Trip Planner: Central America / Panama / Colon Province / Colon / Portobelo National Park

Portobelo National Park, Colon

3.8

#3 of 6 in Historic Sites in Colon

Beach terrain and tropical climate combine with historical significance at Portobelo National Park, an important colonial port settlement discovered by Christopher Columbus in the early 16th century. Well-situated for transportation links with Europe, the port was host to a colorful cast of prosperous colonial frontiersmen; watch for the burial place of English explorer Sir Francis Drake. The name literally translates from Spanish to English as “the beautiful port.” A number of ancient ruins and historical churches are also located at the old port city. It couldn't be easier to arrange your visit to Portobelo National Park and many more Colon attractions: make an itinerary online using Inspirock's Colon travel planner.

Improve this listing »

Create an itinerary including Portobelo National Park

Portobelo National Park Tours

Isla Grande Tour from Panamá City BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $200

1 review

Duration: 9 hours

Buy tours from $200

Day Trip to Portobelo Ruins and Beach BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $118

2 reviews

Duration: 6 hours 30 minutes

Buy tours from $118

Portobelo National Park Reviews

Rate this attraction

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

175 reviews

Google

4.5

By Stiegjl On May 10, 2018

we had gone to park via cruise ship excursion. it was a long drive, saw lots of poverty, then beautiful scenery. the is not much at the fort then you saw a little movie and then the beautiful church. ... more »
By Michael R On May 9, 2018

In Portobelo war ich erstmals vor ca. 35 Jahren, danach des Öfteren, in den letzten zehn Jahren dann nicht mehr und jetzt erneut. Es hat sich gewandelt, und zwar deutlich zum Positiven. Denn früher wa... more »

In Portobelo I was for the first time about 35 years ago, then frequently, in the last ten years no longer and now again. It has changed, and much to the positive. Because it was a bad quiet dead end village without cosy pub or restaurant to chill out. Today there is, however, quite, but luckily not in excess. By the time some mordbid rundown impression in arg peripheral location and appropriate mood is so (what not be beneficial) and a few, but nice restaurants lost a lot, since the one or the other yacht here lost are to be found. The town offers interesting fortifications from the Conquista period, as the Spanish gold and silver from Peru sailed Panama on the Pacific side, where the painful and agonising land led to Portobelo. There, the Spanish galleys to the takeover or that Sir Francis Drake stopped and sank the fleet, after he himself had used the valuables were waiting then. No wonder that so many bastions around the Bay of Portobelo are distributed. You can there casually walking around and see everything without being asked, what is amazing, but encouraging for Latin America. And you should take a closer look on the stones of the old buildings - sometimes you can find walls that have beautifully structured coral prints (IN the village). Finally also the numerous wrecks of motor yachts, lying around in the Bay are quite interesting - there any hurricane raged guess pretty. Overall a very worthwhile day trip from the Terminal de buses in Panamá City (direction Colón, then out - and get in Sabanitas, a few kilometers before the Colón).

View original
By mike w On April 18, 2018

Took this trip from Colon. About an hour+ drive. Not much to see along the way and spent about 45 minutes total at the sights: fort ruins, church of black Christ and custom (governors) house museum. M... more »

View more on TripAdvisor »

Google

By Frits Heida On March 14, 2018

Panama's Nature Reserve established to protect the Sea and Land flora and fauna both. The Caribbean Sea has great Coral reef's and An Abondance of love for divers a d snorkeling.

more less
By Grisel Walsh On April 14, 2018

Nice festival!!

more less
By Etienne Metenier On December 3, 2017

Beautiful historical place, beautiful road too.

more less
By Leonardo Blake On December 16, 2017

Beautiful place!

more less
By Sébastien Bovard On May 5, 2017

Had a quick stop there to visit the remainings of the fort. The city itself isn't clean as many unfortunatelly are. Good place to stay if you want to go diving.

more less

View more on Google »

Places to stay near Portobelo National Park

Plan your trip to Colon

Get a personalized plan

A complete day-by-day itinerary
based on your preferences
Customize it

Refine your plan. We'll find the
best routes and schedules
Book it

Choose from the best hotels
and activities. Up to 50% off
Manage it

Everything in one place.
Everyone on the same page.