Top Things to do in Colon
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Top 10 Things to do in Colon, Panama
About 50 miles northwest of Panama City, Colón is home to the northern gateway of the Panama Canal as well as Afro-Caribbean descendants of those workers who helped build the canal in the early 20th century. Colón’s greatest claim to fame—and the main reason visitors come here—is the Colón Free Zone, a massive shopping showroom where wholesalers, retailers and the general public shop. You’ll also find Colón 2000, a cruise-ship port with restaurants, a supermarket, and shops selling duty-free merchandise. The most scenic way to travel here is by way of the restored Panama Canal Railway, featuring elegant, wood-paneled and carpeted rail cars (based on 19th century designs) that takes you on a hour-long journey through the rainforest to Colón.
Restaurants in Colon
1. Gatun Locks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 661 reviews
Reviewed By John D - Plymouth, United Kingdom
We visited Gatun locks, the old ones, three years ago prior to transiting the Canal in our boat. Here we are back again three years later. The new locks are pretty amazing, huge. The feat of engineering for the original locks is impressive, but the new locks with their water reclamation is super impressive.
2. Indigenes Embera
Overall Ratings
4 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By RandyRoss - Ridgetown
We toured the Embera jndigenous village in Panama as part of our our Collette Vacations tour of Panama. We began by boarding dugout canoes for a short trip across the lake to the village. Once there we were entertained by the villagers, given information about them and their lifestyle and fed a lovely lunch. We also had the opportunity to tour the village and purchase their hand-made handicrafts (wood and tagua nut carvings, jewelry, woven baskets, etc.).
3. Fort San Lorenzo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 273 reviews
King Phillip II ordered the fortress to be built in 1595, which is located on the Chagres River commanding a view of the mouth of the river and miles out to sea.
Reviewed By Canadian_Hoser - Saint John, Canada
We absolutely loved this visit. It's not a grand fort but it's steep in history! We went there as part of a joint tour of the locks. Fabulous day! Saw many monkeys and sloths along the way that we could stop and photograph. Beautiful views of the sea from the fort!
4. Safaricks Zoologico
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Safarick's Rescue and Rehabilitation Center gives visitors of all ages the chance to learn about Panama's wildlife. Safaricks works closely with Mi Ambiente by receiving confiscated wildlife, curing, rehabilitating and releasing, and giving a permanent home to wild animals that are not candidates for release. Among the animals currently residing at the center are an ocelot, deer, capybaras, Tamarin and squirrel monkeys, capuchin and spider monkeys, coatis, toucans, parrots and macaws, amphibians, and reptiles. Visitors arriving at Safaricks are guided by experienced tour guides through the enclosures, the walk-through aviary and the walk-through butterfly botanical garden.The tour is roughly one hour and 30 minutes. For visitors that wish to end their day on a caribbean beach, we offer packages that include rescue center and beach.
Reviewed By Kim C - Panama City, Panama
I took my 8th grade class to this wonderful rescue zoo. We had the most amazing hands on experience. My students were able to prepare food for the animals and then feed them. The center itself is clean and well maintained. The staff is amazing. They are well informed and kept my students engaged during the day. This was a truly wonderful experience.
5. Panama Canal Railway
Overall Ratings
4 based on 190 reviews
Reviewed By Gran7 - Crossett
We bussed from the canal to the City. Return was on the Panama Railway. What an awesome adventure. Plenty of space with comfortable seats. The staff was there to see to our every needs. The scenery is awesome. A smooth ride back to our cruise ship.
6. Centro de Observacion de la Ampliacion
Overall Ratings
4 based on 18 reviews
El nuevo Centro de Observación de la Ampliación en Colón es un concepto tipo parque, basado en terrazas y plataformas abiertas, techadas y escalonadas, en un área de cuatro hectáreas que facilitan la visión, sin obstrucción, a 400 visitantes de forma simultánea en un entorno de exuberante belleza rodeado por la naturaleza tropical, de los trabajos de construcción de las nuevas esclusas del Canal de Panamá en el Atlántico. Al mismo tiempo, desde su privilegiada ubicación, los visitantes observan el majestuoso lago Gatún, por donde los barcos siguen su tránsito por la vía interoceánica.
Reviewed By El_Chiners - Panama City, Panama
I went to the Panama Canal Expansion Observation Center with my family and a friend from France, and while the visit itself was nice, I think it wasn't as interesting as visiting the current, working locks in either Miraflores or Gatun. It's quite small, you don't get to see the marvelous operation of the locks, or the ships transiting through them. It's still interesting to learn about the whole expansion project and how it's supposed to benefit global commerce and the country of Panama. Helpful staff make bilingual announcements with interesting tidbits about the expansion project continuously.
If you're going to the Atlantic coast, either to see the Gatun locks, Portobelo, or San Lorenzo Fort, then a detour to this observation center isn't a bad idea. If you're considering making the trip just to see this, then I recommend to reconsider the thought. It's easily combinable with the other attractions I mentioned, but I'd rather spend time at San Lorenzo and the Gatun locks if I was short on time than do the locks and the expansion observation center, for example.
7. Agua Clara Locks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By Codiak! - British Columbia, Canada
This is a great visitor centre where you can watch the ships in the locks while listening to descriptions from a narrator over the PA system. There is an informative film showing ( in different languages) which describes the impressive history of the canal.
8. Portobelo National Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 171 reviews
Picturesque bayside village features the ruins of five Spanish forts, a restored treasure house and the burial place of Sir Francis Drake.
Reviewed By bandit153 - St. Pete Beach, Florida
I love history but the ruins aren't labelled and unless you do your research, you might not know what you are looking at. Most places and countries will label the ruins in the park so you know what happened and what you are looking at. I didn't know until I came home and looked it up on the computer. If was interesting but not worth the trip.
9. Isla Grande
Overall Ratings
4 based on 222 reviews
Reviewed By Kimtsy S
This was probably my favorite part of my entire trip to Panama. We drove from Panama City to Isla Grande and it probably took about 2 hours. When we got there we paid a lady $5 US dollars to park and we paid $5 USD per person to be taken to the island. It was about a 5 minute boat ride across to the island but it was so amazing. We pulled up to a very quiet spot and there was a gentlemen that welcomed us and let us know that they had chairs,tables, and food for rent and sale. The water was so clear and blue, it was magnificent. We told the guy on the boat to pick us up around 5pm and he showed up around that time. When we got back to the other side we had to use the restroom and paid 25 cents to use someone's bathroom. I would love to come back to this beach it's amazing
10. Observation Centre Canal Expansion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By sncathome - Virginia
A good short movie, excellent information, great views. An informative and enjoyable less crowded way to learn about the canal. You won't be disappointed.
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