Panama is one of the most modern and progressive tourism destinations in Central America. Although Panama offers a wide variety of attractions and activities, the Panama Canal is perhaps its best-known and most popular attraction. A voyage through the Panama Canal is at the top of the list for thousands of tourists, and those who have completed the trip describe it as one of the most memorable adventures in their lifetime. The Canal is one of the most fascinating places in the world where human ingenuity, and the wonders of nature, come together to connect two great oceans and join the world.

The Panama Canal is a lock-type canal, approximately 80 kilometers long, which unites the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans at one of the narrowest points of both, the Isthmus of Panama and the American Continent. The Canal officially opened its doors to international trade on August 15, 1914, and instantly shortened vessel voyage times and fuel consumption, while dramatically improving the delivery time for the world's goods. The waterway also provided an immediate stimulus to the global economies by giving a major boost to international trade. Since that date more than 900,000 vessels have transited the waterway. The Canal was built and operated by the United States until noon, December 31, 1999, when it was transferred to the Panamanian government, in accordance with a Treaty in 1977.

The Canal's three sets of locks, each of which has two lanes, operate as water lifts to elevate ships 26 meters above sea level to the summit level of Gatun Lake, where they cross the Continental Divide, and are then lowered back to sea level on the opposite side of the Isthmus. During these lockages, which use water obtained from Gatun Lake, the miter gates seal the locks chambers and gravity drains the water to the lower levels. Approximately 197 million liters of fresh water are used for each lockage and ultimately flushed into the sea. Each set of locks features a Control House on the center wall of its higher chamber, from which this entire operation is directed. Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks are on the Pacific side where tidal differences are more significant and the Gatun Locks are located on the Atlantic side, where tidal differences are minimal.

Though most vessels use their own propulsion throughout their transit of the Canal, they are assisted when passing through the locks by electric locomotives, which use cables to align the ships to avoid contact with the lock walls. The locomotives also serve to assist vessels by providing towing and braking during lockages. Working in pairs, locomotives move on rails and keep the vessels centered within the locks chambers. Depending on its size, an oceangoing vessel can require assistance from four to eight locomotives.

Many of the major cruise lines include a transit through the waterway in their itinerary, allowing passengers to enjoy luxurious comfort, while experiencing the unforgettable pleasure of seeing the eighth wonder of the engineering world in action. Plus, there are a variety of exotic, modern, historic, and simply memorable places that can be seen while in transit or by land. The following is a tempting selection that awaits all tourists.

At the southern entrance of the Panama Canal is the Amador Causeway. This beautiful and picturesque causeway, lined with tropical palm trees, and with magnificent views of the Canal and the Panama City skyline, was built from excavated material during Canal construction. It took 18 million yards of solid rock extracted from the famous Culebra or Gaillard Cut of the Panama Canal to build this Causeway. The Causeway was formerly part of a military base, which has been transformed into a flourishing tourist attraction. Great restaurants, hotels, shopping arcades, marinas and a convention center provide an infrastructure that is attracting ever-increasing tourism. The causeway is also the home of the Marine Exhibition Center of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), where visitors can see and touch exotic species of Panama's Caribbean and Pacific marine life, and learn about marine-coastal environments. An excellent paved pathway, the full length of the Causeway, is an irresistible temptation to anyone desiring a leisure walk, jogging, biking, skating or roller-blading. The causeway is also popular with locals and tourists who want to enjoy a swim in the Pacific Ocean; or simply relax with fabulous scenic views.

Mi Pueblito, located at the foot of Ancon Hill in Balboa, is a miniature village-like replication of early architecture, construction and life throughout Panama. Visitors can appreciate the modesty and gracefulness of typical countryside villages, the antillian villages that used to house Panama Canal workers, and a Kuna Indian village with its huts and handcraft. Of popular interest are the colorful "molas" available in varying designs, patterns, and sizes, which can be purchased at reasonable prices.

The Panama Canal Administration Building was inaugurated on July 15, 1914, exactly a month before the official opening of the Canal. According to records dating back to the construction era, the entire building cost $879,000, a sizeable sum at the time. The building is at the top of a hill, prominently overlooking the Canal, the town and port of Balboa, and parts of Panama City. The Administration Building serves as the headquarters of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and houses administrative offices. Of particular interest to tourists are the Administration Building's colorful murals that adorn the ceiling of the inner rotunda. These murals were painted by New Yorker William B. Van Ingen, who is also known for his murals in the U.S. Library of Congress, and the Philadelphia Mint. They depict the monumental labor involved in building the Canal through four scenes: the Culebra Cut excavation, the Gatun Dam Spillway construction, the Miraflores locks construction and the building of one of the colossal lock gates. These murals commemorate the efforts, courage, and heroism of the multinational workforce dedicated to building the famous canal that united the world's two greatest oceans.

Located near the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal this spectacular city has a vibrant, cosmopolitan life and hosts one of the most important U.S. dollar based banking centers in the world. Since the city is located at the crossroads of the world, it is a shoppers paradise with goods available from every corner the world. Visitors to Panama City can also see historic Spanish ruins in Panama Viejo. Founded in 1519, it was the first Spanish settlement on the Pacific Coast and one of the most magnificent cities of the New World until it was completely destroyed by the pirate Henry Morgan in 1671.

In the southwest of the city, on a small peninsula jutting south into the bay, is the Casco Viejo, or the historical district, with its delightful mix of colonial architecture and renovated luxury homes. Built by the Spaniards in the 1670s, to relocate the city destroyed by Henry Morgan, the Casco Viejo was surrounded by walls to provide protection from pirates. Some remnants of the Spanish fortifications can still be seen, including Las Bovedas (the Vaults), a sea wall containing dungeons. The Casco Viejo features several notable buildings, including the colonial Catholic cathedral built in 1673, the Presidential Palace, the Golden Altar of the Church of San José (made of pure gold), and the National Theater.

The Panama Canal Railway is a fully renovated transportation system that runs parallel to the Canal, essentially following the original path of the world's first trans-continental railroad. Today, the railroad is primarily dedicated to moving containerized cargo between Pacific and Atlantic ports. Tourist trains provide daily service, offering fantastic views of the Canal, rainforests and the natural beauty of flora, fauna and rugged terrain. The journey takes less than one hour, in modern air-conditioned coaches, with open-air viewing platforms, which are great for taking pictures.

Pipeline Road, located along the banks of the Canal near the town of Gamboa, was named by the Audubon Society as one of the best places in the world for bird watching up to 500 species in a day! This protected area is also home to an abundance of wildlife.

The Canopy Tower, located at the heart of the Soberanía National Park and just 30-minutes away from Panama City is a paradise for bird-watchers. This facility provides visitors a unique aerial view of the forests of central Panama. Hundreds of bird species, howler monkeys, and royal blue butterflies, can easily be viewed from this vantage point.

Located on the East side of Miraflores Locks is the Miraflores Visitors Center, the perfect place to observe Canal operations. This newly inaugurated facility has large balconies, where tourists can see the opening and closing of the locks miter gates as ships begin or finish their voyage through one of the Canal's three sets of locks. Four exhibition halls, organized by themes, constitute the heart of the Miraflores Visitors Center. The exhibitions are dedicated to the history of the Canal, the importance of water as a source of life, the Canal's operation, and its crucial role in world trade. Historical objects of Canal operations, interactive modules, video presentations, and models of the Panama Canal are exhibited in the Center. Some of the exhibits replicate the feeling of being inside a navigation simulator or in one of the lock culverts. Nature lovers will enjoy watching displays of the different species of flora and fauna that inhabit the Canal's watershed, and learning about the role of water in Canal operations and its preservation.

Although Panama has several world-class golf courses, one of the newest and most easily accessible to tourists is the Summit Golf & Resort. The golf course is located on the East bank of the Panama Canal along Gaillard Highway and only 20 minutes by car from downtown Panama City.

Different theories have been written about the Continental Divide. Several would place the divide somewhere around the low point of the Continental Divide, through which the Panama Canal was built. The Continental Divide is an 8,000-mile long geological uplift that forms the backbone of the North American continent, running from Alaska to the Panama Canal. It separates the landmass into the major watersheds of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Vessels transiting the Panama Canal pass through the Continental Divide.

This landing station in Panama Canal waters is an excellent starting point for a tropical tour of beautiful Panama.

Discover the secrets of the upper rainforest canopy by riding on the Gamboa Rainforest Resort aerial tram. This thrilling experience provides close-up views of unique species of Panama's flora, as well as all kinds of indigenous mammals including coatimundi, peccary, howler monkey, squirrels, capybara, and sloth, and beautiful birds such as toucans, trogons, and parrots, which are also plentiful

The Gatun Lake Recreational Center, located on the Atlantic side of the Isthmus, is a landing facility for cruise passenger shuttle boats. This is a great point to initiate land-based tours of areas near the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal.

Two other special highlights of the Canal are Gatun Lake, one of the world's largest man-made bodies of water, which spans 163 square miles, and the canal's narrowest section and most difficult excavation, the Gaillard or "Culebra" Cut, an eight-mile channel built through solid rock.

The Gatun Locks Visitors Pavilion is a must for disembarking cruise passengers and tourists on the Atlantic side of the isthmus. The deck of the pavilion allows a birds-eye view of vessels undergoing a lockage at Gatun Locks.

Near the banks of the Gatun Lake, live many families of Embera Indians. The Emberas live today much as they did when the Spanish conquerors first set foot in Panama. The primitive lifestyle and humble communities provide a journey back in time to another world.

Portobelo is a former Spanish fortress, located on the Caribbean coast in the province of Colon. During the days of the Spanish conquerors, Portobelo was an important transshipment point for the movement of gold, silver and gems originating from Peru and Mexico. It is the burial place of Sir Frances Drake, whose lead coffin is supposed to be buried somewhere in the bay.

Located at the delta of the Chagres River, Fort San Lorenzo is an old fortress built by the Spanish Crown in the 16th Century, to protect transatlantic trade from the constant threat of renowned pirates, like Sir Francis Drake and Henry Morgan.

The Colon Free Zone is a major distribution center at the Atlantic gateway to the Panama Canal, primarily dedicated to the re-export of an enormous variety of merchandise to Latin America and the Caribbean. Most of the goods originate in the Far East and Europe. Tourists are allowed to shop duty free when presenting their passport.

Panama's topography and geographic location present interesting choices for everyone. Beautiful mountains provide an excellent quiet retreat from a bustling city life, and rivers can offer an exhilarating white-water rafting experience. Tropical rainforests are an excellent destination for those who like to see the natural fauna and habitat up close. Coastal areas have some of the best beaches in the world, the finest fishing, scuba diving, and snorkeling, and spectacular coral reefs with colorful marine life. Some terrific tropical islands are also nearby for anyone wishing to make a short leisurely cruise by boat. Some islands are accessible by commuter aircraft.