Panama Canal

Panama Canal

The Panama Canal was completed in 1914 under the administration of Teddy Roosevelt at a cost of $533 million, requiring 35,000 men and 10 years to build. An engineering marvel, no pumps are used in filling or emptying the locks or "steps" that rise and fall between the two mighty oceans on either side. The Canal saves 13,000 miles of ocean travel around the tip of South America for vessels that traverse the 51.7 mile course. It takes 58 million gallons of water for a single ship to descend the 85 feet from the Pacific to the Atlantic, and takes a mere 8 hours.

Attractions

While you're sailing through the Panama Canal, take time out to explore the beautiful surrounding area. A great way is a kayaking ecological tour through the islands that surround Gatun Lake. Rich in animal and plant life, these islands are home to 93 species of mammals, 366 species of birds and 1,368 species of vascular plants.

Activities

Explore Portobelo, the former emporium of the riches of the New World, once an important commercial depot and a paradise for pirates. Take a tour of the Gatun Locks, once the most massive in the world and still an impressive sight today. Go monkey-watching on a tour of the small islands dotting the Chagres River.

Currency

The currency is the "Balboa" which is the same value as the US dollar.

Weather Forecast

Sailing Calendar

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