Miraflores Locks Tours and Tickets
What are people saying about Miraflores Locks
Miraflores Locks

On-site facilities include restrooms, a gift shop, and a restaurant with a view over the locks.
Allow up to two hours for your visit, including time to watch the ships pass through the locks.
Exhibitions are in both English and Spanish, and films alternate between English and Spanish language screenings.
The Miraflores Visitor Center is fully wheelchair accessible.
People Also Ask
What’s the best way to experience the Miraflores Locks?
There are plenty of ways to experience the Miraflores Locks. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:
How much does it cost to visit the Miraflores Locks in 2026?
Tickets to the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center for non-residents cost US$17.22 for adults and US$7.22 for kids aged 6–12. Discounts are given to Panamanian residents and to people with a registered disability. Guided tours with exclusive access to behind-the-scenes areas of the locks cost an additional US$200.
Are the Miraflores Locks worth visiting?
Yes, the Miraflores Locks are worth visiting if you want to see how the Panama Canal operates and aren't taking a boat through it. The visitor center at the Miraflores Locks is the best place to learn about the history and engineering of the canal, with its IMAX theater, and it also offers great views of ships passing through.
Per one customer who booked the Panama Canal & City Tour in Half Day: Old Town & City Views, "We really enjoyed our tour with guide Roberto. We took the morning tour and arrived at Miraflores just before they opened at 8. We were the first to get tickets and got great spots to watch the cargo ship transit the first lock. After the canal, Roberto gave us great info (in both English & Spanish) about the 5-mile exclusion zone all around the canal."
What are the Miraflores Locks?
The Miraflores Locks are one of the three sets of locks built on the Panama Canal. These locks enable vessels to pass to and from the Pacific Ocean. The Miraflores Locks are open for visitors to view the ships passing through; there is also a visitor center on-site.
What can visitors expect to see and do at the Miraflores Locks?
Visitors go to the Miraflores Locks mainly to watch the ships pass through the Panama Canal. There is a viewing deck, terrace, and bleachers where visitors can watch the ships. Visitors can also explore four halls of exhibitions and watch a 3D movie in the IMAX theater.
Is the Miraflores Locks experience suitable for children and families?
Yes, the Miraflores Locks is a popular Panama City attraction suitable for all ages, including families and younger children. The youngest kids will enjoy seeing the ships rise and fall, but be aware that crossing between the locks is a relatively slow process requiring patient viewing.
How long does a typical visit to the Miraflores Locks take?
A tour of the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center takes approximately an hour and a half, but spending up to three hours at this attraction is relatively easy. The visitor center has four exhibition halls showcasing the Panama Canal’s history and an IMAX theater screening a 3D movie about the Panama Canal.
What is the best time of day to visit the Miraflores Locks to see ships passing through?
Ships pass through the Panama Canal around the clock, but the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center and its observation areas are only open during daytime operating hours. The best time to visit to see ships passing through is early when the Visitor Center opens and within a few hours before it closes.
Are there any dining options or cafes at the Miraflores Visitor Center?
The Miraflores Visitor Center has a small concession area where visitors can purchase snacks and drinks. These light fare options are mainly meant for consuming while watching the vessels pass through the locks. There is no formal cafe or restaurant on-site that serves full meals.
What are the best attractions in and around Panama City other than the Miraflores Locks?
There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting the Miraflores Locks. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Panama City:
View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Panama City.

















































































































































