Portobelo Bay caught the attention of Christopher Columbus for its natural environment and its unique beauty, and was one of the most important places for the transfer of gold and silver, due to its magnificent harbour and topographical conditions, being the reason why in 1586 the Spanish Crown chose it as the center of the Caribbean ...

Description and main attractions  

The gold, mainly from Peru, was transported by mule through the Camino de Cruces, Panama, continuing along the Chagres River by small boats, up to Portobelo, where it was shipped to Spain.

Portobelo became a flourishing city mainly because of its famous fairs, held on the arrival of the Spanish galleons, where Iberian merchandise was exchanged for Peruvian precious metals.

This growth attracted attacks from pirates, reason why the town was fortified with several castles, among them San Felipe, or Todo Fierro, Santiago de la Gloria, or of El Principe, San Jeronimo and San Cristobal.

One of the traditions of Portobelo not to miss is the dance of the “Congos", which responds to a demonstration of the slaves brought from Africa in the colonial era.

Location:

Portobelo is located on the north coast of the Isthmus of Panama, about 50 miles northeast of Colon (city). It is an intermediate point between the Panama Canal and San Blas Archipelago.

Getting There:

From Panama City by car via the Trans-Isthmian Highway (about one hour and thirty minutes). Can also be accessed by air from Panama City (Marcos A. Gelabert Airport) to the City of Colon (France Field Airport) the flight takes about 20 minutes but then you have to continue by car about 40 minutes.