Boaters are drawn to the Panama Canal for its engineering marvel and the unique experience of traversing this vital waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The canal offers stunning views, historical insights, and the chance to witness large vessels navigating its locks13. Nearby attractions include the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center and the historic Panama Canal Railway13.

For yacht clubs, the Balboa Yacht Club is located at the Pacific entrance of the canal, providing amenities like electricity, water, and fuel2. On the Caribbean side, Shelter Bay Marina serves as a key facility for boaters4.
The Panama Canal Yacht Club in Colón, a long-standing institution for sailors, was closed and demolished in 2009. This closure was not directly due to the construction of the new locks but rather because the lease on the land it occupied expired, and the property was reclaimed by Panama Ports Company for other uses.
Currently, there is no yacht club or anchorage in Colón. Yachts must anchor near Shelter Bay Marina, which has become a key facility for boaters on the Atlantic side of the canal.
The best time to visit the Panama Canal for a yacht trip is during the dry season, from mid-December to mid-April. This period offers the most favorable weather conditions, with less rain and lower humidity, making it ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing123. January and February are particularly popular due to moderate temperatures and minimal rainfall4. While November can offer lower fares, it is still part of the rainy season2.

For a 42-foot Beneteau sailboat, the cost to transit the Panama Canal can vary but typically includes several fees:
- Transit Toll: Approximately $1,935 for boats under 65 feet in 20243.
- Inspection Fee: Around $755.
- Security Charge: About $1655.
- Line Handlers: $100 each, requiring four handlers plus the captain1.
- Additional Fees: May include fender and line rentals, agent fees, and other incidental costs.
Overall, you might expect to pay around $2,275 to $2,500, depending on additional services and fees15.The transit itself usually takes about 12 to 24 hours, but delays can extend this time. It’s advisable to allow several days for scheduling and potential waiting periods due to canal traffic14.

Yellow fever is associated with the Panama Canal due to the significant impact it had during its construction. The disease, spread by mosquitoes, was a major obstacle for the French attempt to build the canal in the 1880s, leading to many deaths and contributing to their failure. When the U.S. took over, they implemented effective public health measures led by William C. Gorgas to control yellow fever, which was crucial for the successful completion of the canal137.

Today, yellow fever vaccination is not required for entry into Panama unless arriving from a country with a high risk of yellow fever transmission46. However, vaccination is recommended for travelers visiting areas east of the Canal Zone where there is a potential risk24.
Most Americans learned a bit about the canal in school and rarely gave it another thought. They knew it was a series of waterways across a narrow isthmus of Central America that connected the Atlantic and Pacific, saving weeks off the sailing time between oceans. They may even have recalled that the U.S. under President Theodore Roosevelt helped install a friendly local government in Panama and took over the canal project abandoned by the French (after injuries and disease had claimed about 20,000 workers’ lives).
But relatively few people then or now recall how the Canal Zone had become a scene of anti-American agitation and unrest in the 1960s. For decades, presidents in both parties had moved negotiations with Panama along toward an eventual handover of the zone and the operation of the canal, but it had yet to be accomplished. But the midpoint of that decade, just the suggestion of a “canal giveaway” as another American humiliation in the wake of Vietnam and Watergate had been enough to bring loud applause at Reagan events in the South. So, the campaign went all-in on it in North Carolina.
The effect was electrifying. Reagan said the canal should not be ceded to Panama or anyone else. “We built it, we bought it and we’re going to keep it,” he said. It was language Helms had used, borrowing from his neighboring state’s senior Sen. Strom Thurmond of neighboring South Carolina. Helms and Thurmond had anchored a small but potent contingent of primarily Southern senators who resisted talk of the canal’s transfer to Panama.
The campaign Helms, Thurmond and Reagan ran often featured misinformation about the Panamanian government being “Marxist” and other allegations. But it resonated with many Americans who saw the issue as a test of nationalism — even patriotism. And most importantly, it worked. When North Carolina Republicans voted, they gave Reagan a majority and a 6-point win over Ford.
Overnight, the national narrative shifted.
…
Ceding control of the canal had actually been a goal of Ford’s secretary of state, Henry Kissinger, the longtime adviser to former President Nixon. Kissinger saw the transfer of the canal as the best way to improve U.S. standing in Latin America generally. Carter had been cool to the idea as a candidate, even saying as late as his October debate with Ford that he would not give up “practical control of the Panama Canal Zone any time in the foreseeable future.” But after Election Day, influenced by Cyrus Vance, his choice for secretary of state, Carter changed his mind and gave the long-running negotiations fresh impetus.
The efforts of Helms, Thurmond and others came close to denying the treaty the two-thirds vote it needed in the Senate. But in the end, Senate Republican Leader Howard Baker of Tennessee delivered just enough of his colleagues to put the deal over the top by a single vote.
The relevant treaties were signed in September of 1977.
With Trump’s Panama Canal talk, it feels like 1976 all over again
Visitors to the Panama Canal can enjoy a variety of attractions and activities:
- Miraflores Visitor Center: Offers an interactive museum and panoramic views of the Miraflores locks, where visitors can watch ships transit the canal35.
- Gatun Locks and Lake: A chance to see the canal’s engineering in action and explore the surrounding natural beauty45.
- Panama Canal Railway: A historic train ride offering scenic views of the canal and rainforests15.
- Soberania National Park: Ideal for wildlife enthusiasts, featuring diverse flora and fauna13.
- Panama Viejo: Historical ruins offering insights into Panama’s past1.
These attractions provide a mix of history, engineering marvels, and natural beauty.

The Gatun Locks tour allows visitors to witness the intricate operation of the Panama Canal’s lock system. The tour typically involves:
- Viewing the Locks: Visitors can see the three chambers of the Gatun Locks, which raise vessels 87 feet from the Caribbean Sea to Gatun Lake14.
- Observation Points: The tour includes observation areas where you can watch ships being raised and lowered, and see the lock gates and machinery in action6.
- Educational Experience: Information about the canal’s history, engineering, and operations is provided, often through guided tours or visitor centers16.

The tour offers a comprehensive view of the canal’s engineering marvel and its role in global trade.
I remembered that visit after President-elect Donald Trump said recently that the Chinese were threatening America’s interests at the canal, and he engaged in some saber rattling by suggesting that the United States could take back control of the passage, which was returned to Panama exactly 25 years ago Tuesday. (December 2024) The handover treaties were a signature achievement of President Jimmy Carter, who died on Sunday; Mr. Trump’s comments were in keeping with longstanding criticism that the move was a strategic mistake.
But Mr. Trump misunderstands the true threat to U.S. commerce through Panama. If the goal is securing affordable access to the transit point over the long term, it is climate change, not Chinese influence, that U.S. policymakers should worry about.
Here’s why. Sending a single ship through the canal’s locks can use around 50 million gallons of water, mainly freshwater collected from Lake Gatún. Though the canal is, for the moment, operating at full capacity, a drier climate and greater demand for drinking water have in recent years reduced the volume of available water. That has forced the state-run Panama Canal Authority at times to limit the number of daily passages through the canal, at one point by as much as 40 percent.
From The Panama Canal Has a Big Problem, but It’s Not China or Trump
Seattle has Locks That are Similar
The locks in Seattle (Ballard Locks) and the Panama Canal share similarities in their core function and design but differ significantly in scale and purpose:

Similarities:
- Function: Both systems use locks to raise or lower vessels between bodies of water at different elevations. This is achieved by filling or draining lock chambers with water using gravity-fed systems123.
- Water Source: Both rely on nearby freshwater sources—Gatun Lake for the Panama Canal and Lake Washington for the Ballard Locks—to operate13.
- Gate Design: Both locks use gates to separate chambers and control water flow, ensuring safe vessel passage16.

Differences:
- Scale: The Panama Canal locks are much larger, designed to accommodate massive ocean-going vessels, including Panamax and New Panamax ships, while the Ballard Locks are smaller, handling vessels up to 825 feet in length237.
- Purpose: The Panama Canal connects two oceans for global shipping, while the Ballard Locks link Seattle’s freshwater lakes to Puget Sound, primarily serving local maritime traffic15.
- Complexity: The Panama Canal includes multiple lock sets (e.g., Gatun, Miraflores) and lifts ships up to 85 feet, whereas the Ballard Locks raise boats about 22 feet14.

Both systems are engineering marvels tailored to their specific geographic and operational needs.















AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS 1852
LAKE WASHINGTON SHIP CANAL HIRAM M. CHITTENDEN LOCKS DESIGNATED BY THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS COMPLETED 1917
“Passage Through Peril: Peter’s Panama Adventure”

Peter, an adventurous Irishman, had always dreamed of owning a sailboat and exploring the world’s waters.
When he stumbled upon a well-maintained 42-foot Beneteau that had been part of a charter fleet in the British Virgin Islands, he knew it was his chance. With excitement bubbling in his chest, he purchased the French-built beauty and hired a crew to help him sail it to the Panama Canal.

The journey from the Caribbean to Panama was filled with azure skies, gentle breezes, and the occasional squall that tested their mettle.
As they approached the canal, Peter’s heart swelled with pride at how far they’d come. They docked at Panama Canal Yacht Club, where Peter planned to spend a few months enjoying the local culture and camaraderie of fellow boaters, including fellow Irishmen.
However, trouble brewed as his crew became entangled with some local ladies who expected more than just company. Nights of revelry turned into mornings of regret, and Peter found himself playing peacemaker more often than captain. As their departure date for the canal transit approached, Peter discovered his camera, filled with precious memories of their journey, had been taken hostage by the ladies, demanding compensation for their “services.”

With a heavy heart and a lighter wallet, Peter couldn’t meet their demands. He bid farewell to his cherished photos as they prepared to transit the canal. His crew, feeling guilty about the situation, rallied around him and helped navigate the complex lock system with precision.

As they emerged on the Pacific side, Peter was surprised to receive a message from his friends Frank and Lisa in Seattle. They had spotted his distinctive Beneteau on the canal’s webcams and sent their congratulations. Their words of encouragement lifted his spirits, reminding him of the support waiting for him back home.

The Pacific crossing proved more challenging than anticipated, and Peter’s insurance company strongly suggested he consider alternative transportation methods. Heeding their advice, he contracted a ship transport company to carry his beloved Beneteau to Vancouver Canada where she was launched and sailed to American waters.

Peter later sailed through the familiar Ballard Locks, a bittersweet reminder of the Panama Canal. As he navigated the smaller yet equally impressive engineering marvel, he couldn’t help but snap photos, replacing the lost memories from Panama with new ones from Seattle.

Though his adventure hadn’t gone exactly as planned, Peter found solace in the fact that he was back in familiar waters, surrounded by the love of his wife and friends.

His Beneteau, now seasoned by Caribbean winds and Pacific swells, stood ready for new adventures in the Pacific Northwest, a testament to Peter’s resilience and the enduring allure of the sea.

Crime and Pop Culture
Donald Trump no longer has hotels in Panama. The former Trump International Hotel & Tower Panama, now known as JW Marriott Panama, was involved in several controversies:
- 1. Tax evasion allegations: Trump companies were accused of failing to pay Panamanian taxes equal to 12.5% of the management fees they drew from the hotel.
- 2. Money laundering concerns: The project was allegedly used for money laundering by organized crime groups, including Colombian drug cartels. One key player in this was David Eduardo Helmut Murcia Guzmán, who was later sentenced for laundering narcotics proceeds through the property.
- 3. Ownership disputes: In 2018, the Trump Organization was ousted from managing the hotel after a legal battle with the majority owner, Orestes Fintiklis.
- 4. Fraudulent practices: There were claims of deceptive marketing practices, including misrepresentation of the hotel’s performance to potential investors.
The Trump Organization has denied wrongdoing in these matters. While Trump profited from the project, reportedly earning between $30 million and $55 million, the extent of his direct involvement in or knowledge of these alleged activities remains unclear.

As President-elect, Donald Trump has already expressed dissatisfaction with Panama over perceived wrongs, including disputes related to the Panama Canal and his former hotel operations. Trump has criticized Panama for “exorbitant” canal fees, calling them unfair to American vessels, and hinted at reclaiming the canal, though such a move would be diplomatically and legally unfeasible12.
Panama Papers
The Panama Papers were a massive leak of 11.5 million confidential documents from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, published on April 3, 2016, by Süddeutsche Zeitung and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). These documents exposed how wealthy individuals, politicians, and public officials used offshore entities for tax evasion, fraud, and avoiding sanctions145.
Reputations Harmed:
- World Leaders: Iceland’s Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson resigned after revelations of undeclared offshore holdings. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was disqualified from office due to corruption allegations tied to the leak14.
- former King Juan Carlos of Spain was linked to offshore accounts in Panama through allegations that he received $100 million from Saudi Arabia, possibly as part of a kickback scheme. His son, King Felipe VI, distanced himself by renouncing his inheritance and stripping Juan Carlos of his royal allowance. Investigations into Juan Carlos’s financial dealings are ongoing.
- Prince Charles was named in the Paradise Papers (2017) for his estate’s offshore investments, which raised questions about potential conflicts of interest but did not involve illegal activity.
- Royalty and Celebrities: Figures like Lionel Messi and Jackie Chan were implicated in using offshore accounts18.
- Business Tycoons: Numerous billionaires faced scrutiny for hiding assets4. Donald Trump was not directly named in the Panama Papers. However, his businesses were connected to offshore dealings and controversies in Panama through the Trump Ocean Club International Hotel and Tower. This project faced allegations of money laundering involving Colombian drug cartels, with Trump benefiting financially through licensing fees. The Trump Organization denied involvement in illegal activities, claiming it had limited responsibilities as a licensor. Trump’s name has appeared in other leaks, such as the Paradise Papers, which revealed offshore ties of his associates, including Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. These revelations have fueled scrutiny over Trump’s financial dealings globally.