Portobelo town
HistoryThe forts, church and customs house.
Town guide
Things to do in Portobelo
A Caribbean bay ringed by ruined Spanish forts: a UNESCO World Heritage Site where treasure fleets once loaded silver, Afro-Panamanian Congo culture, the Black Christ pilgrimage, snorkelling around Isla Mamey and Isla Grande, and sailing trips to Colombia.
1
Hostels in the city
1597
Founded
2
Days
Forts on a treasure bay
Portobelo is a small town on a deep bay on Panama's Caribbean coast, about two hours from Panama City. From the 16th to the 18th century, it was one of the great ports of the Spanish empire, where Peruvian silver was loaded for Spain at great trade fairs. Its forts, attacked by Henry Morgan and others, are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The town is home to Congo culture, a tradition of the descendants of Africans who escaped slavery, with dance, drumming and the Diablos y Congos festival. The Iglesia de San Felipe holds the Black Christ, which draws a huge pilgrimage every 21 October.
Portobelo is also where many sailing trips to Colombia start. Give it two days.
Where to base yourself
Stay in the town, near the forts and the church; Isla Grande, further along the coast, is a beach alternative.
Isla Grande
BeachAn island further along the coast.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 1 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Portobelo
Walk the forts of Santiago de la Gloria and San Jerónimo, with cannons still facing the bay, and visit the restored Real Aduana, the Spanish customs house.
See the Black Christ in the Iglesia de San Felipe, and visit the Taller Portobelo art workshop for Congo-inspired art. Learn about Congo dance and drumming with local groups.
Take a water taxi to the beaches and snorkelling of Isla Mamey, Playa Blanca and Playa La Huerta, and continue to Isla Grande.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The forts and the church are free to visit. Walking the town and the bay costs nothing.
The Real Aduana museum charges a small fee.
Water taxis and beach trips cost money.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Try Caribbean food: fish in coconut sauce, coconut rice, and lobster in season. Fondas serve plates for €5 to €8.
Try the local rum punch.
A 10 per cent tip is usual in restaurants; check the bill first, as some add it.
Nightlife
Going out
Portobelo is quiet, with a few bars by the water. Congo music and dance performances are the highlight.
Isla Grande has more beach bars.
A beer costs €1.50 to €3.
Getting around
Getting around
Buses run from Panama City's Albrook terminal to Sabanitas (about 1.5 hours), then on to Portobelo (about 1 hour). Tours from Panama City are easier.
Water taxis go to the beaches and Isla Mamey. Buses continue to La Guaira for the boat to Isla Grande.
Sailing trips to Colombia leave from here or from San Blas.
Costs
What Portobelo costs
Hostel beds start at around €12 to €20 a night. Fonda plates cost €5 to €8.
A water taxi to the beaches costs about €10 to €25 a person, and the Real Aduana a few euros.
Panama uses the US dollar, alongside its own balboa coins, which are worth the same. Bring cash; ATMs are limited.
Safety
Safety and scams
Portobelo is calm for visitors. The province of Colón has higher crime, so avoid Colón city itself unless you have a reason to go, and travel by day.
Book sailing trips to Colombia with a well-reviewed operator.
Tap water is safe to drink in Panama City and most of the country, but not in Bocas del Toro or on the islands; use bottled or filtered water there. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth the trip
Islands and the coast.
Isla Mamey
Beaches and snorkelling.
San Blas
Islands, then Colombia.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Festivals and pilgrimages.
21 October
Festival of the Black Christ
Iglesia de San Felipe
A huge pilgrimage.
Around Carnival
Festival de Diablos y Congos
Portobelo
Congo dance and masked devils.
February or March
Carnaval
Portobelo
Congo celebrations.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Portobelo, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
When to go
The Caribbean coast is wet for much of the year; January to April is driest. The Black Christ festival on 21 October draws tens of thousands of pilgrims.
Jan
Driest
Feb
Dry
Mar
Diablos y Congos, Easter
Apr
Easter
May
Rain
Jun
Rain
Jul
Rain
Aug
Rain
Sep
Rain
Oct
Black Christ
Nov
Wettest
Dec
Rain
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Hot and humid.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Portobelo prices.
Treat these as a guide. Boat trips cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Portobelo questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Portobelo worth visiting?
Yes, for the forts, Congo culture and the beaches.
How do I get to Portobelo?
By bus via Sabanitas or on a tour, about 2 to 2.5 hours.
When is the Black Christ festival?
21 October.
Can I sail to Colombia from Portobelo?
Yes, some trips start here.
Is Portobelo safe?
It is calm; avoid Colón city.
How many days do I need?
Two.
When is the best time to visit?
January to April.
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