How to Tour the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal opened in 1914 thanks to the combined efforts of the United States and France. It was to be used as a vital trading port and connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Today, the Panama Canal remains a vital port for international trade and has also become an international tourist attraction. While there are several ways to tour the Panama Canal, the best is perhaps by reserving a Panama Canal Eco Tour.

The Best Time to Cruise Panama

If you're looking for relief from bitter winter weather, consider a cruise along the Panama Canal. Panama's tropical climate falls between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, with the best weather from December to April. This season also includes several holidays and the nation's largest festival. After April, however, be prepared for frequent rainstorms that may interfere with your cruising fun.

The Dry Season

Mid-December to mid-April is the dry season in Panama, and while the weather will still be humid, you're less likely to get stuck in your cabin due to rain. The sunniest weather is usually between March and May. Cruises, hotels and other accommodations may be more expensive during this time, however, since it's Panama's high tourism season.

Festivals and Holidays

Panama's biggest event, Carnaval, is in February on the four days before Ash Wednesday. A February cruise to Panama will let you catch the party atmosphere of the city and the favorable atmosphere of dry season. Other holidays in dry season include Christmas, New Year's Day, Martyr's Day on January 9 and Easter, which may fall before mid-April.

How to Pack for a Cruise to the Panama Canal

A cruise to the Panama Canal requires a similar packing list to other cruises to the tropics. For the most part, you will want to pack clothing for warm-weather activities. Remember to bring formal wear, if formal nights are part of the cruise. The trick is to not pack too many items, because the excess luggage will slow you down, wear you out, and clutter your stateroom.

Instructions

1 Take only two bags, if at all possible. This will limit the number of items you will have to deal with in your stateroom. Also, it's easier to carry just two bag when you need to carry them (such as at the airport), and it's less expensive to fly with one checked bag and one carry-on item.

2 Pack 1 1/2 outfits per day of anticipated cruising, which is a good guideline for most cruises. Include one nice outfit in that total whether you're a man or a woman, for those shipboard occasions when a little dressing up is called for.

3 Pack for the weather. Panama is a tropical destination, hot during the day most of the year, and warm in the evenings. Bring mostly light-colored cotton clothing, mainly short-sleeved shirts and short pants, for better comfort. Also bring a sweater or some kind of wrap, since there might be air-chilled indoor environments on the ship.

4 Pack a hat and sunscreen to ward off the tropical sun during your Panama Canal cruise. Also bring a sturdy pair of walking shoes and two swimsuits--one for wearing while the other is drying out.

5 Bring any medicines and copies of prescriptions. Pack personal hygiene products, to avoid having to pay shipboard prices for them. Since Panama is a foreign destination, take a small neck bag for your passport, a reserve of cash, and other important documents.