Agua Clara Visitors Center

Colón Province


This observation center offers a panoramic view of the Panama Canal expansion, including the three-chambered Agua Clara Locks. Covered decks view Lago Gatún and the original Gatún Locks as well; there is also a theater with two videos in English, a cafe and gift shop. With no on-site museum, the focus here is really about getting a good look at the expansion. A short rainforest trail has sloths, howler monkeys and toucans.

Exhibits close at 4pm but visitors must enter by 3:15pm; a visit should take about one hour. To reach here from Colón, catch any bus to Costa Abajo and alight before crossing the canal. It's a 2.5km walk up the access road to your left. A taxi will cost about US$20, or US$30 if you want to include Gatún Dam.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Colón Province attractions

1. Agua Clara Locks

0.53 MILES

The Panama Canal's Atlantic locks accommodating supersized 'neoPanamax' ships are 8km southwest of Colón.

2. Gatún Locks

1.11 MILES

The impressive Gatún Locks, 10km south of Colón, raise southbound ships 30m from Caribbean waters to Lago Gatún. Just the size of them is mind-boggling:…

3. Gatún Dam

1.39 MILES

Constructed in 1908 to shore up the Río Chagres and create Lago Gatún, the Gatún Dam was once the world’s largest earthen dam, while Lago Gatún was also…

4. Área Protegida San Lorenzo

5.87 MILES

Centered on the ruins of the crumbling Spanish colonial fortress of Fuerte San Lorenzo, the 120-sq-km San Lorenzo Protected Area includes the former US…

5. Centro El Tucán

7.26 MILES

The Área Protegida San Lorenzo is best explored with a guide, easily arranged at this community learning and visitor center, which lies on the edge of the…

6. Fuerte San Lorenzo

7.43 MILES

Declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1980, Fuerte San Lorenzo is perched at the mouth of the Río Chagres on a promontory west of the canal. Despite…

7. Panama Rainforest Discovery Center

15.6 MILES

Geared toward ecotourism and environmental education, this is an excellent facility for birdwatchers and nature-lovers. Since you are probably here to…

8. Parque Nacional Soberanía

20.5 MILES

This 195-sq-km national park is one of the most accessible tropical rainforests in Panama. It extends much of the way across the isthmus, from Limón on…