Travel Guides of Colón | Afro-Caribbean Culture full of History

The mere mention of Colón sends shivers down the spines of travelers and Panamanians, but there is more to the province than its notorious capital. Colón Province has a rich history and some of the Panama's Canal's most impressive features. During the colonial era, gold and silver bound for Spain were stored at the towns of Nombre de Dios and Portobelo. Once the world's wealthiest cities, they attracted scores of pirates. Spend your time wandering the historic ruins of Portobelo, snorkeling on Isla Grande, admiring the engineering of Gatún Locks, and getting into the swing at the Black Christ Festival. Coverage includes: around Colón, Sierra Llorona Panama Lodge, Fuerte San Lorenzo and Area Protegida San Lorenzo, Portobelo and around, Isla Grande, Nombre de Dios.

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The strip of Caribbean coastline that stretches from the mouth of the Río Chagres east toward the border of the Comarca de Kuna Yala is rich in history and even richer in natural beauty. Evidence of the former include the well-preserved ruins of Spanish forts, built to protect looted Inca treasure, as well as some of the most awe-inspiring structures of the Panama Canal. The area's natural attractions can be found among the mangroves, coral reefs, beaches, and forests that still abound with wildlife. Scuba diving and snorkeling are popular and easily accessible in the warm Caribbean waters, home to brilliant tropical fish and ancient shipwrecks that are still being discovered. All this is within a two-hour drive from Panama City.

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Spread across a square peninsula at the mouth of the northern canal gateway is Colón, capital of the larger Colón Province that runs along Panama's Central Caribbean Coast. In spite of its status as the largest duty-free zone in the Americas with billions in annual sales, its profits do not trickle down to locals, and the city is rife with poverty and crime. But don't let Colón scare you from visiting some of Panama's most important historical attractions that lie within a 30-minute to 1-hour drive from the city, such as Portobelo and Fort San Lorenzo, as well as the impressive Gatún Locks and Gatún Dam. The translucent Caribbean Sea also beguiles visitors with outstanding diving and snorkeling opportunities, and the province is home to several oceanfront hotels and resorts.

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