Panama Canal Travel, Cruises And Day Tours

Panama Canal Travel, Cruises And Day Tours

by Cathy Mercer

Panama Canal travel has become a major tourist attraction in its own right. Many people now come here solely to see or experience this manmade wonder. It's not just about a tropical holiday in the sun or a few days of luxury abroad cruise liners plying this route. A lot of passengers are attracted by the adventure of sailing from one ocean to another one.

The Panama Canal was a historic project that barreled through the Isthmus of Panama and linked the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in 1914. This was previously a 9,000-mile journey all the way around the southern tip of South America. Now, it's just a quick eight-hour trip down the middle via the Caribbean Sea and the canal.

It is no doubt an engineering marvel. But what made it such a big deal was the fact that it modified the earth's natural system of landmass and water linkages. This project fueled massive development on the West Coast of the U. S. And other regions that have a Pacific coast. One such development was the growth of cruise liners setting off from U. S. Ports on the Atlantic coast taking passengers past Caribbean ports and through to the Pacific side very quickly.

Travelers not on a cruise who want to see the canal in person will have to fly in and land at Tocumen Int'l Airport. Visa formalities may differ based on nationality. However, all visitors seeking a tourist visa do need a passport and a return ticket, along with sufficient traveler's checks or cash, and a tourist card. This $5 card is waived for U. S. Citizens who are on cruise ships and intend to stay onboard while the ship is docked.

Visitors who are already in Panama City and want to get a closer look at the canal should head for the Miraflores Visitor Center. Giant ships being shepherded through the locks are clearly visible from the observation deck. The visitor center also has a few other tourist facilities such as a restaurant, gift shop, exhibition hall, etc.

Gatun Lake is probably the best place for a day trip. This lake was created artificially to provide water for the locks. Local tour operators take people out on the lake in motor boats. Visitors can see the ships and explore the surrounding jungle filled with monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas and all kinds of exotic birds.

Those who have a week or more may book a cruise for a more leisurely experience. There's a whole industry centered around taking people on Caribbean cruises that start from various ports in the U. S. And then make their way through the Caribbean in huge ocean liners that carry thousands of passengers and crew. Some are dedicated to a full transit from ocean to ocean, while others offer a partial transit.

There are so many facets to <A href="http://panamacanal.com">Panama Canal travel</A> that it's hard to manage the itinerary unless it's planned properly and undertaken under the guidance of a tour operator. There's the amazing journey through the canal, and the prospect of being able to explore Panama City, Gatun Lake and the rest of the country. Throw in a cruise with stops at various ports of call on the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts, and it makes for a pretty much unforgettable trip.



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