We can't control the Canal, but we can plan around it. We check the ship schedule every day and time our visit to Miraflores for the hours when vessels are moving through the locks. About 99% of our guests see ships in action. It's the part of the day we build the itinerary around.

Yes. Your Miraflores Visitor Center ticket ($17.22 per person) is already part of the tour price, so you pay nothing at the gate.

Usually 1.5 to 2 hours at the Miraflores Visitor Center. That's enough time to watch the ships go through, walk the exhibits and spend a while on the observation decks without rushing.

Rain here is unpredictable all year, but it rarely lasts long. When it starts we change the order of the day and go to the covered stops first, like the Miraflores exhibits and the indoor areas of the Visitor Center. Once it passes we head back outside.

We also keep umbrellas in the vehicle, just in case. The tour runs rain or shine.

Meals are not included and there is no fixed lunch stop. You'll find cafés, bakeries and restaurants along the route, especially in Casco Viejo, so you can pick up a coffee or a snack whenever you want one.

We still suggest bringing some snacks and water, above all if you're traveling with kids.

The Casco Viejo walk is around 1.5 to 2 kilometers, about a mile, at an easy pace. We stop often for photos and stories, so it never turns into a march.

Yes. Kids have a great time and they learn something without really noticing. The Canal and the Panama Sign are their favorite parts almost every time.

We keep the pace easy and adjust the day to your group.