Virgin Voyages' guide to Colón, Panama

Serving as the picturesque gateway to the Panama Canal, the historic Caribbean port city of Colón offers charming colonial architecture, culture ladened adventures, vibrant markets, eclectic history & easy access to the verdant nearby rainforests.

COLÓN

Culture, Canals & Rainforest Canopies

Located on the Caribbean edge of the palatial Panama Canal, Colón is the perfect place to sit back, relax and watch the world go by – literally. The heart of global trade, this bustling hub is a gateway to explorers, interested shoppers and canal-curious wanderlust seekers alike.

Spend time perusing the iconic Colón Free Trade Zone, the second-largest in the world, where you’ll find full warehouses brimming with jewelry, fashion, electronics and every other duty-free item you could think of. Head to Fort San Lorenzo, a UNESCO World Heritage site perched high above the Chagres River that once served as a hub for Spanish soldiers and peeled-eyed Pirates looking for a place to hide. Explore the nearby sleepy town of Portobelo, where the pastel facades and colonial ruins look like they were plucked directly from a postcard. Here you’ll find an eclectic history, the striking Black Christ statue, crumbling fortifications with stories of lore and a cultural heartbeat that can be felt through its various Afro-Panamanian traditions and Congo dances. Wildlife lovers will rejoice as they explore the nearby rainforests to spot everything from lazy sloths draped over tree branches, howler monkeys screaming as they jump from limb to limb and birds so colorful they don’t even seem real.

Between its verdant green canopies, its industrial importance and its collectives of culture, Colón is unlike anywhere else in the Caribbean, or even the world.

Shore Excursions

Panamanian Pastimes

Conquistadors, Coffee & Tropical Canopies.

A Taste of Panamanian Culture

The Pacific Americas' first European city, established in 1519, Old Panama is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the ancient ruins where conquistadors like Francisco Pizarro once walked, then feast on authentic Panamanian flavors at "La Fonda." You'll be treated to a lively folkloric show while you enjoy a meal at this down-to-earth local spot with flawless reviews (for both the cuisine and the atmosphere).

Fort San Lorenzo & Panama Canal Locks

Step into Panama's pirate past at this UNESCO World Heritage site surrounded by green tropical forest and views of both the river and the Caribbean Sea. After your tour of the fort, you'll head to Agua Clara Locks Lookout to witness the modern marvel of the Panama Canal's busiest locks in action.

Rum & Coffee Experience

You'll explore Panama's colonial treasures on a guided walk through the historic Old City, coming across cathedral spires, charming plazas, and centuries-old stories as you go. Next, dive into Panama's artisan culture with a tasting of handcrafted rum at Pedro Mandinga's world-famous distillery. End the day at a local coffee spot to learn about their cupping and brewing processes — while savoring some of the planet's finest coffee beans, all grown nearby.

More Shore Things for your wishlist...

We have even more in our curated catalog.

Colón

Aerial Tram Through Soberanía National Park

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Discover the secrets of a 55,000-acre forest

Colón

Behind the Scenes of the Panama Canal

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See the inner workings of a historic waterway

Colón

Panama Canal Railway Tour (Dome Car)

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Travel Panama in old-school luxury — with a view

Colón

Colonial Panama: On Your Own

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Explore a historic neighborhood in its renaissance

Browse all Shore Things

Colón’s entire cruise zone is built on reclaimed land!

The coastline was extended in the early 1900s to increase maritime tourism.

Boat Ride on Lake Gatun & the Panama Canal

Shore Excursions

Nature in Motion: Panama Canal Adventure

Not for the faint of heart, your tour starts with a 30-minute ride at high speed right through the heart of the Panama Canal.

DISCOVER MORE SHORE THINGS

Unlike any of the bustling ports Colón measures up to in sheer volume, this Caribbean paradisiacal port pairs cargo cranes with turquoise seas, echoes of pirates with black sand beaches, crumbling colonial ruins with lush landscapes and eclectic culture with sleeping sloths. Whether you spend your time here pursuing the endless labyrinths of corridors of the Free Trade Zone, watching megaships roll into the Gatun Locks, kayaking on Gatun Lake (which was man made, by the way), exploring the breathtaking rainforests that are only a stone’s throw from the pier or simply grabbing a cocktail and taking in the sights and sounds, a day in Colón will leave you with stories to tell for a lifetime.