🗓️ November 18-19 , 2023

Cost: 💲💲💲

Anyone else obsessed with the engineering breakthroughs of this world? Why do they tend to be accompanied by so much controversial history, politics, abuse, and corruption?

The history of the Panama Canal is extensive and how it came alive is impressive.

I knew nothing about the Canal up until I came across a Youtube Video Animation of how the Gatun Locks work. Once I saw this video, I became obsessed.

Who in this world thought it was possible to connect two oceans and make a shortcut?

Who in this world thought of elevating boats up and down using a lock chamber system?

I had to learn it all AND I HAD TO LIVE IT! Yes! I was fortunate enough to cross some of the original Panama Canal locks myself 😊 ( I got the Sunburn of my life though!)

📍Casco Viejo, Panama | Kat featuring a recent sun-burn due to 4+ hours of direct sun exposure crossing a boat through the Panama Canal.

Panama Canal FUN Facts: 1. Considered one of the man-made wanders of the world. 2. Its construction cost over 25,000 lives. 3. 2 Billion in Tolls are collected annually.

I’m not going to explain the History of the Panama Canal, nor will I explain how it works. All I can tell you is that it involves death, President Roosevelt, Colombia, The United States, disease, and more death.

What I can tell you is that once you look into this, you’ll want to experience this yourself and the good news is that although ships pay thousands and thousands of dollars to cross with your Temu or Aliexpress orders, you can do it too for about $150 USD.

Oh, you’ll also visualize how massive the Panamax and Neo-Panamax ships really are! 🚢

✈️ Getting There: Copa Stop-Over Program

If you’re thinking to visit Panama, I strongly suggest you do it through the stop-over Program offered by Copa Airlines. Take 2-3 days in Panama as you head down to any South American country.

Let me introduce you to a travel hack, Stop-Over Programs. These programs allow you to visit more countries without additional travel expenses! Multiple airlines offer “longer” layovers at certain destinations that allow you to explore a country without additional flight costs as you’re making your way to a final destination. Some of these airlines also offer discounted accommodations or tour packages.

Panama Stopover | Copa Airlines

Copa Airlines launches Panama Stopover, allowing travelers to take advantage of a stopover in Panama City for up to 7 days at no additional cost in airfare, to and from any of our 80 destinations in 33 countries in the network.

www.copaair.com

🚢 Booking Your Panama Canal Cruise

There a multiple tourist viewpoints to see the locks in action from a distance. However, nothing compares to getting on a ship and feeling so small as you elevate approximately 85 feet on a boat. GRAVITY IN ACTION!

Through Panama Marine Adventures Tour Company, you’ll be able to board on the Pacific Queen, a 250-people capacity Norwegian cruiser offering half-day and full-day tours for $145 and $195 respectively.

Home | Panama Canal Tours, Panama Marine

We offer Panama Canal Tours for those who wish to experience navigating through one of the wonders of the modern world.

www.pmatours.net

DO THIS BEFORE YOU BOOK YOUR TOUR 👇🏻

Visit the Panama Canal Museum

Located in Casco Viejo, the Panama Canal Museum offers you an immersive experience of the history and science behind the Panama Canal locks. You’ll want to reserve about 2-3 hours minimum to walk through the museum. The museum set-up is timeline-like. It starts at the very beginning and it helps you travel through time from the first proposals back in 1823, to the successful crossing of the first ship in 1914, to the current operations of the locks, and the newest built locks.

💭 My Impressions of Panama

My first thoughts of Panama include:

Panama is expensive : I was assuming Panama will compare to most South American Countries I’ve visited and I was wrong! I would compare Panama prices with US Prices. Most of my meals were anywhere from $15-$30.
Panama is advanced: Panama is like a Central American Miami. You will come across high-tech everywhere and luxurious skyscrapers, housing, and communities.

I was not able to experience enough to have impressions on people, culture, and food.