Timing is Everything: How to Successfully Visit the Miraflores Locks

If you are planning a trip to Panama, the Miraflores Locks are likely at the top of your list. But here is the secret most tourists don’t know: The Canal operates on a strict maritime schedule, not a tourist one. If you show up at the wrong time, you might find yourself staring at an empty concrete chamber.

At the Miraflores Visitor Center, you are viewing the historic, traditional locks. This is the best place to see the Panamax vessels—the massive ships designed specifically to fit these original 110-foot-wide chambers with only inches to spare.

Viewing deck at the Miraflores Locks visitor center

The Golden Windows for Transit To see the locks in action, you have to time your visit with the Canal’s daily flow of traffic:

• The Morning Window (8:00 AM – 9:00 AM): This is when the fleet is moving towards the Atlantic. You’ll see the ships entering the chambers and being raised or lowered right before your eyes.

• The Afternoon Window (Starting at 2:00 PM): In the afternoon, the traffic flips. This is the best time to see vessels exiting towards the Pacific Ocean.

The "Panama Tours Company" Difference

Why risk missing the action? At The Panama Tours Company, we handle the logistics so you don't have to.

• Expert Timing: We coordinate our tours based on the daily maritime transit schedules to ensure you are on the observation deck during the peak windows.

• Proactive Communication: We stay in constant contact with our guests via WhatsApp to manage traffic and timing updates in real-time.

• Seamless Experience: Don’t worry about navigating the 6:30 PM traffic or finding the location—we ensure a stress-free journey from your door to the Canal.

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