"The Big Ditch" Panama by seagoingJLW

Panama Travel Guide: 1,953 reviews and 3,753 photos

Panama Canal

From the Atlantic, ships enter the Panama Canal via the port of Cristobal. Every year some 15,000 ships flying the flags of approximately 60 different countries pass through here. From Cristobal ships travel about 7 miles to Gatun Locks where they ascend a total of 85 feet to the level of Gatun Lake. Ships are helped along by powerful mechanical "mules" mounted on special tracks.

Water for the locks (around 52 million gallons per transit) is supplied by Gatun Lake, an immense artificial reservoir of 168 square miles.

After crossing the lake, the ships enter the Gaillard Cut, site of the continental divide. This narrow passage between sheer cliffs is just wide enough for two-way traffic except in the case of some very large ships. A good part of the 6o million pounds of dynamite used in the canal's construction was detonated here.

Gaillard Cut continues for 8 miles to Pedro Miguel Locks where one lift lowers ships 31 feet to Miraflores Lake. The final descent to sea level takes placein the two lifts of Miraflores Locks.

As you leave the canal, you see the 5,000 foot long Puente de las Americas which spans the entrance to the Pacific Ocean and forms an important part of the Inter-American Highway.

We went through the first time aboard the Cunard Crown Dynasty (now the Braemar.) That was in 1997. We went from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean. We did it in the other direction in 1998 aboard the Statendam.

You can see both ships in my travelogues.

Pros and Cons

Pros:What a magnificent feat of engineering
Cons:None that I can think of
In a nutshell:Take a ship through the locks. You won'tregret it.

Last visit to Panama: Dec 1998
Intro Written Sep 14, 2002
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Reviews (17)

Bridge of the Americas Favorites (15)

This is the Bridge of the Americas which spans the Panama Canal on the Pacific side. It is 354 feet tall and 5,007 feet... more travel advice

Visit the San Blas Islands... Favorites (15)

Visit the San Blas Islands where the Cuni Indians display their wares. Officially part of Panama, the islands are... more travel advice

Molas Favorites (15)

The Cuni Indians specialize in molas., a reverse appliqué technique. Here is a mola display. See my travelogue on the... more travel advice

Visitors Pavilion Favorites (15)

This is the Visitors Pavilion on land where tourists can watch ships going through the locks. Located at the Miraflores... more travel advice

Transportation (1)
Here is a map showing the...

Restaurants (1)
Panamanian Cuisine

Travelogues (4)

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Comments (16)

Bryfred Dec 24, 2003 at 5:46 AM Report Abuse

Great Information. I will pick up a copy of McCullough's book. This should be a nice background for our Feb. cruise.
johanl Jan 14, 2003 at 6:39 AM Report Abuse

great page, excellent info, nice pics
PamelaTurner Oct 19, 2002 at 12:43 PM Report Abuse

Sailed the SanBlas Is on TeKonene (http://usboatconnection.com/TeKonene/ and it was fantastic..
truus_s Oct 19, 2002 at 10:39 AM Report Abuse

HOI!Very nice photos!!looks my nice to see this!!Greetings Truus
MacKiwi Jun 5, 2002 at 6:29 AM Report Abuse

Really informative Joan. I was there in 1989 !!
hassan_abu May 13, 2002 at 8:53 PM Report Abuse

This brings back memories of when I was a seaman going thru t
jglenn Jan 21, 2002 at 1:47 PM Report Abuse

very nice page, would love to see it
o00o Dec 26, 2001 at 7:18 AM Report Abuse

Thank yo00ou & arigato gozaimasu
mannymiami Oct 8, 2001 at 10:55 AM Report Abuse

Another great page!!!!
brdwtchr Oct 6, 2001 at 6:33 PM Report Abuse

Canal there is interesting. My brother gave me a mola.