Colon Cruise Port Guide

The top attraction for any visitor is witnessing the massive ships pass through the Gatun Locks of the Panama Canal. The nearby Agua Clara Visitor Center offers fantastic viewing platforms and exhibits, located just a short 20-minute drive from the port.

For a scenic and historic journey, the Panama Canal Railway offers a spectacular one-hour trip alongside the canal to Panama City, retracing the original 19th-century route.

History enthusiasts should consider an excursion to the ruins of Portobelo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This colonial port town, about an hour's drive away, features well-preserved Spanish forts that once protected treasure fleets.

Another popular shore excursion is a visit to an Embera indigenous village, where you can learn about traditional culture deep within the Panamanian rainforest.

A popular day trip is to Panama City, located on the Pacific coast, approximately 50 miles (80 km) away. The journey takes about an hour by car or via the scenic Panama Canal Railway, giving you time to explore the historic Casco Viejo district and the famous Miraflores Locks.

The historic town of Portobelo, a former Spanish colonial stronghold, is about a 45-60 minute drive east of Colon. Here you can explore the ruins of 17th-century forts and learn about the age of pirates and galleons.

For nature lovers, a boat tour on Gatun Lake offers the chance to see diverse wildlife, including monkeys on the famous Monkey Island, sloths, and tropical birds, all within a short distance of the port.

Cruise ships in Colon typically dock at one of two main terminals: the Colón 2000 Cruise Terminal or the Cristobal Pier. Tendering is not required.

The Colón 2000 Cruise Terminal is a modern, self-contained complex located right at the edge of the city. It includes a hotel, a casino, and a shopping plaza with numerous stores, restaurants, and duty-free shops, making it very convenient for passengers.

Due to safety concerns in the city of Colon, passengers are strongly advised not to walk into the downtown area from the port. Transportation, such as organized tours or licensed taxis, is necessary to venture beyond the secure port facility.

The official currency of Panama is the Panamanian Balboa (PAB), but the U.S. Dollar (USD) is used for all paper money and is the de facto currency for all transactions. The Balboa exists only in coin form and is pegged 1-to-1 with the U.S. dollar; U.S. coins are also used interchangeably.

Cruise passengers with U.S. Dollars do not need to exchange any currency. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops within the tourist areas and port facilities. ATMs are also readily available and dispense U.S. Dollars.

While the port facilities like Colón 2000 Cruise Terminal are very secure, the city of Colon itself has a high crime rate. Independent exploration of the city on foot is strongly discouraged for tourists.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable visit, it is highly recommended to book shore excursions through your cruise line or a reputable tour operator. If you choose to explore independently, use a licensed tourist taxi arranged from within the secure port area and do not venture into unfamiliar neighborhoods. Always be aware of your surroundings and keep valuables out of sight.

Colon has a hot and humid tropical climate year-round, with temperatures typically ranging from 75°F to 90°F (24°C to 32°C). The main cruise season from January to April falls within Panama's drier season, which means less rain and more sunshine, though brief tropical showers can still occur.

The wet season lasts from May to December. If your cruise falls within this period, expect more frequent and heavier rainfall. Regardless of the season, you should pack lightweight, breathable clothing, a rain jacket or umbrella, sunscreen, a hat, and insect repellent.

The safest and most common way for cruise passengers to get around is through pre-booked shore excursions. These tours provide secure transportation to all major sights.

Licensed tourist taxis are available at the cruise terminal. It is essential to use these official taxis and to agree on the fare before starting your journey, as they are not metered. For a day of sightseeing, you can often hire a taxi or van for a fixed price.

Public buses are not recommended for tourists. The historic Panama Canal Railway provides a unique and scenic transportation option for a day trip to Panama City.

The most convenient and safest place for cruise passengers to shop is at the Colón 2000 Cruise Terminal complex. This modern plaza features a wide variety of duty-free shops, souvenir stores, and boutiques selling everything from liquor and electronics to local handicrafts.

Look for authentic Panamanian souvenirs such as 'molas,' intricate textile art made by the Guna indigenous people, woven Embera baskets, and high-quality Panamanian coffee. While Panama Hats are famously sold here, it's a fun fact that they originally come from Ecuador.

While Colon is home to the largest free-trade zone in the Americas, the Zona Libre is geared towards wholesale and can be difficult for tourists to navigate, making the terminal shops the preferred option.