The United States began construction work in 1904, employing nearly 75,000 men and women to build the canal, which opened to traffic ten years later in 1915. Today, the 80km (50 mile) canal still stands as one of the most important engineering feats in the world, providing passage for over 12,000 ships every year. An open-air balcony at Miraflores Locks offers visitors good views of the electrical locomotives or ‘mules’ pulling giant ships through as the water levels are balanced.
^* IMPORTANT: due to certain restrictions, we may not be able to offer cover to certain countries if they are deemed a war-zone and/or if the FCO recommends no travel to the area/ region/ country.