Colon Panama

Colón, a city on Panama's Caribbean coast, serves as the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal. While the city itself is a bustling commercial hub, the surrounding province is renowned for its incredible historical sites, natural beauty, and opportunities to see the workings of the canal up close. The province's history is deeply intertwined with its name, a tribute to Christopher Columbus. A prime example of its colonial past is Fort San Lorenzo, a well-preserved military structure located just west of the city at the mouth of the Chagres River. As one of the most important ports in the Caribbean, this fort is a key part of Panama's rich heritage.

Things to do in Colon Panama

Agua Clara Locks Visitor Center
This is the best place to witness the expanded Panama Canal in action. The visitor center offers a great panoramic view of the new and larger locks, where you can watch massive container ships pass through. You can also visit the museum that explains the history and significance of the canal.

Gatun Locks
Visit the original Gatun Locks to see how ships navigated the canal prior to its expansion. A marvel of engineering, the Gatun Locks are an essential part of the Panama Canal, enabling the passage of ships of various sizes.

Panama Canal Railway
Go on a scenic and historic journey. The Panama Canal Railway is a luxury train that travels between Colón and Panama City, offering stunning views of the lush rainforest and Gatun Lake.

Portobelo National Park
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Portobelo was a major Spanish trading port during the colonial era. You will get to explore the ruins of the impressive forts. Portobelo is also home to the famous Church of the Black Christ that holds one of Panama's most revered religious icons, a life-sized wooden statue known as the Cristo Negro or "Black Christ." The statue is the centerpiece of a major religious festival every October 21, drawing thousands of pilgrims.

Fort San Lorenzo
Another UNESCO World Heritage site, this fortress located at the mouth of the Chagres River offers incredible views of the Caribbean Sea and is a key part of Panama's colonial defense history.

The Chagres National Park
This conservation area hosts a bird sanctuary of more than 560 species and provides home to threatened mammals species such as jaguars, anteaters and mantled howler monkeys. This park covers the main hydrographic region of the country, producing more than 40% of the water needed to fill the canal, and it supplies all the drinking water for Panama City and Colon. You can also visit an Emberá community. This is a unique opportunity to learn about their traditions, music, dances, and crafts.

Gatun Lake
Gatun Lake is an artificial lake that was created during the construction of the Panama Canal. A boat tour will take you around the lake to spot a wide variety of wildlife like sloths, toucans, and even crocodiles, all while seeing the huge ships pass by.

Colon Free Zone Shopping
As one of the world's largest duty-free ports, this massive commercial area is a major destination for shopping, offering a wide range of goods at reduced prices.