Things to see and do in Portobelo?

Portobelo is one of the most famous municipalities in the region of Colon for its historical and cultural legacy that is reflected in the ruins of some buildings from the colonial era. Its walls tell stories of conquistadors and pirates that are sure to fascinate you. If you are preparing a trip to Panama, you can’t miss this fishing village that used to be the largest commercial port in the region along with the city of Colon. Get your notebook ready and we’ll tell you all about what to see in Portobelo.

The most characteristic things to see in the city are the ruins of four forts built in the 17th century, but there are also other characteristic buildings such as the Royal Customs House and the Church of the Black Christ. The city can be seen in a morning, so we encourage you to read about the points of interest in the surrounding area. In this post we tell you what to see on your trip to Portobelo and its surroundings. We also advise you on accommodation, restaurants and travel tips to make the most of your time.

What are the best places to see in Portobelo?

1. Real Aduana, the building to see in Portobelo

The Royal Customs House is the most important building in the city. It dates from the 17th century and formerly served as a warehouse, a depository for royal coffers and a tax office, as well as the governor’s residence. The two-storey house is built in Renaissance style and its façade is the most majestic in the city, although it has had to undergo restoration processes over the years.

Today it serves as an archaeological museum and exhibition space for models of the forts and other objects from the colonial era that help us understand the history of the city.

2. The streets of Portobelo

Although most of the city is rather neglected and dirty, there are several charming streets in the centre where, in addition to the buildings mentioned above, you’ll see a collection of street art. There are several colourful murals that we encourage you to look for on your route through the city.

Another must-see in Portobelo is the main square, a meeting place for women and children. It’s always crowded and don’t be surprised if you’re approached by a friendly local to strike up a conversation.

3. Church of the Black Christ of Portobelo

Portobelo is one of only two churches in the country to have a Black Christ. It usually stands to one side of the altar, but during the annual celebrations of the Black Christ festival, the life-size figure is placed in the centre so that everyone can get a good look at it.

The church chapel is decorated with gilded scenes from the Crucifixion and can be visited every day of the week. Admission is free.

4. Forts to see in Portobelo

There are four forts in Portobelo dating back to the 16th century and were built by the King of Spain to protect the trading town. Today, only the ruins remain, a reminder of Portobelo’s former grandeur before it was destroyed by pirates. These are the forts to see in Portobelo. Admission is free to all of them.

• Santiago Fort: is the point with the best views of the bay and still preserves cannons from the period.
• Jeronimo Fort: This fort is located in the interior of the city and is a regular meeting point and playground for children and adults.
• Fort Fernando and Fernandino: These two forts are located on the hill surrounding Portobelo.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Portobelo?

1. The Islands of San Blas

The San Blas Islands are one of the most incredible places in the whole country. They are part of the 365-island archipelago that makes up the Caribbean and are inhabited and managed by the indigenous Guna community. The islands are characterised by paradisiacal beaches of white sand, crystalline waters and tall palm trees. They are the typical postcard or wallpaper landscapes we’ve dreamed of a thousand times.

To get there from Portobelo, you’ll need to take private transport to the port of Capri and then catch a boat. Another option is to book a pre-arranged tour that includes all transport. Whichever option you choose, bear in mind that you’ll have to get up early. Read more about San Blas in this post: Things to see on a trip to the San Blas Archipelago Panamá?

2. Mamey Island

Mamey Island is a small islet of white sandy beaches and warm, crystal-clear waters where tourists often go snorkelling or scuba diving. Unlike Isla Grande or the San Blas Islands, this island is much less crowded, which is why it’s considered the little jewel of the Caribbean. Another plus is that it can be reached by boat from Portobelo. It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the Caribbean climate after visiting the city. You’re sure to love it.

What to see in 1 day in Portobelo?

Portobelo is a city you can visit in half a day. Most points of interest are freely accessible and within walking distance. That’s why it’s often included on routes as a stopover. Even so, if you decide to spend the night, you won’t regret it because of the city’s Caribbean atmosphere.

If you’re travelling with a private car, it’s a great place to stay from where you can make excursions throughout the Colon region. However, if you rely on public transport the communications are more complex as you have to go to Colon first. Here is this post about the Colón region: Things to see and do in Colon Panamá?

Where and what to eat in  Portobelo?

Located on the Caribbean coast, it’s no surprise that the city’s best dishes are based on ingredients such as fish and seafood. Some of the city’s most famous dishes include fried fish, fufu (fish soup) and mamita (mashed guineo and coconut). It is also very common to eat cooked or grilled seafood such as lobster or octopus. Sweets include coconut corn buns, coca reina and enyucados. Here are some of the restaurants where you can try these dishes:

• Casa Vela: is an emblematic restaurant in the city for its incredible views of the bay. They serve local dishes, but are mainly known for their pizzas.
• Las Anclas: is a restaurant specialising in fish and seafood. It has the particularity that they also serve on the beach.
• Rico Rico Rico Bakery: It’s the best place to try local desserts, although they also have international products and serve juices.
• Bernardo’s Caribbean Café: is often recommended as a place to have a snack or breakfast, but is also a very good option for lunch or dinner. They serve quality local produce at very good prices.

Where to stay in Portobelo?

Despite being a fairly touristy place, the truth is that most tourists opt for a day trip rather than an overnight stay. That’s why there’s not a great deal of choice when it comes to accommodation. Still, we’ve put together this list of accommodation ideas in case you want to spend more days there:

• Casa Congo: this cosy bed and breakfast is a good option if you don’t want to spend a lot of money and stay in a comfortable place. It’s located in front of the beach and breakfast is included in the price of 95€ per night.
• Scubaportobelo: is a complex of bungalows with private bathrooms. The facilities include a garden, shared lounge and restaurant. They also organise all kinds of water activities. The price per night is around 60€.
• Rainforest Lodge del Rio: a charming guesthouse with its own pool, garden and bar. The price per night is around 65€ and breakfast is included in the price. Pets are also allowed.

How to get to Portobelo?

Panama’s main international airport is in the capital, which is 97km from Portobelo. However, there’s no direct connection; you have to make a stopover in Colón, the country’s second-largest city. From Panama and Colon there are several ways to get there:

• Private vehicle: Whether hiring a car or hiring from the hotel, road travel is the quickest and easiest. It takes 1 hour and 45 minutes and cars can be hired at the airport.
• Bus: This is the cheapest option, but also the slowest. From Panama, take a bus in the direction of Colon and get off at the Sabanitas stop, from where another bus leaves for Portobelo. They leave quite frequently, but you have to figure it takes about 3 hours to get there.
• Barca: From San Blas you can get there by boat.

What should I consider before travelling to Portobelo?

• No visa is required to enter Panama, but a passport valid for at least 6 months is required.
• The country is not the safest, so avoid going out at night and keep an eye on your belongings.
• The official language in Panama is Spanish although there are more than 19 languages.
• Vaccinations for hepatitis A and B, MMR, tetanus-diphtheria, typhoid fever are recommended, but not compulsory if travelling from Spain.
• There are two currencies in Panama, the dollar and the balboas.
• It’s best to change money before you start your trip, as there are shops and restaurants that don’t accept credit cards.
• The weather is warm all year round, but May to December is the rainy season.
• Tap water is safe to drink in most parts of the country.
• Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Portobelo?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Portobelo.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Portobelo