Spanning 2 sunny days in March (the 17th and 18th), the island will burst into life with 10,000 expected visitors to its normally sleepy lanes. Planned as a colorful and unique event for families, there will be numerous recreational activities for visitors each day of the festival.

As the evening draws in the party will become more vibrant and lively for the adults, with the Festival of the Sea expected to become one of Panama’s biggest and best parties.  Artist and music producer Alexander Lagrotta is sponsoring the festival, and his enthusiasm for the project clearly showed when he said “I am honored to be invited to participate at this event… Taboga, an island of flowers, you are my inspiration.”

More about Isla Taboga, Panama.

Just a short distance from the mouth of the Canal, this beautiful island is normally a haven for protected seabirds. Vast colonies inhabit the far side of the island, with the town sheltered in a beautiful cove. This island offers a taste of the relaxed Caribbean on Panama’s Pacific coast, with quick access to the Canal and Panama City.

The aim of the Canal Authority is to employ from Panamanian sources the vast majority of workers with some specialized helpobtained from outside of the country.  The over 9000 people who normally work on the Panama Canal will be expanded further following the expansion and proposed building p

rojects that complement it – including bridge building and proposed development of new residences near the Canal. The $5.25 billion cost of the canal should end up driving employment throughout the country and raising an estimated twenty percent of the population out of poverty – reducing the poverty line to six percent by 2014.

This increase in sound, sustainable jobs spread over a large number of industries will drive newer projects and further investment in Panama in general. A large portion of the Canal Authorities duties in regard to their employees include training and certification to ensure standards are kept high on the Panama Canal, with a resultant increase in the number of well trained workers in Panama.

The employment generated by these new initiatives will continue to help Panama push into the future in a sustainable and forward thinking way, leaving the door open for more foreign investment and further raising the standard of living around the country.

As with the building’s occupants the exhibits switch focus from the abortive and costly French attempt to the successful American effort and eventual takeover by the Panamanian government in 2000. It was built in 1875 as a hotel equipped with a monumental structure in the French style. It occupies a total building area of over 4 000 square meters. This museum, one of the most popular on the Isthmus, displays the Canal’s unparalleled engineering achievement through state-of-the-art methods.

Tools and other historical items are displayed alongside clippings and photographs displaying progress on the canal allow an insight into the physical reality of digging the channel – a colossal undertaking regardless of technological development. Displays are in Spanish but headsets are available for those with a thirst for history and facts, ranging from the numerous treaties and dealings with other countries to the pre-Columbian history of the area. The museum is a fascinating and insightful way of exploring the story of the Panama Canal and its location in the center of Panama’s delightful old town is an added bonus.

Environmental concerns have been raised in the past by deforestation affecting the watershed around the lake – subsequently reducing the water capacity. Add this to the massive increase in canal traffic since its opening this is a serious issue for the Panama Canal Authority and its clients. The Lake has an excellent reputation for wildlife viewing and this may also be at stake in one of the few accessible places in Central America to see tropical rainforest animals. Environmental concerns center around the effect on the wildlife and water reserves sustainability.

The Canal Authority has stated that it plans to clamp down on logging around the Canal to ensure the security of the water table around Gatun as well as protect indigenous villages around expansion areas. Focusing instead on deepening the Lake to expand water capacity will allow the Canal to maintain growth and avoid issues such as salination of water through the waterways. The future of the Canal is one that is being taken seriously by Panamanians and its environmental impact is in the forefront of all talks. The future looks brighter for the recovering area around the Canal though and with more sensible policy the Canal can look forward to leading the way on profitable environmental practice.

For more tours of Portobelo and Panama visit www.toursinpanama.com

The bidding on both engineering issues and cost was won by Grupo Unidos por el Canal S. A. (GUPCSA). This group is a partnership of Sacyr Vallermoso, Impregilo, JAN DE NUL and Constructora Urbana SA. A look at the periodic reports issued by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) gives us a clue as to the immensity of the project and the professionalism in how it is being carried out.

Regular coordination meetings are held between ACP and the consortium. Summaries are published on the ACP web site. Topics discussed on these meetings include things that only an engineer could love but which are essential to the successful completion of this mega project. List includes basalt categorization methodologies; locks design progress; electricity, lighting, communication, controls, safety and protection systems; and valves manufacturing.

Panama Canal Expansion - Cement being poured into the Colon Locks

In addition ACP carried out “over-the-shoulder” design reviews on mechanical systems; communication, safety and security systems; concrete mixes; construction and infrastructure design development; and seismic design of the lock gates. As of December ACP’s review determined that the consortium’s design team was in compliance with design quality requirements and that such details as the locks document control plan are within compliance limits.

Such a mega project requires attention to detail on every level. The contractors submit information regarding thinks like concrete mix designs and then need to demonstrate proper performance under testing conditions. The contract for this project has timelines specified for every detail and such is the professionalism of ACP that all facets of the project appear to be on time and in compliance. An interesting note is that as of December 2010 the contractor for dredging on the Pacific site had removed 5.18 cubic meters of material. For a look at construction in progress one can visit the Panama Canal Authority web site and watch via the web cams.

For more information about Panama’s Canal please contact one of Panama experts today.

Back in 1913, right before the Panama Canal was inaugurated (1914), the Panama Railroad transported 2,916,657 passengers and hauled 2,026,852 tons of freight across the Isthmus. At the time the railroad had the highest per-mile traffic of any railroad in the world. Nowadays, the Panama Canal Railway is used mostly by business men who travel for work to the Colon Free Trade Zone and for tourists who wish to take a trip back in time.

Ride the Panama Canal Railway in comfort in vintage passenger cars, with luxurious wood paneling, tables, carpeted floors, soft lamp lighting, wooden blinds, air conditioning, bathrooms, large windows to appreciate the picturesque journey and open-air viewing decks that allow passengers to step outside and “smell” the tropical rainforest. Panama Canal Railway passenger cars have snack service and a bar. There are five passenger cars operated at the moment and they are all named after a river of Panama.

Panama Canal Railroad Tracks

Panama Canal Railway’s passenger train operates Monday through Friday between Panama City and Colon. It is recommended to make reservations to guarantee availability. The train departs Panama City at 7:15 am and departs Colon at 5:15 pm. Train ride takes one hour and it is recommended for passengers to be at the terminal 40 minutes prior to departure.

To enhance your train ride experience you can have a local guide accompany you to explain the history of the railroad and the Panama Canal, railroad operation and your surroundings.

To book your Panama Canal Railway passenger ticket or a tour guide contact Panama Travel Group

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There are several options for doing a Panama Canal Helicopter Tour: thirty minutes, one hour and one hour and twenty minutes. Prices depend on the helicopter that is chosen, on time and the amount of passengers.

Canopy Tower Lodge

Thirty Minute Panama Canal Helicopter Tour: is the shortest and most economic option to see the Panama Canal from a bird’s perspective. Fly 800 feet above Panama City and to your left side you will see the impressive Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks. This special view will give you a better understanding of how the locks system works, as you see cargo ships, oil tankers, and cruise ships crossing.

After passing the Pedro Miguel Locks you will reach the Culebra Cut, which is the shortest par of the Panama Canal and the Canopy Tower, an old radar tower, converted into a popular birdwatching hotel and destination. Surrounding the Canal path you will see the Canal Expansion work and then a lush tropical rainforest.

Along the same path you will reach the Gatun Lake and fly over the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. This area is great for taking photography, since the Lake and the River have countless islands, and it is even possible for you to see the wildlife from above!

Gatun Light House

As you return to the city, the helicopter will reach a higher elevation of 1,300 feet. As you head into the city you will see the skyline, the Amador Causeway, Taboga Island, the Bridge of the Americas and the Bay of Panama! You will slowly descend into the Albrook airport, ready to share your amazing photos of your Panama Canal Helicopter Tour with your friends and family!

One Hour Panama Canal Helicopter Tour: is similar to the half an hour tour, with the exception that you get to see the Panama Canal complete, all the way to the Atlantic Ocean! After passing Gamboa, the helicopter will turn left and head straight towards the Gatun Locks, which is the only set of locks in the Atlantic side. The flight to this area offers a truly spectacular sight! You will see lush rainforest, small islands, bays, shallow water, and even crocodiles and manatees on most trips!

The Gatun Locks will be visible to your left, as you loop around the locks and fly above the Gatun Dam. On a clear day it is possible to see Colon City. Because of security reasons, the helicopter has to fly above 2,500 feet to cross the locks, but you will have plenty of time to see them. Return to Panama City, keeping the main shipping channel on the right side. Once again, the helicopter will descent 1300 ft, as we pass over shallow water, islands, and inlets.

San Lorenzo Fortc

One Hour and Twenty Minutes Panama Canal Helicopter Tour: is similar to the one hour Panama Canal Helicopter Tour, with an additional 20 minutes that will allow you to fly over the Caribbean Coast west of Colon! After passing the Gatun Locks you will head northwest towards Fort Sherman, a former US Army base. Then you will head southwest, to Fort San Lorenzo, an old colonial fort situated on a point overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Fort San Lorenzo contains numerous internal chambers and walkways, as well as wide open spaces. Photographic opportunities abound here, as they do throughout your trip!

Pass the Fort and continue up the Chagres River, flying low to get a close view, until you reach the Gatun Dam and follow the same path than in the one hour tour.

To book a Panama Canal Helicopter Tour contact Panama Travel Group or

Monkey Island Tours | Full Transit Tour | Partial Transit Tour | Helicopter Tour

Start your Partial Canal Transit at the Flamenco Marina at the Amador Causeway. It is possible to start the tour going north up the Canal towards the Atlantic Ocean, but on most occasions you will go south. From the Marina you will board a bus to go up to the town of Gamboa and board the boat to start the Canal Crossing.

You will enter the Panama Canal north of the Culebra Cut (the name is given since it resembles a snake) which was carved through the Continental Divide and is the most narrow part of the Panama Canal. Travel 13.7 kilometers until you reach the Pedro Miguel Locks. During your transit you will be able to see the Panama Canal Expansion and all the maintenance the Culebra Cut needs to prevent landslides. Before reaching the Pedro Miguel Locks at the southern end of the Cut, you will be able to view the new Centennial Bridge which crosses over the Canal.

View of the Panama Canal

The Pedro Miguel Locks are the first of the two sets of locks on the Pacific side of the Panama Canal. You will be lowered 9 meters in one step at this lock and continue on to the Miraflores Lake, an artificial lake that separates the Pedro Miguel and the Miraflores Locks. In the Miraflores Locks you will be lowered 18 meters in two steps, as you reach the Pacific Ocean, where you will pass under the Bridge of the Americas to reach the Flameco Marina.

The Partial Canal Transit include bilingual guide, soft drinks and water, continental breakfast, lunch, snacks and transportation from the Marina to Gamboa. You should bring comfortable clothes, hat, sunblock, sunglasses, raincoat, money for souvenirs and of course a camera to take plenty of photos!

Panama Canal Locks