Located on the East side of Miraflores Locks is the Miraflores Visitors Center, the perfect place to observe Canal operations. This newly inaugurated facility has large balconies, where tourists can see the opening and closing of the locks miter gates as ships begin or finish their voyage through one of the Canal's three sets of locks. Four exhibition halls, organized by themes, constitute the heart of the Miraflores Visitors Center. The exhibitions are dedicated to the history of the Canal, the importance of water as a source of life, the Canal's operation, and its crucial role in world trade. Historical objects of Canal operations, interactive modules, video presentations, and models of the Panama Canal are exhibited in the Center. Some of the exhibits replicate the feeling of being inside a navigation simulator or in one of the lock culverts. Nature lovers will enjoy watching displays of the different species of flora and fauna that inhabit the Canal's watershed, and learning about the role of water in Canal operations and its preservation.
