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Situated in the lovely old town, this museum is interesting. Sadly much of it was only in Spanish. Still worth a visit.
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Date of experience: February 2020
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The building itself is of historical significance but unfortunately the Museo could be improved. We don't speak or read Spanish so it wasn't very accommodating for us. While the exhibits, artifacts, documents and photos of the history of the Canal are very interesting, only the main floor has some translations in English. The second floor descriptors are all in Spanish. …
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Date of experience: March 2020
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This surprisingly detailed exhibition covers not just the construction of the canal itself but also the historical, social and to some extent scientific context of the project. Most of the displays are labelled solely in Spanish, but there are English summaries dotted around; albeit less so on the upper floor than the one below it. Still, there's plenty to absorb either way, and we spent an enjoyable and enlightening hour-and-a-half here. It's also a good introduction to a trip out to the Miraflores locks, and cheaper than the Visitors Centre there, too. A personal highlight of the exhibition for me was a 17th-century book with the snappy title "Bucaniers of America: Or, a True Account of the Most Remarkable Assaults Committed of late Years upon the Coasts of The West Indies, By the Bucaniers of Jamaica and Tortuga, Both English and French. Wherein are contained more especially, The unparallel'd Exploits of Sir Henry Morgan, our English Jamaican Hero, who Sack'd Puerto Velo, burnt Panama, &c." :D…
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Date of experience: February 2020
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The Panama Canal is what made Panama, and one of the main reasons that people visit the country is to see it and maybe transit it, so it's a good idea to come to this museum to find out more about it. The museum is in an historic building, created as a hotel, then used as offices of the French company that attempted to build a canal in the 19th century, so an exhibit itself. The museum is well laid out and details the history of the route across the Panama Isthmus from early times, the schemes to build a canal as well as the actual construction and the modernisation of the canal. Most of the exhibits have full explanations in Spanish with summaries in English which give the general sense, but even a little knowledge of Spanish is useful here. This was the one place in Panama that offered a Seniors discount without being asked. Other places like Panama Viejo don't.…
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Date of experience: February 2020
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Aboiut a 2 hour visit, located in the heart of the old city, Casco Viejo, so there's lots more to see and do. Definitely a prerequisite to get full value and enjoyment from a canal transit tour, which we did the next day. Also presents the Panamanian viewpoint on their struggle for sovereignty over the canal zone.…
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Date of experience: February 2020
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