Panama Canal
The waterway across the isthmus, joining the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through a system of locks. Visitors watch ships pass at visitor centres along the route.
Panama Canal
Visitors can watch large vessels go through the Miraflores Locks on the well-known canal between the Atlantic and Pacific.
Attractive locations
Gatun Lake
A huge artificial lake that forms a central part of the Panama Canal. Ships cross it, and small islands, forested shores and wildlife make it a popular place for boat trips.
Culebra Cut
The narrow channel dug through the continental divide, one of the hardest parts of the canal to build. Viewpoints show the steep banks and passing ships in a dramatic cut through the hills.
Soberania National Park
A rainforest park along the Canal, with walking trails, a famous bird-watching tower and an abundance of wildlife. Toucans, monkeys and many other birds can be seen close to the capital.
Barro Colorado Island
A forested island in Gatun Lake that is run as a tropical research station. Visits are limited and organised through the research institute, and the island is valued for the study of rainforest life.
Lake Alajuela
A large reservoir that stores water for the canal, surrounded by forest. Small boats and kayaks glide on its quiet water, and the shore is a place for birdwatching and relaxed days outdoors.
Gatun Locks
The Atlantic-side locks near Colón, where ships are lifted into Gatun Lake in three steps. A visitor centre looks out over the chambers.
Airports
Tocumen International Airport PTY
It is about 41 km in a straight line from Panama Canal.
Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport PAC
It is about 27 km in a straight line from Panama Canal.
Panamá Pacífico International Airport BLB
It is about 28 km in a straight line from Panama Canal.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan25.9 °C18 mm
- Feb26.5 °C9 mm
- Mar27.2 °C15 mm
- Apr27.7 °C98 mm
- May27.3 °C245 mm
- Jun26.9 °C239 mm
- Jul26.6 °C208 mm
- Aug26.6 °C224 mm
- Sep26.5 °C248 mm
- Oct26.3 °C257 mm
- Nov26.0 °C251 mm
- Dec26.0 °C100 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Mar. Wettest months: Sep, Oct, Nov.
Costs
Prices here are about 45% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
911 for police, ambulance and fire.
local government
Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá (ATP)
Helps with: Panama's national tourism authority. Its website lists a central phone line and email, plus regional offices and airport information centres, for tourism information.
Who qualifies: Anyone visiting Panama or planning a trip there.
Phone: +507 526-7000
Email: [email protected]
Address: Edificio BICSA, Financial Center, Piso 29, Ave. Balboa y Aquilino De La Guardia
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Panama
Helps with: The UN migration agency. Its Panama office, in Ciudad del Saber, works on migration matters in Panama; its contact page lists a phone, email and address.
Who qualifies: Migrants and migration-related cases in Panama. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +507 305 3350
Email: [email protected]
Address: Calle Vicente Bonilla, Edificio 110, Ciudad del Saber, Clayton, 0819-00017 Panamá
local government
Emergency number 911 (police, ambulance and fire)
Helps with: Reaches police, ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 911
local government
Police emergency number 104
Helps with: Reaches the police. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 104
local government
Ambulance and fire emergency number 103
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 103
ngo
Panamanian Red Cross
Helps with: The ICRC supports the society's humanitarian work, including family unity and restoring contact between family members. No contact details are given, so use the society's website.
Who qualifies: The page does not say who can use it. It describes the society as an auxiliary to the State, with volunteers.