Visit Miraflores Locks and Casco Antiguo in Panama City
Panama City, Panama

Visit Miraflores Locks and Casco Antiguo

Outty Ranking 51 3.3 · 12 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $17
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Outty Ranking

51/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

3.3/5

Based on 12 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Visit Miraflores Locks and Casco Antiguo worth booking?

Visit Miraflores Locks and Casco Antiguo is a 3-hour experience in Panama City, Panama, from $17 per person. It scores 51 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 3.3/5 rating across 12 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
51 / 100
Rating
3.3/5 (12)
Duration
3 hours
From
$17 per person

Panama is uniquely situated as a land bridge connecting North and South America and is known for the Panama Canal which links the world's largest oceans. Many Panama tourists visit the Miraflores Locks at the canal's Pac

What you get

  • Private transportation
  • Entrance to Miraflores Visitor Center
  • Driver/guide
  • In-vehicle air conditioning

About this experience

Panama is uniquely situated as a land bridge connecting North and South America and is known for the Panama Canal which links the world's largest oceans. Many Panama tourists visit the Miraflores Locks at the canal's Pacific entrance. There, you can see millions of gallons of water transferred in mere minutes, all done by gravity. During this tour, you will visit the captivating plazas and main attractions of Casco Antiguo, including the Metropolitan Cathedral, Canal Museum, Flat Arch, Esteban Huertas Promenade, Saint Joseph Church (Golden Altar), French Plaza, Bolivar Palace, Central Hotel, Thomas Herrera Plaza, and many other places.

What's included

Included

  • Private transportation
  • Entrance to Miraflores Visitor Center
  • Driver/guide
  • In-vehicle air conditioning

Not included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off, Decameron, Sheraton Bijao and Playa Blanca
  • Entrance for Miraflores Locks

What you'll see and do

  1. Panama Canal

    Visit Miraflores Lock, museum and watch movie of Panama Canal History.

    120 minutes here · Admission not included

  2. Casco Viejo

    Know the history of the old town, visit church of the golden altar, plaza de france, the flat arch and its history, the presidential house and much more.

    60 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Hotel pickup

Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.

Before you book

Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Languages
en, es
Ticket
Mobile Only
Runs on
Every day
Group size
Up to 15 travelers per booking
Operated by
Lift Panama

Know before you go

  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
  • Hotel pickups commence approximately 30 - 15 minutes prior to this time

Photos

lift panama miraflores locks 1lift panama miraflores locks 2lift panama miraflores locks 3lift panama miraflores locks 4lift panama miraflores locks 5Visiting miraflores locks

What travelers are saying

Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 12 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

The guide

6 mentions

Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

Traveler reviews

12 verified traveler reviews for Visit Miraflores Locks and Casco Antiguo. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

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Arnold_C · October 2024

Great

This was a great tour from pickup to drop off. Jorge was an outstanding host. We did have a problem using the digital tickets at at the Locks entrance. We had to pay an additional $17.00 per person for entrance and to see the movie. We thought that the price included everything at booking. We’re looking into this as a possible refund. Overall it was a good tour. Thanks!

Response from the operator: Thanks a lot for your comments, of course we refund you the tickets,

via Viator

375estellen · December 2022

Totally Disappointed

We were super excited to visit the Panama Canal. Our driver, Shey, was on time and friendly. Unfortunately when we arrived, we were turned away because there wasn't another ship scheduled to come through until 3:00. We arrived at 1:00! That wasn't the issue though. We were also told that Miraflores museum etc. was CLOSED! There was nothing to see but an empty lock structure. There was no museum, no cafe, and no IMAX theater. It was so bad that they are only charging $10 because nothing else is open. It would've been nice to know this before booking a trip with Trip Advisor. The only saving grace was that our awesome guide offered to take us along the Amador Causeway and to the Mi Pubelita settlement since we had already toured Casco Viejo days before. When we returned at 3:00, we still didn't see a ship until almost 5:00, and we ended up having to take an Uber back to our apartment. Trip Advisor should make it clear that these attractions aren't open and that time can get thrown way off due to ship timing. Do better Trip Advisor!

via Tripadvisor

Pam S · March 2022

Amazing Experience at the Canal

Amazing experience to see the canal. Very friendly driver who was prompt and courteous. I highly recommend this if you are looking for a tour just to see the canal without an extra stop.

Response from the operator: Thank you for your comments, we love serving our customers and that they have the best experience in our country!

via Tripadvisor

Constance_N · February 2020

Wouldn't accept Viator tickets

They wouldn't accept our online tickets, even though the barcodes were clear, and made us pay $20 each for their specific paper tickets. Not happy this trip cost me $76 for the both of us and we didn't get a personal tour or anything. Extremely dissappointing! Would like my $36 returned.

via Viator

Denise-and-James · February 2020

This wasn't a tour

This "tour" consisted of getting a ride to and from the locks. Tour guide didn't come in with us, or give us any kind of information at all about the locks. Very disappointing, probably could have hired a cab for less and gotten the same service.

via Tripadvisor

Good to know

Duration
3 hours
Free cancellation
Up to 24h before
Minimum age to book
All ages
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Every day
Price range
$17 to $60
Hotel pickup
Included for all travelers
Booked in 30 days
4
Verdict
Worth a Look

Who runs this experience

Operated by Lift Panama, who run 7 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 44.7.

See everything Lift Panama runs

Why this scores 51

The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)40
Review evidence (18% weight)34
Booking momentum (14% weight)25
Value for money (12% weight)100
Listing quality (10% weight)94
Local standing (8% weight)0
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

Visit Miraflores Locks and Casco Antiguo: questions travelers ask

Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Panama City.

How much does Visit Miraflores Locks and Casco Antiguo cost?

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Prices start at $17 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Panama City usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

How long does Visit Miraflores Locks and Casco Antiguo take?

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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Panama City is not rushed.

Is Visit Miraflores Locks and Casco Antiguo worth it?

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It holds an Outty Ranking of 51 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.3/5 across 12 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Panama City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

Can I cancel or reschedule Visit Miraflores Locks and Casco Antiguo?

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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

Is Visit Miraflores Locks and Casco Antiguo suitable for kids and families?

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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

How far in advance should I book Visit Miraflores Locks and Casco Antiguo?

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Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Panama City can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

What should I bring or wear?

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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Panama City and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

Where does Visit Miraflores Locks and Casco Antiguo start and how do I get there?

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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Panama City within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

What are the best things to do in Panama City?

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On Outty we rank every Panama City experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Tour to a waterfall and Embera village with lunch included, Panama City Visit an Indian town Embera and waterfall with lunch, Ocean to Ocean Combo: Canal Boat Safari, Agua Clara & Gatun Locks. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

When is the best time to visit Panama City?

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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

How many days do you need in Panama City?

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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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