Making the most of Portobelo
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Since ships cannot dock at this port, tendering is used for passengers going ashore.
A printable map to take with you.
On Colon province’s Caribbean coast, Portobelo lies about halfway between the Panama Canal and San Blas archipelago.
Available figures estimate that around 45 galleon fleets sailed between 1574 and 1702, each carrying at least 30 million pesos. The city therefore gained three defence levels against pirate attack, becoming today’s Historical Monumental Complex of civilian and religious colonial-era architecture.
Portobelo is also known for its Black Christ, kept in the church just off the main square.
Money
Panama uses the Balboa and US Dollar. The Balboa has exactly the same value as the US dollar, but in reality exists only as coins equivalent to US coins.
Staying connected
Portuguese is spoken.
Cafés offering customers free WiFi are few and far between.
Opening Hours and
Most stores and businesses keep basic 9am to 6pm hours, with an extended lunch break from around noon to 2pm.
Many museums close on monday.