Hop on the Panama Canal Railway
The Panama Canal Railway is one of the world's best train journeys. Along with its fascinating history, the train travels a scenic route through the Panama Canal. The route skirts the Panama Canal, floating beside the Canal's locks, via the famous Gaillard Cut, and gliding over tiny causeways in Gatun Lake. It efficiently connects one of the world's least trafficked but most appealing tourism routes, connecting Colon on the Atlantic Coast to Panama on the Pacific.
Passengers disembarking at the Colon 2000 Cruise Terminal, the Gatun Yacht Club, or Pier 6 in Cristobal may take advantage of several shore excursions available in Panama and ride the historic train, much like our forebears did during the California Gold Rush. Passenger service between Panama City and Colon commenced in June 2001. The daily service caters to both corporate leaders travelling between the two cities and visitors in general. The 77 km (48 mile) railway, designed and sponsored by the United States, opened in 1855 to accommodate a cavalcade of 49ers on their journey to California. Today, the service leaves Panama City in the morning and returns to Colón in the afternoon. A word of caution: the city of Colón has a high crime rate; take cabs to famous nearby sights such as the Portobelo ruins on the Costa Arriba or the canal locks at Gatun or Agua Clara.
