April 23-24, 2025

Marti Eicholz

 

We celebrate one hundred eighty days cruising the seas.

Colon, Panama welcomes us with their usual warm humid day. Colon experiences a tropical monsoon climate, elevated temperatures, (averaging around 82 F), and humidity year-round with a rainy season from May to December. Colon is one of the wettest cities in Central America.

In December 13-15, 2024, we visited Colon, Panama, a city and province on the Caribbean coast of Panama, fifty miles northwest of Panama City, the northern entrance to the Panama Canal. Now four months later we re-visit this northern gateway, serving the Panama Canal. While we wait for our second time-around crossing, we will take another glimpse into this fascinating city’s rich history, unique vibrant culture, diverse population, architecture, incomparable scenery and strategic importance as it boasts of its proximity to the splendor and majesty of the Panama Canal.

Colon was built on a low-lying, swampy area on Manzanillo Island and then founded in 1850 as a railway hub.

At the Caribbean end of the Panama Canal sits Colon, making it a vital port during the construction of the canal. The Panama Canal boosted Colón's population and economic importance. Now Colon is a busy container port, a major hub for global trade and commerce in Latin America.

Colón's diverse population includes South Asian and Arab communities, as well as Afro-Caribbean descendants of workers who built the canal.

Colón is recognized for its diverse heritage, an exact mix blend of tradition with modernism, giving it a vibrant cultural tapestry. Island beaches, a natural park, culture, and history intermingle, adding richness in its places, but also of its people. It is small, yet exciting.

The popular restored Panama Canal Railway, featuring elegant, wood-paneled, carpeted rail cars, offers a hour-long scenic rail journey through the rainforest connecting Panama City and Colon. A unique travel experience.

Colon is known for its Free Zone, one of the largest in the world. The Colon Free Zone is a massive duty-free shopping showroom where wholesalers, retailers, and the public shop.

Another major shopping and business center is Colon 2000 at the cruise ship port with restaurants, supermarket, and shops selling duty-free merchandise.

The geographical location of Colon allows you to enjoy Isla Grande and Isla Mamey with breathtaking wonders like turquoise beaches, white sand, warm waters, a refreshing breeze, rows of coconut trees, and different recreational activities like rowing, paddling, kayaking, snorkeling, boat excursions, and sunbathing. True natural paradises.

San Lorenzo and Portobelo’s forts, historic homes, and museums are magnificent examples of 17th and 18th century military architecture. The construction of these forts was conducted by African slaves and their influence continues in areas such as culinary culture and typical dances. You can imagine what life would be like during those times. Wicked pirates lurking in the waters, staunch military personnel, clashing swords with breathtaking views of turquoise waters, entering the Panama Canal.

Visit the coastal town of Portobelo, a charming place, overlooking a deep sea, green forests, mangroves, picturesque houses, and narrow streets filled with culture and history. While in Portobelo, visit the National Park, a place noted for protecting reefs, mangroves, marine forests, tropical forests, and the fauna that inhabits the area. Hike through the mysterious forests and chase waterfalls.

Whether in Colon or the Caribbean towns, like Portobelo and La Guaira, savor vibrant, boisterous Caribbean flair and rich food culture. Feel the Caribbean rhythm of traditional Calypso music and Congo dances.

Near the city of Colon, you find the Atlantic entrance to the canal. It is hard to imagine this marvelous work of engineering. The Panama Canal is one of the wonders of the world and the city of Colon is part of that wonder.

Leaving Colon, we take note that the city is focusing on major rehabilitation and rebuilding projects, aiming at enhancing urban infrastructure, preserving heritage, revitalizing the city, and combating a negative reputation.