is once seen never forgotten.
Written December 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luv2TravelFarNWide
Atenas, Costa Rica1,384 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
Newly opened and really a nice facility with plenty of outdoor viewing options to watch the huge ships traverse one set of locks. Hard to believe just how big these PanaMax freighter behemoths really are. And the new huge cruise ships are frighteningly big. And you're close enough to see them clearly.
In addition there's a snack bar, as well as a restaurant, a very small gift shop, and a theatre where they play a documentary about the construction of the new locks. FYI, the English version is played on a very limited basis, so call before you go. Also, they sometimes "close" the center for large cruise ship groups, so again, call before you show up.
Overall, it's definitely worth the stop. Having just completed a 5-day transit on a small cruise ship (on the old locks), this visitor center was the ONLY way we would ever want (or get) to see the new locks. Not going on one of the monster ships.
In addition there's a snack bar, as well as a restaurant, a very small gift shop, and a theatre where they play a documentary about the construction of the new locks. FYI, the English version is played on a very limited basis, so call before you go. Also, they sometimes "close" the center for large cruise ship groups, so again, call before you show up.
Overall, it's definitely worth the stop. Having just completed a 5-day transit on a small cruise ship (on the old locks), this visitor center was the ONLY way we would ever want (or get) to see the new locks. Not going on one of the monster ships.
Written April 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are headed to the Canal in May on a cruise. Some of us are Canal geeks and eager to see the actual lock and the Observation Centre. Others are not so sure. Might you share whether there is an elevator and how high the observatory is? Can't find this info & one of the members is fearful of heights.
Thank you!
Written March 28, 2017
Why was the decision made to put the new visitors center in Colon????? Not only is it out of the way for tourists in Panama City, but both the US and Canadian government discourage their nationals from going there on official websites for tourists and diplomatic staff, and we did get lost and ended up in the docks area on our way out, and felt concerned about our safety in a car with rental plates.
Also, the driving in July was hazardous beyond belief. Twice on our way there we had to stop the car because there was zero visability in the torrential downpour. We didn't experience this once when we were driving on the Pacific side of the Isthmus.
Written August 26, 2016
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