Miraflores (Panama)

Miraflores is the name of one of the three locks that form part of the Panama Canal, and the name of the small lake that separates these locks from the Pedro Miguel Locks upstream. In the Miraflores locks, vessels are lifted (or lowered) 54 feet (16.5 m) in two stages, allowing them to transit to or from the Pacific Ocean port of Balboa in Panama City. Ships cross below the Bridge of the Americas, which connects North and South America.

More information Legend ...

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,

Atlantic railway 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,

Corozal railway 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

Close

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 and IMAX 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.

The locks in operation
USS Missouri passing through the Miraflores locks in 1945
Main building of the Miraflores locks
The Hanjin Wilmington in transit through the Miraflores locks toward the Pacific Ocean