The community is well known for its handmade crafts such as baskets and carved statues, as well as temporary tattoos made from the black dye of Jagua fruit. The Embera women expertly craft baskets from the leaves of Chunga (black palm), often adorning them with geometrical patterns or animal iconography. Some of the baskets are black and white, while others use vivid natural dyes, and the highest quality baskets are so tightly woven they can hold water. The Emberá women are also known for their animal carvings, which they make out of both Tagua nuts...
Panama Canal
Arguably the most famous attraction in Panamá is the Panama Canal. As one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World, the Panama Canal is a must-see for anyone traveling in the country. Built to dramatically decrease the travel time for ships between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, the Canal has seen over 900,000 vessels and counting. At one point this engineering miracle was considered impossible to build, but today, you can see it for yourself.
Did you know that The Canal uses a lock system to lift ships up 85 feet to the elevation of the canal? How about the fact that it takes 8-10 hours for each ship to make the transit through the canal? Learn about all of this and more at the visitor center at Miraflores, where you can watch an IMAX documentary of the history of the canal narrated by Morgan Freeman. At Miraflores, you’ll also be able to watch the ships in transit just a few meters away.
For another vantage point, visit the Agua Clara Visitor’s Center on the Atlantic side of the Canal in Colón. Here, you’ll be able to see both the ships and the canal. Agua Clara is also where the brand new, larger locks are housed. Consider making a day of it, by canoeing the Chagres River afterwards, where you can visit the indigenous Emberá community in the Panama Canal watershed. Want the full Canal experience? While in Panama City, you can even organize a crossing of the Canal as a day trip to see the locks from a new perspective.
Getting There
To visit the Canal, the Miraflores Visitor Center is just a 15-minute drive from downtown Panama City. The Agua Clara Locks are a 1-hour drive from the capital, nearby to Colón City in the Atlantic.
Explore more things to do
Top Attractions
Panama is a unique country that rewards exploration, bringing together countless sights and...
Cultural & Historic Sites
Panamá connects the world, and not only because it’s the bridge between North and...
Gastronomy & Cuisine
Foodie or not, you’ll want to experience the uniquely Panamanian cuisine, comprising flavors,...
Nightlife
Panama’s nightlife mainly takes place in two sectors of the city: the Business District in...
Surfing
Panamá is a surfer’s haven. We welcome you to the stunning shores of our fishing...
Birdwatching
Panamá is home and a place of pilgrimage to more than 1,000 bird species. The tropical...
Turtle Sanctuaries
On the Sandy shores of Panamá, sea turtles live, grow, and thrive under our warm sun and safe...
Hiking
Rich in tropical flora, diverse wildlife, and picture-worthy sights, Panamá trails offer...