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Guests will have time to explore the village independently and listen to locals talk about their lives, including how they use the medicinal plants they source from the jungle. Zona Libre is the largest duty-free shopping area in the world, and here you’ll find goods and wares of all types for every kind of shopper. Over 1,600 stores are located in Zona Libre, and this massive shopping center helped kickstart the economy of parts of Colón during a bitter recession. If you have a short stop on Colón cruise with little time to explore outside the city, get lost among the plentiful shopping options in Zona Libre.
More World Destinations
From there, visitors can explore the city's historic sites, take a tour of the Panama Canal, or go shopping in the nearby markets. Playa Blanca is a stunning white sand beach located just a short drive from Colon, Panama. Isla Grande Beach is a stunning beach located just a short boat ride from Colon, Panama.
Top Tours & Excursions In Colon – Panama
Here are some of the best Panama Canal excursions to book during your journey. Located within the Millenium Plaza shopping complex in Colón, San Angel Restaurant & Lounge offers everything from pasta and hamburguesa to fresh ceviche and salmon dishes. You’ll need a reservation at this romantic, intimate eatery in Casco Viejo. Once your Colón cruise is booked, call up the folks at Donde Jose to secure a seat, because this 16-seat restaurant consistently makes “best of” lists. Chef José Carles welcomes diners each night and serves an eight-course adventure for you, paying tribute to classic Panamanian cuisine with unexpected twists along the way.
Where is Colón Panama?
Start by visiting Playa La Angosta, a stunning beach 40-minute drive from the port. Colon cruise port is located at the end of the Panama Canal (Caribbean Sea). The city is Panama's second-largest (population around 80,000/metro around 220,000) - after the capital Panama City.

These guided tours will take you to must-see attractions such as Fort San Lorenzo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich history and impressive views. Colon cruise port is located in a commercial port on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal. It is from this port that you can visit the locks of Gatún lake or Miraflores and see the operations of the Panama Canal. Apart from the Panama Canal, the region does not offer many other points of interest except for the flora and fauna of the rainforest. While both offer their unique charm to visitors, you’ll find that most cruises dock at Colón 2000 or Pier 6, nestled in the southern reaches of Limon Bay. Each terminal maintains proficient services equipped with modern facilities for convenience and accessibility, such as cafeterias, duty-free shops, tourist information centers, and more.
Colón, Panama
These popular food and drink destinations offer varied culinary options that will delight your palate. While dining, remember to soak up the vibrant atmosphere and immerse yourself in the local culture. If sightseeing at attractions beyond the port’s vicinity intrigues you, consider hiring a tourist taxi for the day. This option enables easy exploration without worrying about navigation or time constraints.
There are also plenty of local shops and markets where you can find handmade crafts, traditional Panamanian food, and other unique items. Colon 2000 is the primary pier and has a good sized shopping center with shops, restaurants, hotels, casinos and a 24 hour supermarket with cheap liquor. On your cruise to Colón, Panama, the cruise terminal offers shops, restaurants, a 24-hour supermarket, and a casino to keep you busy while you’re at the Colón 2000 pier. Most excursions and tours will take off from the Colón 2000 pier. There’s also a pier called Cristobal, where you can typically find easy excursions to the Panama Canal.
The Cristobal wharf is located nearby and an artisan market is close to it. Discover why this vibrant city is a must-visit destination on your cruise. The weather is more favorable during this period, with fewer chances of tropical storms or inclement conditions.
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This comprehensive guide will equip you with essential information, from navigating around the port to must-do activities in sightseeing highlights. As was mentioned, Colon is primarily a base for day trips with little in the way of attractions for tourists. Again, it is not a city you will want to traverse on your own due to safety concerns. Colón is known for the above shore excursions, but it’s not known as a beach destination. Fort San Lorenzo, one of the oldest Spanish forts in America, lies about 45 minutes west of Colón. Built in 1597, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was designed to protect the mouth of Chagres River.
Whether basking in the sun or exploring the shoreline, Colón has something to offer every beach lover visiting this cruise port. For more adventure, head to Isla Grande, an island near Colon that offers even more picturesque beaches. This hidden gem is perfect for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts who want to explore vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. Explore the breathtaking natural beauty of Colon, Panama, with various exciting activities.
However, it’s important to note that November is still part of the rainy season and the end of hurricane season in Colon. The rainy season in Panama lasts from June through November, which is generally considered the worst time to visit due to heavy rains and potential disruptions. If you’re looking for activities, you can go swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, or paddleboarding along the coastline.
You can also grab some snorkeling equipment on board and take to the water. The tour concludes with lunch and drinks on the ride back to Panama City. During this two- to three-hour cultural tour, you'll learn about the Wounaan, one of the country's seven Indigenous groups. For centuries, the Wounaan people have lived in the Darien, a geographic region with a watershed, forest and mountains close to Colombia.

Head to the Portobelo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and find yourself surrounded by historic fortifications like the ruins of San Lorenzo Castle and Fort. Don't miss San Lorenzo Protected Forest, which houses many hiking trails and marine flora and fauna, like mangroves and sea turtles. Experience the Panama Canal in all its engineered glory as you witness ships being lifted in the Gatun locks to enter Gatun Lake. Ships then traverse through the lake and exit the canal on the Pacific Ocean side, going down again in the Miraflores locks.
Take an hour-long drive northeast of Colón to reach tiny Portobelo, where you’ll see unique ruins and historic sites from the Spanish colonial period. Take in Panama’s natural beauty with a trip to Portobelo National Park, complete with mangrove trees, lush rainforest, beaches, and plenty of activities like snorkeling, diving, and more. Cruise ships dock in Colon, Panama, at the Cristobal Pier and the Colon 2000 Cruise Terminal. The main terminal for cruise ships is the Colon 2000 Cruise Terminal, which offers a duty-free shopping complex with various shops and restaurants. To make your visit memorable, join one of the shore excursions available at Colon’s cruise port terminal.
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