Miraflores (Panama)

Panama Canal

Legend

km

mi

Atlantic Ocean

(Caribbean Sea)

0

Atlantic Entrance,

Manzanillo Bay Breakwater

8.7

5.4

Port of Colón,Cristóbal (city)

8.7

5.4

Port of Colón,Cristóbal (city)

Cruise terminal,Manzanillo (MIT),Free Trade Zone,E.A. Jiménez Airport,

Atlanticrailway station; freight terminal

Atlantic Bridge

(2019)

1.9

1.2

Gatún Locks

3 chambers, +26 m (85 ft)

Agua Clara Locks

(2016) 3 chambers, 3 water saving basins each

Gatún Dam,

Chagres River,hydroelectric power(22.5 MW),^[1]spillway

24.2

15.0

Gatún Lake

Gatún River,causeway, Monte Lirio railway bridge

8.5

5.3

Gamboa

Chagres River,

Madden Dam,Alajuela Lake

hydroelectric power(36 MW)^[1]

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 Locks

1 chamber, +9.5 m (31 ft)

Cocolí Locks

(2016) 3 chambers, 3 water saving basins each

1.7

1.1

Miraflores Lake

1.7

1.1

Miraflores Locks

2 chambers, +16.5 m (54 ft); spillway

13.2

8.2

Port of Balboa,Balboa (city)

13.2

8.2

Port of Balboa,Balboa (city)

Diablo (hamlet),M.A. Gelabert Airport,

Corozalrailway station; freight terminal

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))
					Non-navigable water
					Dock, industrial or logistical area
					Water flow direction
					Panama Canal Railway(passenger station, freight station)
					City, village or town

Mirafloresis the name of one of the threelocksthat form part of thePanama Canal,and the name of the small lake that separates these locks from thePedro Miguel Locksupstream. In the Miraflores locks, vessels are lifted (or lowered) 54 feet (16.5 m) in two stages, allowing them to transit to or from thePacific Oceanport ofBalboainPanama City.Ships cross below theBridge of the Americas,which connectsNorthandSouth 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 2024, admittance for adults to the visitors center costs US$17.22 (observation terrace andIMAX theater) with a lower rate for children. Panamanian residents are admitted at US$3 per person.^[2]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 18:00.

Gallery

The locks in operation
USSMissouripassing through the Miraflores locks in 1945
Main building of the Miraflores locks
TheHanjin Wilmingtonin transit through the Miraflores locks toward the Pacific Ocean