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Pedro Miguel Locks

pedro miguel locks the panama canal

Pedro Miguel Locks consists of only one chamber, making it the smallest of the five locks. It resides alongside Luisa Hill and just north of Miraflores Locks on the northernmost part of Miraflores Lake. Unlike Miraflores and Gatun Locks, there is no visitor center, but there is a large parking area just in front of the locks where visitors can get a close-up view of the vessels as they enter into and out of the chamber. In addition, you can watch the vessels pass under the Centenary Bridge.

pedro miguel locks the panama canal
Luisa Hill

I took these photographs from the top of Luisa Hill, which resides east of the locks. It is the second-highest point within the canal basin; only Ancon Hill, at 654 feet, is higher.

pedro miguel locks the panama canal
pedro miguel locks the panama canal
pedro miguel locks the panama canal
pedro miguel locks the panama canal
From the Roadside

A metal chain-link fence runs the entire length of the lookout area, but there are a few holes you can shoot through; it's too tall to shoot over. I took this picture of a northbound vessel departing from Pedro Miguel Locks from the main road that runs alongside the locks. To the right, you can see the Centenary Bridge and the entrance to Gaillard Cut.

pedro miguel locks the panama canal

Getting to Pedro Miguel Locks

Google Map - Pedro Miguel Locks Google Map - Albrook Bus Terminal

Buses that read "Forestal" or "Summit Gardens" pass in front of Pedro Miguel Locks and depart regularly from the Albrook Bus Terminal. They depart from the same general vicinity and arrive in only 20-25 minutes. The bus stop is directly in front of the locks, so no walking is required.

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