Cruising into the port at Colon, Panama? A local guide is waiting to take you away from the crowds, on a private tour of the city.

Find the perfect itinerary below, or design your own Panama tour and experience the best of this beautiful country with a friendly and knowledgeable ToursByLocals guide.

Colon

If you're keen on immersing yourself in the captivating culture of the Spanish colonial era in Portobelo, then this tour is an excellent choice for you.

Portobelo was once the trading hub of the Americas and was a melting pot of Caribbean and African cultures. During this visit, I will share my experiences, traditions, and culture as a fourth-generation descendant of Barbadians, giving you a special and unique insight into Caribbean culture in Panama.

In addition to the historical landmarks, which include a museum and a waterside guest house, you'll also explore a tropical paradise that boasts stunning beaches and mangroves. The crystal-clear waters are perfect for swimming and relaxing.

This tour is the perfect way to spend a day away from the city and bask in the tranquil beauty of the Caribbean paradise.

Come across afro Caribbean culture and visit a paradisiacal beach!

Portobelo and Playa Blanca Full Day Trip with Boat Ride

Aguas Claras Visitor Center and City Tour in Colón

Inmerse yourself in the history, culture and Natural beauty of Colón in the company of a local, Discover it all-from the charming colonial atmosphere, former zone of the American Military bases to the grandeur of the new expantion of the Panama Canal.

This tour not only provides you with an in-depth knowledge of the history, but it also connects you with the very essence of the caribbean side and its people.

 Do Not miss discovering every place the magic of this side of Panama through this unforgettable sightseen.

Transit of the Container Ship, Aguas Claras Locks, Caribbean side

Panoramic View of Gatun Lake and Aguas Claras sign.

Current Building abandoned of former Fort Gulick

Former School of Las Americas, current Melia Panama Canal Hotel

A Weapon that belonged of Las Americas School.

A starving wild Cat, going to San Lorenzo Fort

Visiting Fort Gulick and San Lorenzo Fort

Travel on a motor boat on Gatun Lake where you might pass right next to some of the vessels that transit the Panama Canal daily. We will motor along the forested banks of Gatun Lake, a Panama Canal protected area. Look for wildlife such as Capuchin Monkeys, Howler Monkeys, various kinds of Toucans and other species. This is a place to observe and learn about the rich biodiversity that Panama has.

We do NOT feed wildlife on this tour.

Cost per person for the boat in the Gatun Lake

Mantled howler monkeys / Alouatta palliata

Explore the monkey islands of the Panama Canal

Gatun Lake Jungle Boat adventure

Begin your journey with scenic landscapes of the 12, 000 hectares of pristine rainforest, a natural gem area, that hosts an incredible variety of flora and fauna, like howling monkeys, toucans, helicons, swamps, rivers, reefs, and 20 km of coastline. It is an important piece of the Meso-American Biological Corridor, besides comprising the northernmost part of the Biological Corridor between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. After passing through the rainforest and hiking, enjoy a walking tour at San Lorenzo Fort, located in the North of the protected area on the edge of a rocky. The colonial period fort was built in 1599 on the Chagres River and the Caribbean Sea. After this visit to the New Locks.

historical fort, wildlife observation, new locks

San Lorenzo Forest Private Tour

Portobelo is located about 2 hours from Panama City. This historical and scenic bay side town is home to the ruins of 17th century Spanish forts and a restored Spanish Colonial treasure house. Portobelo was Spain's major port in the Americas. All the gold and treasure that travel to Spain from Peru and Bolivia went through the Portobelo Custom house.
This little town was also attack seven times by pirates, privateers and the English navy. Sir Francis Drake, Henry Morgan and many other attack Portobelo.

Beside the rich history, Portobelo's surrounding areas has some of the beautiful Caribbean beach areas with turquoise water that invite to relax and enjoy the environment.

This tour is best on week day to avoid crowds.
The listing price is for 2 passengers, bigger groups can be arrange on request.

History and Relaxing Beach Day.

Portobelo, And Beach

Go back in time to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries where Portobello was the richest port routes between Spain and America. In those days even some ruins still preserves like castles Santiago Gloria, San Geronimo, San Fernando and San Fernandito showing their guns that who's uses for the defense of the city, all sow the Royal Customs House and the Church of San Felipe de Portobello remain standing

The Bay of Portobello was discovered by Christopher Columbus on his fourth voyage in 1502 and its great beauty he called Porto Bello (beautiful port in Italian). But the city was not founded until almost a century later, in 1597, by Francisco Valverde and Mercado, who called San Felipe de Portobello in honor of Philip II of Spain. Portobello emerged to replace the town of Nombre de Dios, who had no good natural conditions to defend against pirate attacks.
Come to visit this place and let the story will wrap until revive the great importance of Portobello for the Spanish Crown

Learn more about the history of the black maroons

Portobello Black Marrones


 Pirate Legacy: Discovering Fort San Lorenzo and the Pirate Route: This name emphasizes the historical legacy of piracy in Panama, attracting those interested in this fascinating topic.

Embark on a journey through time and discover the secrets of Fort San Lorenzo and the Pirate Route in Panama.

Travel along the Camino Real, an ancient trade route by conquistadors and pirates to transport their treasures. Imagine the caravans loaded with gold and the fierce battles that were fought in this place.

Explore Fort San Lorenzo, an imposing fortress that protected the Chagres River and Panama City entrance. Admire its colonial architecture and learn about its crucial role in the defense of the Spanish Empire.

Navigate the Chagres River, a river surrounded by lush vegetation and rich biodiversity. Enjoy the tranquility of the natural environment and observe the variety of birds that live in the area

Deep Panama: A trip to Fort San Lorenzo and the Pirate Route:

The  pirate route and fort san lorenzo

The Embera: A Historical legacy of Panama's Indians Civilization

Located in the midst of the Canal Watershed; The Embera community offers an unique experience surrounded by picturesque landscape as well soaking into their amazing culture. There you'll get to know their day by day activities such as Local Crafts design, their music and dances performance, learn their history background and even more.

its a 6 hour tour which involves:
Jump into a dugout canoe and navigate in a channel of dense vegetation where the river flows to the artifical lake of Gatun.
Welcoming reception from the Indian community Chief and members
Get in a Hut and be entertained with their wonderful history, culture and background explanations
Enjoy having a traditional indian meal lunch
View and shop from the hands of the Manufacturers beautiful handycrafts.
Take a forest trail walk to observe some wildlife animals.
Dance their musical rhythm performed in special events and ceremonies.

Admission fee to Embera Indigenous Village which includes:
--Dugout Canoe transporation - Embera Village
--Explanation of Emberas culture, House architecture, gastronomy, hunting and farming activities, handycrafts and indumentaries designs, Dances and Musical instruments.
--Light traditional indian lunch (Tilapia Fish with deep fried mashed plantains) also tropical seasonal fruits

on the Dugout Canoe sailing thru Gatun Lake

Exploring The Embera Indigenous Group

Portobelo is located in the province of Colon, district of Portobelo, at 2 hours from Panama city, which outstands its beautiful beaches in the Caribbean side and of course its formidable background history that still stands in their monumental military architecture. This town was popular back in time due to the famous fairs of Portobelo were merchants from all over the world, reached down to trade and exchange goods and articles using the famous Cobblestone road known as Camino Real & Camino de Cruces. Furthermore these routes; made by the spaniards conquerors, were used in order to ship all the gold, silver and treasures that were taken out from Peru and Ecuador to Europe; reason why many Pirates and Buccaneers raided this town no less than 7 times.

Some of the traditional local Caribbean food

The trading hub used by the spaniards and merchants

Portobelo History & Beach Tour Full Day

Agua Clara New Expanded Locks & Fort San Lorenzo Private Tour

This tour combines antique and modern architecture along with a vast history weaving the vital role play Panama has from colonial times until the present. The places we'll interact in our experience are:
1. Agua Clara New Expanded Locks, 2. Gatun Dam brief stop, 3. Panoramic ride over the Atlantic Bridge, 4. Brief ride to Fort Sherman former US military base, 5. Fort San Lorenzo visitors center(World Heritage Site by the UNESCO).

A unique experience combining History, Nature and World Class Engineering Feat in Panama.

Delight yourselves on this five-hour tour that exposes the local culture of the people of Colon City, its history, gastronomy, and culture.

On this opportunity, we'll enjoy the following attractions and activities:
1. Local experience interaction (buy a popular local pattie at a bakery, stroll into the Municipal Public Market, and jump into a famous Red Devil transportation). 2. Visit and explore Portobelo Town and its fortresses.

Enjoying a Red Devil bus in Colon City with my dear travellers

A Congo dancer trying to persuade my traveler for a kiss

Coln tours

Explore with 11 tours and 8 guides.

Roderick M.

$ 500 (USD)

Chris L.

$ 300 (USD)

Luis M.

$ 340 (USD)

Michelle P.

$ 350 (USD)

Mario O.

$ 350 (USD)

Teofilo J.

$ 375 (USD)

Martin D.

$ 470 (USD)

Vincent S.

$ 465 (USD)

Vincent S.

$ 600 (USD)

Vincent S.

$ 400 (USD)

Vincent S.

$ 500 (USD)

Meet your local guides in Coln

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