Colón, Panama Cruise Port: What to Expect at Colón 2000”

Arriving in Colón, Panama

When we arrived in Colón, all four of us were excited to step off the ship and explore. Wayne and I have lived in Panama for a little over a year, yet we had never actually visited Colón—though it had always been on our list. So this felt like our moment. At the very least, we planned to step off the ship, walk around the port, and maybe enjoy lunch while finally experiencing this historic canal city.

A Surprising Welcome at the Port

Not long after stepping off the ship, we were approached by a woman offering a guided tour of Colón for either $50 or $60 per person. She was quite persistent and briefly followed us, lowering her price in hopes that we would reconsider.

We politely explained that we were Pensionado residents of Panama and were not interested in a tour. Instead, we simply wanted to walk around the port area and see what it had to offer.

Eventually, she moved on, but something about the interaction felt a bit concerning. The woman had no signage on her clothing or vehicle identifying a tour company. For us, stepping into an unknown van with someone we had just met at the port didn’t feel like the safest decision.

Although the encounter left us with a slightly uneasy first impression, we decided to continue exploring the port area.

Exploring the Colón Cruise Port

Once we began walking around, we found the port itself to be quite pleasant. The Colón 2000 Cruise Port was clean and organized, with small shops and restaurants for visitors to explore. There were also plenty of great photo opportunities for first-time travelers visiting the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal.

Even though we didn’t venture far beyond the port area during this visit, it was still interesting to finally see this part of the country we now call our second home.

Fun Facts About Colón, Panama

Before visiting Colón, we didn’t realize just how much history and global importance this Caribbean port city holds. Located on the Atlantic side of Panama, Colón has played a major role in trade, transportation, and the development of the Panama Canal. Here are a few fun and surprising facts that make Colón such an interesting place to visit.

🚢 1️⃣ Once One of the Richest Cities in the Region
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Colón was one of the most prosperous cities in Central America. Its location as the Atlantic gateway to the Panama Canal made it a major hub for international shipping and trade.

🌿 2️⃣ Built on Former Swampland
Much of Colón was originally mangrove swamp. Early developers had to fill and stabilize the land before building the city, railroad, and port facilities that would support global trade.

🌎 3️⃣ Home to One of the World’s Largest Free Trade Zones
The Colón Free Trade Zone is the second-largest free trade zone in the world and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Companies from dozens of countries operate here, moving billions of dollars in goods every year.

🚪 4️⃣ Known as the “Golden Gate of the Americas.”
Because of its strategic location at the confluence of two oceans and multiple continents, Colón was once referred to as the Golden Gate of the Americas, serving as a major entry point for travelers and cargo.

⚓ 5️⃣ Only Minutes from the Panama Canal Locks
From the Colón 2000 Cruise Port, visitors are just a short drive from the Gatun Locks, one of the most fascinating sections of the Panama Canal, where ships are lifted and lowered as they transit between oceans.

A Quick Visit… For Now

While we didn’t end up finding a place to sit down for lunch at the port, we did enjoy browsing through several shops and picking up a few magnets before heading back to the ship. Even though our first moments off the ship felt a bit overwhelming due to the persistent tour offer, we still left with curiosity about Colón.

In fact, we fully plan to return one day for a deeper look at the city beyond the cruise port.

Your Turn

Have you ever visited Colón, Panama? Whether you explored the port or took a tour of the city, we’d love to hear about your experience.

Next Stop

Next up: the farewell aboard the Viking Mars and our final port of call at the Amador Causeway in Panama City. Stay tuned as we wrap up this incredible cruise journey. 🚢🌎