miraflores locks visitor, the panama canal
Inaugurated in 2004, the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center is a beautiful, towering edifice just 150-200 ft. from the canal and provides unparalleled panoramic views of Miraflores Locks and the surrounding area. If you want a close-up view of the Panama Canal, there is no better place than the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center.
Unlike the Agua Clara Visitor Center, with its open, sprawling landscape, the visitor center at Miraflores consists of two large buildings. The larger of the two is the official visitor center, and the smaller — to the left — is a 3D IMAX movie theater with an immense floor-to-ceiling screen, where visitors enjoy a 40-minute-long documentary about the Panama Canal, narrated by Morgan Freeman (more on this below).
Due to its proximity to the locks, 3D IMAX movie presentation, and open viewing platform, I prefer the Miraflores Visitor Center to its sibling at Agua Clara Locks. Overall, it is a more comprehensive presentation that feels more connected to the canal.
With that said, the visitor center's museum and upper observation decks are closed for renovation and not expected to reopen for two years — only the smaller viewing platform on the second floor and the 3D IMAX movie theater are open to the public. Despite the closures, I still recommend visiting and prefer it to Agua Clara Locks.
Miraflores Visitor Center – the Miraflores Visitor Center consists of two large buildings. To the right, up on the hill, is the main building, where you'll find the viewing platform and gift shops. To its left is the 3D IMAX movie theater. Between them, under the rectangular glass panels, are the elevators.
Just moments before reaching the Visitor Center's entrance, your tour bus will pass in front of Miraflores Dam, the smallest of the canal's three dams; the dam resides off to the right side. If you miss it on the way in, you will have another opportunity when departing, but you must be seated on the left side to see it. The same is true if arriving by car, traveling on the "Metro" — Panama's public bus system, or walking in from the main road.
Miraflores Visitor Center – the smallest of the three dams, Miraflores Dam, resides off to the right as you enter the visitor center from the road and impounds the water, forming Miraflores Lake.
The movie theater entrance is on the left of the staircases; it is the furthest entrance to the left, just beyond where it reads "IMAX" in large letters on the building’s facade. You might find a line outside waiting to enter, depending on when you arrive. There is no roof to protect you from rain or the sun, so bringing an umbrella might be a good idea.
After entering, you must turn left and pay at any of the three cashiers; bathrooms are straight ahead. For non-residents, the entrance fee is $17.22 for adults and $7.22 for children. (It is unlikely cruise ship passengers participating in an excursion will have to wait in line. You will likely proceed directly to the elevators since the cruise line has already paid your entrance fee.) After receiving your tickets — one for the movie and the other for the visitor center — it's a short elevator ride to the second level, where you'll find a large open gift shop. From there, another elevator takes you to the uppermost level.
Upon exiting the elevator, you'll find yourself in a large open room with floor-to-ceiling glass panes on two sides; unfortunately, your view is of the parking lot below. There is ample seating, with plenty of tables and chairs.
When looking from right to left, along the wall is where you enter the theater. Just left is a counter where you can purchase soft drinks, popcorn, and other snacks; everything you can expect in a typical movie theater. Further to the left is a coffee store/counter and a bar. The bathrooms are in the far left corner; turn right after the bar.
Before entering the theater — when presenting your entrance ticket — you'll receive black, non-folding 3D glasses. After the movie, when departing, you must place them into large bins near the exit door to make them available for the next visitant. So I suggest bringing a small cloth to clean them of fingerprints, haze, etc. They are in constant use.
The movie lasts 40 minutes and consists of still photographic images, video, timelapses, and drone footage, covering the most critical aspects of the canal. From the initial French efforts to the recent expansion, Morgan Freeman does a fantastic job narrating, bringing a well-written and well-thought-out presentation to life. The 3D nature of the presentation adds an engaging and pleasing dynamic. It's a first-rate visual and audio presentation, a must-see if visiting Miraflores Locks.
You exit the theater into the same souvenir store mentioned above, and to reach the observation platform, you'll need to ascend the elevator again and enter the Visitor Center or main building. From the top of the elevator, continue straight through the glass doors and steer to the right. The entrance to the sole viewing platform is in the back on the right side; it's a short walk and easy to navigate. At the entrance, you'll need to present the other ticket; left of the entrance is another small souvenir store.
When exiting the entrance door, you'll see Miraflores Locks' white and blue painted control tower off to the left. If you have previously visited the Agua Clara Locks Visitor Center, you'll immediately notice the locks' proximity. You are right on top of them! The Miraflores Locks Visitor Center, by far, provides the closest view of the Panama Canal.
Continue left towards the staircase leading to the second-floor observation platform — no elevator exists. Before reaching the staircase, you'll encounter several square informational columns in English and Spanish with intriguing facts about the canal. There are several large photographs along the back wall as well. Beyond the staircase, along the left wall, is a small store selling snacks, with tables and chairs in front.
Upon reaching the second floor, as you proceed towards the viewing platform, you'll see illustrations along the left wall depicting the many types of ships that transit the canal and a brief explanation of how the canal works.
The observation platform consists of six rows of bleacher seats, providing viewers with unobstructed views of the locks' two chambers and control tower; one chamber is on each side of the control tower. Around the seating area, there is ample space to walk and take pictures. Along the edge is a waist-high handrail that does not obstruct your view. Everything is right in front of you: the control tower, chambers, electric mules, tug boats, and ships. You can watch as the vessels are lifted and lowered, the chamber doors open and close, and the ships, accompanied by electric locomotives, move from one chamber into another.
To the right, in the distance, is Miraflores Lake, Pedro Miguel Locks, and the Centenary Bridge, which marks the entrance to Gaillard Cut. To the left, you also have a distant view of the Cocoli Locks control tower, which is noticeably larger; you should also be able to see vessels in the lock chambers; ships transiting through the new locks are enormous.
The exit is alongside and to the right of the entrance, with a public bathroom on the left side.
It is important to note that Miraflores Locks was built during the initial construction era over 100 years ago, whereas Agua Clara Locks are only five years old. They have different designs, and their respective visitor centers deliver different experiences. Each is unique and has something special to offer. Electric locomotives, for example, are not utilized in the new set of locks; you will only see them in Miraflores. Likewise, two tugboats accompany transiting vessels in the new locks but not in Miraflores.
Buses to Miraflores Locks depart regularly from the Albrook Bus Terminal and take only 15-20 minutes. Buses that read "Miraflores" will take you to the visitor center's entrance, whereas buses that read "Forestal" and "Summit Gardens" will drop you off along the main road passing in front of the locks.
If you take the latter, you will need to walk 5-10 minutes to the visitor's center. From the roadside, walk along the right side of the entrance road; there is a yellow metal railing.
After passing through the entrance gate, continue walking until you cross over the newly built cement bridge; you will see the Miraflores Dam off to your right. Depending on the ocean tide, you may see crocodiles basking in the sun in the shallow water under or near the bridge.
After crossing the bridge, follow the walking path to the left, and proceed until you reach the large staircase/elevator that leads to the main entrance. Do not follow the asphalt road up the hill.
A wide-angle zoom (15-60mm) and medium telephoto (70-200mm) should be all you need.
With the wide-angle, you can take panoramics of the control tower, vessels inside the lock chambers, and the environs. Given the Visitor Center's proximity to the locks, a lens with a 15-25mm focal range is best. Otherwise, you might clip the ships. However, you are just a few hundred feet off the canal, and the ships are of considerable size, so capturing it will require a very wide-angle lens.
The telephoto will enable you to isolate tug boats, chamber doors, electric locomotives, and ships. Remember that the locks measure 1,000 ft. in length, so it's a long way to the end.
Make sure to visit both platforms because they provide very different perspectives. The higher you go, the steeper the angle, but more is visible.
Camera support isn't necessary unless you are shooting a timelapse, video, etc. You are indoors and standing on a stable platform.