A visit to the Miraflores Locks, the first set of locks located on the Pacific side, is a revealing experience. It features a visitors’ center from which, aside from observing the process of elevating gigantic ships in water chambers, visitors may tour the halls of a museum that keeps the history of the Canal and of its functioning, with a number of samples of the machinery and tools utilized for its construction. It also features a number of biodiversity samples of the tropical jungle surrounding the Canal. This experience is complimented by a miniature model of this marvelous work of engineering, a exhibitions hall showing video samples and a restaurant at the terrace of the center from which visitors may observe the Canal operations meanwhile they enjoy an excellent meal.