Portobelo town and forts - Panama
If you are not driving, it is better to come here on a tour. If you are on your own, the best way to walk around the area is starting with Bateria Santiago and Casa Fuerte Santiago both at the very beginning of the town. Then go to town center to Fort San Jeronimo and the Customs House.
Are you a business owner in Panama?
Promote your business 365 days a year with the #1 Guide to Panama.
- Gain MAXIMUM EXPOSURE with a 'Dedicated Business Profile'
Directions to Portobelo town and forts
Portobelo was named by Christopher Columbus on his 4th trip to the Americas in 1502 when he travelled this region. The name was derived from Porto Bello (beautiful port) and used by official founder of the city Francisco Velarde y Mercado in 1597.
Although nowadays it is a small fishing village, Portobelo was once one of Spain’s richest ports from the 16th to 18th century. All the gold and silver found in South America were brought to Portobelo for counting and registration purposes then to be re-exported to Europe. Due to this very same fact, this was an obvious target for pirates who wanted to steel the treasures and was indeed the cause of several attacks to the city. The Spanish built several forts around this area to protect the city and those, now in ruins, became a UNESCO World heritage site as of 1980.
Portobelo is located in Colon Province at 99km (62 miles) from Panama City and 43km (27 miles) from Colon City. The town is easily accessed by road and it is small enough to see it all by foot or water taxis. Its population is small and it is mainly African descendants from the slaves brought during the Panama Canal construction.
The most popular sites to see in this town are Bateria Santiago (Fort Santiago) which remains very well preserved with cannons, ramps and a sentry box and Fort San Jeronimo which is the best preserved fort originally built in 1664 but rebuilt with a slightly more modern design after the pirate attack in 1739 that destroyed it.
Other interesting places are Casa Fuerte Santiago, uphill from Bateria Santiago, which was used as a depository for ammunition and that overlooks the bay giving you a nice view, and Castillo Santiago de la Gloria built in 1600 and attacked twice by pirates. A bit uphill from this site you can also go to Mirador el Peru which offers a great view of Portobelo Bay.
If you still feel like seeing more forts, you can take a water taxi from Castillo Santiago de la Gloria to Fort San Fernado, although it doesn’t really look like a fort anymore because its rocks were taken and used during the Panama Canal construction.
It is also very interesting to visit the Customs House (Real Aduana de Portobelo), right next to Fort San Jeronimo, which once was the counting house of gold and silver. There is a small museum here (opens from 8 am to 4pm) but it does not come highly recommended.
Besides the forts, in Portobelo, you can also see one of the most popular churches in Panama – San Felipe Church. This church is known for having the Black Christ statue which is why one of the largest religious festivals in the country is held here every year on October 21st.
As mentioned, Portobelo is a port city and it is surrounded by the beautiful Caribbean sea. This area is also very popular between scuba divers because the surrounding waters offer 16 major dive sites including underwater attractions like a 110-ft cargo ship and a C-45 twin-engine plane.
My Guide website?
You may also like
-
AltaPlaza Mall
In the Vía Centenario a new meeting point of Panama is born. A point where entertainment and good times are assured. A point where you will find a wide variety of servic
-
The City of Knowledge
Just a few minutes from downtown Panama City, City of Knowledge is strategically located across from the Panama Canal. Some 120 hectares and more than 200 buildings of wh
-
Miraflores Visitors Center
Miraflores Locks are on the Pacific side of the canal and are the closest to Panama city. Here you will witness the ships transiting the canal and learn all about its his
-
San Roquito
Of the most visited spas or rivers in our dry season, for its transparent waters and the beauty of the surrounding environment, it has the particularity that its waters t
-
Recreational Park Omar
Parque Omar is an oasis in the heart of Panama City with great facilities to enjoy a day with the nature, keep yourself fit by jogging around or playing any sport you lik
-
Playa Punta Chame
Thanks its geography Punta Chame offers its visitors some peculiar landscapes. It is a narrow and long peninsula with an ocean on both sides and endless white sand beache
-
Sendero Los Quetzales (Quetzales Trail)
On the outskirts of the Baru Volcano, The Quetzals trail is one of the most beautiful hiking areas in Central America and one of the best places to see the very rare resp
-
Playa Venao (Vena'o)
Playa Venao is a great year round surfing spot very popular for its consistent beach breaks.It is also very attractive for its great view of the surroundings hills, and .
-
Las Estrellas Beach
The Bocas del Toro archipelago, in the western part of the country, is made up of 10 main islands and a series of islets where you will find dreamy beaches and is one o
-
Taboga Island
Taboga Island, also known as the Island of Flowers, is located in Panama Bay, 45 minuntes by boat from Panama City. It is a little town, very laid back, perfect as a get
