Panama Canal Tour: Miraflores Visitor Center & IMAX - Afternoon

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

4 hours

Mobile ticket

We begin the tour by picking you up from your city hotel at approximately 3:00 PM, ensuring a comfortable and hassle-free start to the experience. From there, we head directly to the Panama Canal Miraflores Visitor Center, one of the country’s most iconic landmarks.

This visit is scheduled so that 100% you will see ships, including massive vessels passing through the locks just meters away, some of which pay over USD 120,000 to transit the Panama Canal, underscoring its vital role in global trade.

You’ll have time to explore the observation decks and learn how the locks operate, as well as the history behind this world-famous engineering marvel. Before the movie, you can relax at the visitor center’s cafeteria and enjoy refreshments with Canal views.

The experience concludes with the impressive IMAX movie, bringing the story and impact of the Panama Canal vividly to life.

Additional Info

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

No Pet Allowed

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Miraflores Visitor Center

Miraflores Locks is one of the best places to understand how the Panama Canal works. On the Pacific side, visitors can watch ships being raised or lowered through the original lock system using freshwater from Gatun Lake and gravity alone. From the observation decks, guests see vessels pass just meters away while learning about canal operations through exhibits. The visit includes the IMAX Theater, featuring a high-definition film narrated by Morgan Freeman that explains the canal’s history, engineering, global importance, and the expansion with the new locks, creating a complete and engaging experience.

2 hours • Admission Not Included

The former Clayton Military Base is a historic area that once served as a key U.S. Army installation in the Panama Canal Zone. Today, it has been transformed into a peaceful, green district known for its wide roads, tropical forest surroundings, and well-preserved military-era buildings. The area is now home to embassies, government offices, and Ciudad del Saber (City of Knowledge), an international hub for education, research, and innovation, offering a clear contrast between Panama’s canal-era history and its modern development.

Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Bottled water

Air-conditioned vehicle

Knowledgeable Guide

Miraflores Panama Canal Entrance Fees ($17.22 adult & $7.22 child)

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Options

Group Tour from city hotel

Pickup included

From City Hotel/ AirBnB

Pickup Time at 3:00 PM: Please be 10 minutes before your pickup time at the lobby to avoid missing your tour.
Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

9 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Unforgettable Urban Sloth Encounter with Edwin
enriquevC161SM,,Jun 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Absolutely amazing experience! The Sloth Tour in Panama’s urban area was short, beautiful, and incredibly rewarding. We spotted several sloths in their natural habitat right in the city; such a unique and unforgettable sight. Our guide, Edwin, was fantastic, knowledgeable, friendly, and truly passionate about the wildlife.
Excellent Sloth Tour in Panama
L8771SGevelyna,,May 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A unique experience in the city. We could see sloths in their natural habitat without leaving the urban area. The guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. Perfect for families and nature lovers.
Sloths Tour in Panama
ausebioa,,May 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Amazing experience! We got to see sloths up close in their natural urban habitat—something truly unique in the heart of Panama City. The guide was knowledgeable and made the tour both fun and educational.
Interesting tour if you're an animal lover
Deirdreanne64,,May 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Excellent and different tour. Rafael was very knowledgeable about the area and where the sloths were hiding. We also saw lizards in the wilderness. Great day!
City to Jungle experience with great guide!
Lauren I,,Apr 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
We were picked up on time in a clean, cool van by our guide Rafael who already knew our family by name and is fluent in English. The tour kicked off with an introduction to the history of Panama and a stop-off on the side of the road to spot our first sloth. As we made our way to Gatun lake, we learned the past and future of the Canal. We saw three types of monkeys, several sloths, many water birds and a black iguana. A great time was had by all, ages 8 to 70. Rafael took great pictures that he shared with us via what's app. We plan to return to Panama and would definitely tour with this company and Rafael again!
Juan is the man!!!
Karen C,,Apr 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
We had the best day,ever!!! Juan was a fantastic guide who tailored out day out to make it really special and individualised to our interests. He really knows the area, the Panama Canal history and the best spots for seeing the monkeys. We highly recommend this tour!!!
Memorable experience - made great use of layover time
rrohan189,,Nov 30, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This tour had 2 highlights - the Panama Canal and Raphael. (1) Watching a massive 300 meter car carrier ship make its way through the Panama Canal was memorable. (2) Raphael’s humor and storytelling was a special treat. We only had 4 hours and, thanks to Raphael and our wonderful driver, we made the most of it.
Great experience! Panama is amazing and this tour is the best!
elsabA4823CJ,,Nov 27, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great trip! My sister’s family did this tour a week ago with Rafael and I just came alone and had Levy as my tour guide! Totally recommended, they love their country and want to show tourists why one should visit. Very knowledgeable and informative about history, best places to see, and how to enjoy Panama if you have just 6 hours or days. I am coming back to do other tours!
The best tour and guide ever
joyy163,,Aug 21, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Rafael was an expert of the history of Panama, had a great sense of humor and was a delightful tour guide.