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Panama

Things to do in Portobelo

Why you should go

Ninety seconds on Portobelo

Deep natural harbour on the Caribbean coast of Panama, once the port where silver from Peru was loaded for Spain and now a fishing village among ruined batteries. The bay is the base for diving, the shrine of the Black Christ and boats out to Isla Grande. The road from Colón follows the coast, with buses through the day. October brings pilgrims for the Black Christ festival and the village fills. Rain is heavy on this coast and the sea turns murky for diving after a downpour.

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Things to do

3
  1. Church of San Felipe

    Church · 30 min

    A dark wooden figure of Christ, carried through the streets on the twenty first of October by pilgrims in purple, stands in this village church and draws crowds from across the country. The building itself is plain and open through the day. Outside the festival the village is quiet and the church takes only a few minutes to see.

  2. Isla Grande

    Island · 4 hr

    Boats cross in a few minutes from La Guaira to this small island of Congo culture, palm shade and a handful of guesthouses along one shore. Weekends bring day trippers from the capital and music from the beach bars, and midweek it empties. Swimming is best on the north side, and the crossing is rough in a swell.

  3. Playa Blanca

    Beach · 3 hr

    Reached only by boat from the harbour, this pale crescent sits on the far side of the bay with jungle behind it and a dive centre and cabins at one end. Snorkelling over the reef offshore is the reason to cross. Boatmen agree a pick up time before leaving, and nothing is sold on the beach.

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