Digging a canal from ocean to ocean is a wicked plan, but nevertheless it was accomplished in 1914. The 77 km canal save ships the long and dangerous route south of Cape Horn in the tip of South America. Original it was controlled by the Americans but in 1999 it was rightfully turned back to Panama. It is hard to grasp the grand scale of this construction just by standing at its shore, but seeing the amount of ships waiting for access gives an idea. It is one of the biggest man-made constructions ever and you don't have to be an engineer buff to be impressed. The best place to view the ships are at Miraflores, but if you don't wont to pay the entrance fee drive a few kilometres further north-east to the locks at Pedro Miguel where you following the action through the fence.