Panama Travel Forum

Okay, I have not done any research yet, but thought I would ask this question. I am going on a trip to South America that will give me a 10 hour layover in Panama City. What are the possibilities of going from the Tocumen Int'l Airport to any part of the Canal and then back to the airport? I would just like to take the opportunity to see the Canal since I have such a long layover and will be in the area. I wish it would be longer to take a tour, but know that is highly improbable. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Gracias!

Tocumen Int'l is only about 30 minutes from Panama City center and about the same time from the "Miraflores Locks", the top spot for visitors to the Canal. You can just hire a taxi at the airport and ask to be taken to the Miraflores Locks. At Miraflores you will see the locks in in operation (with the ships being raised/lowered from the lake to the Ocean level) and you can also visit the Visitor Center with history of the Canal and a Museum. Allot two to three hours for the visit to the Miraflores Locks. You will likely have some spare time before heading back to the airport that you can use to visit El Casco Viejo, the historical part of Panama City. Taxis are generally reliable, safe and cheap and are the most convenient way to get around.

Check my Panama City pages for additional insights.

Enjoy your trip!
Giuseppe

Tocumen International Airport is 26Km far from Panama City.
Balboa and Diablo Heights are two cities from Panama (country) that border the Canal. They are contiguous to Panama City.
If you visit first Balboa and afterwards Diablo Heights by car/van/coach you will watch the Canal. I'm not sure if military authorities are controlling this move but you just want to look at sightly places...
Ten hours to fulfill this tour is enough and to spare.
Cassiovieggore

Excellent tips! Thank you very much! I love your pages, by the way!

you can catch a cap at the airport or i could suggest a view taxi drivers that know panama very well and speak english its only a 10min drive from the airport to the city aprox. and from the city to the canal another 10-15 min total 20-25 min driver. these taxi drivers would show you the canal and describe the history and also take you back to airport.