Santiago Battery Tickets and Tours

Afro-Colonial History of Colon Panama Private Tour

Long day of travel.

Fabulous day exploring San Lorenzo and Portobelo forts. Lorenzo is several miles west of Colon city and Portobello is even farther east of Colon. If you want to check off the boxes of visiting these two Colonial ports and their historical importance to colonial Panama you have to commit to spending the day behind the windshield. I thought the time required was really worth it. The establishment of these forts was the seed for the idea of a better path through the jungle followed by a railroad and finally a canal. The jungle wasn’t friendly. The native Americans weren’t friendly and the environment was hostile. Nevertheless the need to cross the continent at its narrowest point became really important. These forts started the process to shorten the trip and make Panama relevant. I had a private tour and Jose was an excellent driver and a good guide. The tour took all day but the history lesson was worth it. Colon was built in the last century and has become a “hole”, AND shame on its citizens for allowing its garbage, crime and filth become its takeaway.