Activities in Colón Province
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Panama Railroad
One of the best ways to fully appreciate the extent of the canal is to travel from Panama City to Colón along the historic Panama Railroad. The rails fell into disrepair during the best-forgotten days of the Noriega regime, but in 1998 the Panama government partnered with Kansas City Southern, an American-based railway holding company, to create the Panama Canal Railway Company (PCRC).
The primary purpose of the joint venture was to re-establish the Atlantic-Pacific rail link and create a profitable alternative to the Panama Canal trade route. Starting in 2001, PCRC also introduced a passenger service that included a fully-operational vintage train.
Aimed at foreign trave…
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Twin Oceans Dive Center
Located inside the Coco Plum Eco Lodge, this professional outfit has over 20 years of diving experience in Panamanian waters. It's best to phone ahead or make a reservation via the internet.
It's not Belize or the Bay Islands, but if you're an avid scuba diver, you'll have a good time here. In addition to the famous sunken cargo ship and military plane, the waters around Portobelo are also home to soft coral-laden walls, off-shore reefs and rock gardens. The good news is that you'll probably see several pelagic animals including nurse sharks, black-tip reef sharks and eagle rays. The bad news is that you probably won't see them very well, especially if it has been rainin…
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Playa Blanca
A 20-minute boat ride from Portobelo will bring you to this lovely white-sand beach, which fronts a tranquil cove and is surrounded by dense wilderness. Since it is impossible to access the beach by car or bus, you'd be forgiven in thinking that Playa Blanca is an uninhabited island floating in the Caribbean. Any boat in Portobelo can bring you to the Playa Blanca, though it's possible to arrange for a pick-up if you make a reservation in advance.
Playa Blanca has some of the least disturbed reefs between Colón and the Archipiélago de San Blás and its sheltered waters have better visibility than in nearby Portobelo. There's a colorful reef in the center of the cove that's…
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SelvAventuras Hikes
On the main road into town, this adventure outfit is run by a group of charismatic locals eager to show visitors the wilder side of Portobelo. If you're looking to explore the surrounding Parque Nacional Portobelo, these guys can bring you to a number of impressive locales: Catarata de Rio Piedras, a towering 45m waterfall; Salto de Tigre, a tranquil waterfall-fed pond; and Río Iguanita, a rainforest-enshrouded swimming hole. You'll need some Spanish.
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V-Land Beach
Although it's one of Panama's least surfed provinces, there are a number of great breaks to be had in Colón. And of course, the lack of crowds means that you won't have to share your wave with anyone. This beach is near Devils Beach, in Sherman. Unbelievable right-point reef break with great tubes when big swell and glassy.
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Isla Mamei
Although it's one of Panama's least surfed provinces, there are a number of great breaks to be had in Colón. And of course, the lack of crowds means that you won't have to share your wave with anyone. This beach is next to Isla Grande, reached by boat or paddling from Isla Grande. Left-hand point break over shallow reef.
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Isla Grande
Although it's one of Panama's least surfed provinces, there are a number of great breaks to be had in Colón. And of course, the lack of crowds means that you won't have to share your wave with anyone. This beach is in front of La Guayra, best reached by water taxi. Reef bottom break with three peaks, rights and lefts.
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Turtles Beach
Although it's one of Panama's least surfed provinces, there are a number of great breaks to be had in Colón. And of course, the lack of crowds means that you won't have to share your wave with anyone. This beach is paddling distance from Playa Grande. Waves are great; unreal tubes, if it is glassy with a big swell.
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Playa Maria Chiquita
Although it's one of Panama's least surfed provinces, there are a number of great breaks to be had in Colón. And of course, the lack of crowds means that you won't have to share your wave with anyone. This beach is in front of Maria Chiquita. Beach break with lefts and rights, but limited to big swell.
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Playa Palenque/Cuango
Although it's one of Panama's least surfed provinces, there are a number of great breaks to be had in Colón. And of course, the lack of crowds means that you won't have to share your wave with anyone. This beach is in front of Cuango village. Beach break with rights and lefts. Surfers seldom seen here.
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Playa Grande Mainland
Although it's one of Panama's least surfed provinces, there are a number of great breaks to be had in Colón. And of course, the lack of crowds means that you won't have to share your wave with anyone. This beach is east of Isla Grande. Beach break with some reef. Waves break left and right.
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Jimmy's Caribbean Dive Resort
A dive operator located near the town of Nombre de Dios, east of Portobelo.
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