Colon (Panama)

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.

On December 14, 2021, NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line announced that starts seasonally to homeport a ship in Panama City (for Panama Canal roundtrips) with Norwegian Jewel (starting on March 20, 2022).

• The homeporting was based on a multi-year contract (signed with the Panama Tourism Authority) allowing NCL to homeport a liner at two Panamese cruise terminals - Colon and Fuerte Amador (Panama City, on the Pacific Ocean).
• NCL Jewel's itineraries (starting from Panama City) visit Costa Rica (Puerto Limon), Aruba (Oranjestad), Curacao (Willemstad), Bonaire (Kralendijk), and Colombia (Cartagena), and end in Colon.

Port Colon (locode PAONX) is currently ranked the world's second-largest duty-free port (after Sanya China). The Port was established in 1850 and since 1948 is a "Free Trade Zone" (freeport). Colon Free Trade Zone occupies land area approx 2,4 km2 (~243 hectares/600 acres) and is divided in two areas - the old one is in Colon City and the new one is in the harbor (where are the warehouses.

Originally, Colon was entirely on Manzanillo Island and surrounded by Manzanillo Bay, Limon Bay, and Folks River. However, since the disestablishment of the Panama Canal Zone (aka Canal Zone/November 1903 thru October 1979), its limits have been redefined to include Fort Gulick (former US Army Base), as well three former Canal Zone towns (Coco Solo, Cristobal, Margarita).

A restoration and reconstruction project, which involves historic buildings, monuments, parks and avenues started in late 2014. The First Baptist Church of Colon, Panama, is among the buildings whose renovation was completed.

Colon cruise terminal

Colon tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

Panama's main tourist season runs between December and April. September, October, February and March usually are rainy months for Colon.

• Duty Free Zone: The main attraction of Colon is the Free Zone. The shopping complex comprises ~1600 stores (wholesale and retail).
• Festivals: Colon is famous with its festival in March, April and October. The most famous are the Festival of Diablos and Congos and the Festival of the Black Christ.
• Beaches: the most famous one is Playa La Angosta. If you don’t like crowds, avoid Sundays.
• Portobelo: an hour drive from Colon, visit the Customs House (UNESCO site).
• Isla Grande: an hour from the city., resort are with hotels, restaurants, shops and water activities.
• Barro Colorado Nature Preserve: national park in the Colon Province. It spreads over 5,364 hectares.
• Soberania National Park: rain forest.
• Portobelo National Park: visit coral reefs and mangrove forests. Meet the wildlife or see the fortifications (UNESCO sites).
• Embera Quera Village: to reach the village, you have to drive ~25 minutes and then ride a canoe for ~20 minutes. The native village offers amazing time and local goods as carvings and baskets.
• Fort San Lorenzo (Fuerte de San Lorenzo) is a ruins site located approx 13 km (8 mi) west of Colon, and overlooking Chagres River.