Getting There Colon is located close to the Atlantic entrance of the Panama Canal on the Caribbean Sea shore. It is 50 kilometers from the capital of the country, Panama City, and is connected by road, rail and air. The flight from Panama Canal takes about fifteen minutes only. So you can plan to spend the day in what is also called as the second city of the country and get back to the capital in the evening. You could also consider staying in one of the many hotels here.

A ride on the Panama Railroad is a great idea if you want to get a feel of what it was like to ride on a train on the same railroad during the gold rush. This railroad was the world’s first transcontinental railroad.

History and Culture The city has a rich and interesting history. And this is what makes it especially interesting for visitors to Panama. This sea port was developed by the Americans during the gold rush and provided them easy access to California. For quite a while the city was referred to as Aspinwall after William Henry Aspinwall, the Panama Railroad promoter. However, the Hispanic community here always referred to it as Colon after Christopher Colombus, whose name was Christopher Colon.

The city has seen a lot of changes over the decades. It has a diverse culture, with the natives mostly Afro-Caribbeans been brought in to work on the railroad. At its peak Culture of Colon prided itself on its neat and clean image. However with riots in 1885 and 1915, the city and its fabric decayed. Today it struggles to regain its pride and is still an acknowledged tourist destination. It is a good idea for visitors to stick with guided tours that offer a good understanding of the history of the city.

Places to See The Panama Canal is one of the country’s biggest treasures. At Miraflore Locks you get a great view of the canal. If you decide to stay at a hotel, a tour of the city can be easily organized. Once you are done discovering the city, take a tour to Portobelo. A 40 minute drive brings you to this Heritage Site. The San Lorenzo fort here is worth a visit and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Had enough of history and want to discover the eco-tourism side of this part of the country? Plan a trip to the Portobelo National Park. You will enjoy snorkeling and diving and discovering the reefs here. Bird watchers will particularly be thrilled with their experience of the national park, which is home to many species. You may also opt to go camping, rafting or sport fishing at the Chagres National Park.

For a relaxing afternoon visit the Gatun Locks and dam, watching the ships sail through the Panama Canal. Like most holidays you will want to take home mementoes from Panama. Amongst the things to shop for here include coffee, handicrafts and much more. At Cristobel Pier you can enjoy shopping for crafts at the rather festive market place.

Colon in Panama, is a great place for shopping and has over a thousand stores that offer duty free products. Here you can shop to your heart’s content knowing that you are paying much lesser than you would anywhere else. Many cruises stop here and you may want to end your trip to this city by embarking on a cruise from here.