Agua Clara Locks Visitor Center — Attraction in Cristóbal

There is a $10 admission charge. All funds are in USD. We came by cruise ship transport coach, so our fees were included. The coach dropped us off at the Atlantic side [south] entrance. The parking lot is large and very clean. The coach left us there and went to another section to park. We were free to explore the Visitor Center on our own. There are clean and monitored restrooms with an attendant, but no food or beverage service. There is a short 12-minute video describing the construction of this massive project, plus walls of photos, and exhibits. One may walk the 1/2-mile walking path along the expanded Canal, and there is a short Ecological Trail. Picnic grounds with tables are available and there is some playground equipment. Guides and attendants speak English and were friendly. Take advantage of the Agua Clara Sculpture sign to take a photo. Then, there a walkway along the Canal where we stood and took photos. This area has seating and is covered. The upper-level viewing platform by the theater is also covered including the stairs and ramp to reach it. This was a very pleasant place, and other than the cruise excursion visitors, families were enjoying this outing. Do remember that this is tropical heat with intense sun. Panama gets 19 feet of rain annually, so one could expect a short tropical rain shower, but noting more. Umbrellas are not needed. One walks and needs comfortable shoes, water, and...

Much quieter than Miraflores. Rented a car and drove up there today. There are two viewing platforms - one at lock 1 and another at lock 2; so you can see the ships being lowered 9m, and then lowered a second time. There is no viewing platform for lock 3. You can walk between to the second platform or take the free shuttle bus.

Announcer was excellent, clear, with good English, good speed, and gave so much information but also, information about the actual ships that were passing at that moment. Both announcers at Platform 1 and 2, were both excellent.

Same price as other location. There is a short movie to watch, if you choose, it near the front entrance. Its similar to the Imax but has a lot more information just not fancy like Imax.

Drive was easy and approx 1.5 hours.

I prefer this lock (other than the imax show) than Miraflores. You also get to see the ships lined up from Gatun Lake waiting to get into the lock and then again, a line up (a queue) to enter from the Atlantic side.

There was a particular information sign showing the types of ships that pass through and visually what they would look like. Ie) A grain ship looks like this. A LPGas ship would look like this. An automobile carrier would look like this. I never knew how different they are and I can (attempt) to identify them now. I appreciated the signage at...

Not enough parking for such a big complex. Most of the parking is taken by huge buses with tourists from Cruise Ships. A Canal Security officer tells one where to park and to be alert at a call of your car plate in case one needs to move the car. How can a person enjoy the visit if one has to pay attention to a call on the busy speakers and then must walk a distance to move the car??? To buy the tickets the ticket counter salesperson needs to learn manners to deal with public. Gave and extremely hard time to an 86yrs old Panamanian lady for not having her Cédula...being a dependant of a Canal employee eith 30yrs of service there was no need for such behavior or attitude. No manners taught. Poorly handled. Only reflects the mediocrity of the new Canal management we have fallen into. These were not the manners or ways we had before in the Canal. The souvenir store leaves a lot to be desire. It has nothing worthwhile and overpriced. Highly disappointing....poorly run. The young hostess on duty was the only one that proved to have the "old school" ways of a welcoming Canal. Obviously taught by her family, certainly not Canal Management. A tourist may be fooled....you cannot fool the locals that know the truth and history. The Star is for...