Bridge of the Americas, Panama

Intro.

The Bridge of the Americas (Puente de las Américas) is Panama City’s most iconic crossing—where the Pan-American Highway leaps over the Pacific entrance to the Canal. This guide covers what the bridge is, where to see it, the best light for photos, how to cross it, how it compares to the Centennial Bridge, and common mistakes visitors make.

Quick facts

Where: Balboa / Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, west of Amador Causeway.

Opened: 1962. Type: steel arch highway bridge.

Function: connects Panama City with Panama Oeste and the rest of the Inter-American Highway.

Pedestrians: no regular public walkway (details below).

Best viewing areas: Amador Causeway (Naos–Perico–Flamenco), BioMuseo waterfront, Ancon Hill overlooks, Balboa Yacht Club pier area.

History in brief

Pre-1962: The Canal cut separated Panama City from the west. Crossing relied on a swing bridge at Miraflores Locks and ferries at Balboa.

1959–1962: The U.S. built a permanent highway bridge at the canal’s Pacific mouth to carry the Inter-American Highway.

1962: Inauguration as “Thatcher Ferry Bridge;” later renamed Bridge of the Americas.

2004–present: The newer Centennial Bridge upstream added capacity and redundancy, easing heavy traffic on the Bridge of the Americas while the Canal expanded.

Why it matters: this was the first permanent highway connection over the Canal on the Pacific side, stitching together trade, commuting, and tourism across the isthmus.

Why the bridge is strategically important

Pan-American spine: crucial link in the Inter-American Highway for freight and passenger traffic between the capital and the interior.

Canal gateway symbol: ships entering/exiting the Canal sail beneath the arch—making it a global visual shorthand for Panama.

Redundancy with Centennial: two high bridges prevent isolating the capital when maintenance or incidents occur.

Best viewpoints (with simple map cues)

You don’t need to step on the bridge to enjoy the views. These spots are easy, safe, and photogenic.

Amador Causeway waterfront (Naos → Perico → Flamenco)

What you’ll see: sweeping profile of the bridge with ships lining up to enter the Canal; skyline behind you.

How to get there: ride-share or taxi to any Causeway island parking. Walk the waterfront path.

Pin cues:

• Naos Marina Promenade — great morning light
• Perico Island boardwalk — balanced profile
• Flamenco Marina — long telephoto shots at sunset

BioMuseo seaside promenade

Low-angle, close view with landscaped paths ideal for tripods. Combine with museum visit.

Ancon Hill (Cerro Ancón) lookouts

Elevated vistas over the Canal entrance, bridge, Amador and the city.
Go early; morning air is clearest.

Balboa Yacht Club / Playita de Amador

Long-lens action shots of vessels passing under the arch; cranes and shipping context.

Photography note: The Canal Zone is sensitive infrastructure. Drones require explicit authorization.

Engineering & key stats (at a glance)

Steel through-arch highway bridge (1962).
Total length: 1,654 m (5,425 ft)
Main span: 344 m (1,128 ft)
Clearance: ≈61.3 m (201 ft) at high tide
Highest point: ≈117 m above sea level
Cost: ≈US$20 million

Name history (Thatcher Ferry → Bridge of the Americas)

Opened October 12, 1962 as the Thatcher Ferry Bridge, named after the ferry previously linking the banks. Name evolved to Bridge of the Americas due to continental symbolism; later adopted officially.

Ship clearance, Canal traffic & why it matters

All Pacific-side Canal traffic passes under this arch. The ≈61 m clearance limits very tall ships.
Centennial Bridge upstream offers higher clearance + redundancy.

Safety note & notable incident

May 18, 2010: bulk carrier Atlantic Hero struck a protective pier after losing power. No fatalities; bridge undamaged.

Can you walk across it?

No regular pedestrian walkway. Shoulders are unsafe.
Enjoy the bridge from Amador, BioMuseo, Ancon Hill, or Balboa/Playita.

Best tours & easy ways to include it in a day plan

City/canal tours often include timed photo stops of the bridge, Miraflores, and Casco Viejo.
Choose tours that coordinate sunrise/sunset for ideal arch lighting.

Architecture vs. Centennial Bridge (quick compare)

Design: Americas = steel arch; Centennial = cable-stayed
Opened: 1962 vs 2004
Photography: Americas has many walk-up viewpoints; Centennial has fewer
Driving: both free; choose based on live traffic + destination

Pro photo tips tied to viewpoints

• Amador Causeway: sunrise front-light; sunset silhouettes
• BioMuseo: stable tripod platform
• Ancon Hill: crisp morning air for telephoto shots

Visiting logistics: by car, bus, and ride-share

By car: Toll-free. Expect rush-hour jams inbound mornings, outbound evenings, and Sunday nights.

Ride-share/taxi: Best for viewpoints. Ask for Amador Causeway or BioMuseo. For Ancon Hill: Mi Pueblito / Cerro Ancón entrance.

Public transport: Buses from Albrook run to Amador and Balboa/Ancon.

Can you walk across the bridge?

No routine pedestrian access. Shoulders unsafe. Rare charity events may open a lane briefly.

Light planner: sunrise, sunset & photo settings

Sunrise: ~6:10–6:30 a.m. warm light from Amador/BioMuseo
Morning: best clarity for ship shots (8–10 a.m.)
Sunset: ~5:50–6:30 p.m. silhouettes from Perico/Flamenco
Night: long exposures on Amador

Lenses: 24–70 mm for context, 70–200 mm for ship-under-arch frames

Bridge of the Americas vs Centennial Bridge (differences)

Location & look

Americas: Pacific mouth, Balboa/Amador; steel arch
Centennial: 10 km upstream; cable-stayed, tall pylons

Opened

1962 vs 2004

Best photos

Americas: Amador/BioMuseo, Ancon Hill
Centennial: Miraflores/Corozal (fewer promenades)

Which to drive?

West Panama → either
Clayton/Miraflores → Centennial often faster off-peak

Common mistakes to avoid

• Confusing with U.S.–Mexico “Bridge of the Americas”
• Assuming pedestrian access
• Ignoring traffic patterns
• Flying drones without authorization

Nearby things to combine in one outing

• Amador Causeway bike path and marinas
• BioMuseo
• Ancon Hill sunrise hike
• Casco Viejo dinner
• Canal visitor centers

FAQ

Is the Bridge of the Americas the same as the Amador Causeway?

No. The bridge is the highway span; the Causeway links four small islands.

How long does it take to drive over it?

5–10 minutes in free flow; 20–40+ in rush hour.

Best time for photos?

Sunrise from Amador/BioMuseo; sunset from Perico/Flamenco.

Can I see ships passing?

Yes—watch from Amador or Balboa Yacht Club.

Is there a toll?

No, it is toll-free.

Summary: For the best experience, enjoy the viewpoints, plan around golden hours, and use the Centennial Bridge as a traffic backup.

Sources & Foot Notes

[1] Wikipedia
[2] Tripadvisor