Discover the history of the colonizers who settled in Panama. Alongside the enslaved individuals brought by the Spanish, they created a remarkable history that this tour will reveal. Don’t miss the chance to explore the earliest marks left by these groups in the Panamanian Caribbean.
Discover the history of the colonizers who settled in Panama. Alongside the enslaved individuals brought by the Spanish, they created a remarkable history that this tour will reveal. Don’t miss the chance to explore the earliest marks left by these groups in the Panamanian Caribbean.
- Fort San Lorenzo - This is the first Spanish fortress used by the Spanish to protect their newly discovered lands from piracy.
- Santiago Battery - Although not typically included in Panama’s usual tourist itineraries, this site is located on the way to Isla Grande, about 30 minutes from Colón. It offers a glimpse into both religious history…
- Fort San Lorenzo - This is the first Spanish fortress used by the Spanish to protect their newly discovered lands from piracy.
- Santiago Battery - Although not typically included in Panama’s usual tourist itineraries, this site is located on the way to Isla Grande, about 30 minutes from Colón. It offers a glimpse into both religious history and naval trade, highlighting the ongoing conflicts between pirates, privateers, and buccaneers. As a former English and Spanish trade center during the Colonial Era, this fort is open to tourists and provides a taste of this rich history. Nearby, the Church of San Felipe houses the renowned “Negro de Portobelo,” made famous by Ismael Rivera in his classic “The Nazarene.”
- Centro de Visitantes de Portobelo - This beautifully restored 18th-century house serves as the venue for a small yet captivating museum, showcasing Portobelo’s history from past to present with vibrant photos and videos.
- Fuerte San Jeronimo - The Castle of San Jerónimo, or Fort of San Jerónimo de Portobelo, was part of the Spanish Crown’s defensive system for transatlantic trade and exemplifies 17th and 18th-century military architecture.
- Museo de La Real Aduana de Portobelo - This museum features three rooms. The first room explores the history of enslaved people from their arrival in Portobelo, their societal development, economic contributions, and liberation processes.
The second room delves into the intangible heritage of African descent, including Congo cultural expressions (recognized as intangible heritage by UNESCO), rituals, beliefs, traditions of the Black Christ, and the reasons for its many devotees. Visitors will also learn about Portobelo’s gastronomy and music.
The third room, known as the exterior room, consists of panels discussing the customs building, surrounding fortifications, and the globally significant fairs that took place there, which are now part of the isthmus’s history.
- Iglesia de San Felipe - The Church of San Felipe, also known as the Church of the Black Christ, is a Catholic church in Portobelo, Panama. Built in 1814, it houses a statue of the Black Christ, discovered on the port’s shores.
- Casa Congo - This art reflects the significance of the Congo Culture, with centuries of Afro-descendant tradition in Panama.
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- San Lorenzo fortress entrance fee - $5
- Lunch
- San Lorenzo fortress entrance fee - $5
- Lunch
- Not wheelchair accesible
- Not wheelchair accesible
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.