Miraflores (Panama)

Main article: Panama Canal locks
Panama Canal
Legend
km
mi
Atlantic Ocean(Caribbean Sea)

0 Atlantic Entrance,Manzanillo Bay Breakwater entrance

8.7
5.4
 Port of Colón (Cristóbal)

Colón, cruise terminal, MIT, Free Trade Zone, Airport
Cristóbal harbor,Atlantic passenger station

Third Bridge

1.9
1.2
 Gatun Locks3 chambers, 26 m (85 ft)

Atlantic Locks(3 chambers; Water saving basins)

Gatun Dam,Chagres River hydroelectricity, spillway

24.2
15.0
 Gatun Lake

Gatún River, causeway, Monte Lirio bridge

8.5
5.3
 Gamboa

Chagres River,Madden Dam, Alajuela Lake

with hydroelectricity
12.6
7.8
 Culebra Cut(Gaillard Cut)

Continental watershed, summit

Centennial Bridge (Pan-American Highway via Panama City)

1.4
0.9
 Pedro Miguel Locks1 chamber, 9.5 m (31 ft)
Pacific Locks(3 chambers; Water saving basins)
1.7
1.1
 Miraflores Lake

1.7
1.1
 Miraflores Locks2 chambers, 16.5 m (54 ft); spillway

13.2
8.2
 Port of Balboa

Diablo, Corozal passenger station, Airport, Terminal

Balboa

 
total
 Bridge of the Americas (Arraiján–Panama City)

77.1
47.9
 Pacific Entrance
 Pacific Ocean(Gulf of Panama)
 Legend 
Navigable canal(maximum draft: 39.5 feet (12.0 m))
Third set of locks lane(under construction)
Non-navigable water
Dock, industrial or logistical area
 Water flow direction
Panama Canal Railway(passenger station, freight station)
 City, village or town

Miraflores is the name of one of the three locks that form part of the Panama Canal, and the name of the small lake that separates these locks from the Pedro Miguel Locks upstream. In the Miraflores locks, vessels are lifted (or lowered) 54 feet (16.5 m) in two stages, allowing them to transit to or from the Pacific Ocean port of Balboain Panama City. Ships cross below the Bridge of the Americas, which connects North and South America.

As of 2005, the following schedule was in effect for ship transit through the locks: From 06:00 to 15:15, ships travel from the Pacific toward the Atlantic. From 15:45 to 23:00, ships travel from the Atlantic toward the Pacific. At any other time, travel is permitted in both directions.

A visitors center allows tourists to have a full view of the Miraflores locks operation. Binoculars are recommended to view the Pedro Miguel locks in the distance. As of 2010, admittance for adults to the visitors center costs US$5 (observation terrace) or $8 (including supporting exhibits and video show), with lower rates for children and senior citizens. Panamanian residents are admitted free of charge. Viewing a transit operation at the centre can take more than 30 minutes. A souvenir shop on the ground level sells related merchandise. The centre closes at 17:00.

Gallery

External links

View from visitors center
View from visitors center

Coordinates: 8°59′49.474″N 79°35′30.73″W / 8.99707611°N 79.5918694°W