PAN: Panama Canal

Miraflores Locks, Panama City, Panama

Panama Canal is one of the world's crucial arteries of international trade, ranking among the largest and most challenging engineering projects ever undertaken. Completed in 1914 after years of ambitious construction, the artificial 82-kilometre waterway has transformed global trade by providing a vital shortcut between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

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TWN: EVA Air BR226 & BR36 (Economy)

CAN: Radisson Blu Toronto Downtown

CAN: Toronto Downtown

CAN: Super 8 by Wyndham Niagara Falls

CAN: Niagara Falls

USA: Niagara Falls State Park

CAN: Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral

CAN: Montreal - Trudeau International Airport

CAN: National Bank VIP Lounge @ Montreal - Trudeau International Airport

CAN: Air Transat TS938 (Economy)

MEX: City Express Plus Cancun

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PAN: Copa Airlines CM292 (Business)

PAN: The Executive Hotel Panama

PAN: Panama City Downtown

PAN: Panama Canal <YOU ARE HERE!>
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COL: Hotel Vilar America

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COL: El Dorado International Airport

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TRY: Turkish Airlines TK800 (Business)

TRY: Turkish Airlines TK208 (Economy)

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The canal features a three-lock system that controls the flow of water, lifting and lowering the water level to allow ships to pass through between the two oceans. My BFF and I visited Miraflores Locks on the Pacific side by taking an Uber ride.

For non-residents, the admission fees are as follows:

- PAB 17.22 (~S$22.80) per person aged 13 and above

- PAB 7.22 (~S$9.55) per child aged 6 to 12

- free-of-charge for children under 6 years old

Oops, it looks like "si" is missing from "since" in the first sentence!

The canal significantly reduces the travel time for ships between the two oceans by approximately 8,000 kilometres compared to the alternative route around the southern tip of South America.

On average, 200 million litres of fresh water are needed for each ship to pass through the canal.

It takes about 8 to 10 hours for a ship to traverse the canal.

Here's a short video clip on a boat tour passing by the canal.

We were lucky enough to witness a massive cargo ship passing by. Hailing from Japan, Orchid Ace is a vessel designed for transporting vehicles across the seas.

The admission ticket includes access to to the IMAX theatre where you can watch a 3D movie about the history and operations of the canal.