Agua Clara and Gatun Locks, Atlantic Bridge
At the visitors center of the new Agua Clara Locks you see how the big ships are being elevated or lowered between the Caribbean Sea and Gatun Lake of the Canal. About 15 ships per day pass through the new locks. You might see an enormous container or gas ship. Using huge water saving basins, up to 60% of the water can be reused in the chambers of the new locks.
Driving over the huge new Atlantic Bridge to the other side of the Canal you have a great view to the Atlantic Canal entrance, the old and new locks in a distance.
At the platform of the Gatun Locks you have an excellent view how the ships pass through the old locks guided by the unique locomotives holding the ships in the center and Panamax-ships only two feet from the walls on each side. At the earthen Gatun Dam you see how the Chagres River got transformed to the biggest man-made lake at the time.
San Lorenzo
We can take you further back in time by a drive through the rainforest of San Lorenzo Nature Reserve to the mouth of the Chagres River. Here, surrounded by pure nature, the old colonial Spanish Fort San Lorenzo overlooks on a cliff the Caribbean Sea, once protecting the access up the Chagres River towards the Pacific side. This World Heritage Site and its surroundings are a great addition to the Canal visit especially for history buffs and nature lovers.
If wished, we take you on a rainforest walk, looking out for wildlife and discovering the different flora of the evergreen Caribbean side.
The San Lorenzo Nature Reserve is one of the best places for bird watching. Our special birding tour takes you to the famous Achiote Road.