Portobelo

Introducing Portobelo

Although today it is little more than a sleepy fishing village on the shores of the Caribbean, Portobelo was once the greatest Spanish port in Central America. Gold from Peru and treasures from the Orient entered Panama City and were carried overland by mule to the fortresses at Portobelo. During the annual trade fair, galleons laden with goods from Spain arrived to trade for gold and other products from the New World. However, much like Nombre de Dio, Panamá and Fuerte San Lorenzo, Portobelo was the target of constant attacks at the hands of English privateers. Considering that the city was destroyed several times throughout its history, it’s remarkable that so much of the colonial fortresses still stand.

Today Portobelo is an economically depressed town, and the majority of its inhabitants make their living from either fishing, tending crops or raising livestock. Their homes are situated among the ruins of the colonial fortifications, half of which retain some of their original form, half of which are meager piles of cut stone and coral. However, the city bursts to life every October 21 for the Festival de Cristo Negro (Festival of the Black Christ), one of the country’s most vibrant and spiritual celebrations.

Portobelo also attracts dedicated Scuba divers, especially since there are no less than 16 major dive sites in the adjacent waters. Although visibility can’t compare to more traditional Caribbean diving destinations, few people leave here unhappy as there is an excellent variety of underwater attractions, including a 110-ft cargo ship and a C-45 twin-engine plane.

Last updated: Oct 20, 2009