Things to do & places to visit in Colon Province, Panama

Colon Province #4 destination in Panama 2023. The average rating score is 4.26 based on 4.280 traveler reviews, of 78 attractions. Timezone: America/Panama, current date and time: Saturday, May 04, 2024, 22:16.

Colon Province Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in May

85°F - 80°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Pleasantly warm, muggy

Feels like

68%

Chance of rain

253.0 millimeters

Amount

9.4 mph

Wind speed

82%

Humidity

12.5

Daylight length

5:59 AM

Sunrise

6:32 PM

Sunset

20%

Cloud cover

Sleeveless shirt, rain coat and rain boots

What to wear

Top things to do (36)

Top destinations in Colon Province 25

See more 13 destinations »

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Golden Frog Scuba (117 reviews)
- A 5 star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Experience
Scuba & Snorkelling

My wife and I had a amazing time diving with Rey at Golden Frog Scuba . He took the time to make sure we were outfitted right and really worked with both of us to make us better divers ... Rey really showed me the difference that upgraded equipment can make in my experience as a diver and I am changed for the better because of him. I am a more experienced diver than my wife and yet I greatly benefitted from his instruction. The customer service including transportation to and from our ship was amazing .. The time we spent with Rey and his team were a highlight of our cruise ... We will definitely go back and stay longer because the biodiversity of this region is something to explore ... See more..
5.0 Birding Pipeline Panama (95 reviews)
- Best Pipeline Road experiance!
Nature & Wildlife Tours

Birding Pipeline Road with Nando is the best! Expert, professional and a great pace. We got 93 species in under 8 hours. Nando would have kept going but I needed to get back to Panama city. I contacted several outfits trying to squeeze in a day of birding on the legendary Pipeline Road and Nando was the most responsive and flexible not to mention he provided a reasonable price. He can customize trips throughout Panama. I hope to bird with Nando again soon. Highlights were a Great Potoo which is a truly bizarre bird and the dancing Ant-pita was a treat. Nando found me three species of Motmot as well. See more..
5.0 Panama Reef Divers (91 reviews)
- Amazing Instructor and Experience
Scuba & Snorkelling

I recently stayed at Panama Reef Divers for 2 nights while completing my PADI Advanced Open Water course. My experience was amazing. Nevin, the owner/instructor, limits her course sizes(my entire course was 1 on 1), does not rush anything and truly loves what she does. I had complete confidence in her, the equipment provided and boat used. Trust was essential when performing my first Night Dive and Deep Dive(100 ft). I highly recommend this shop and will definitely return. See more..
5.0 Wild Card Sailing (62 reviews)
- Sovereign Grace for the win
Boat Tours

Hands down the best experience of my travels so far. Sophie made sure we ate like kings. James, Sweet lips and Juks made our time on the trip easy and heaps of fun. The islands were stunning and provided some mad insta content for everyone, but the best bits happened on the boat when we chilled on the deck and had a couple of beers. Would recommend 11/10. Worth every cent! See more..
5.0 Pesca-Arenosa (23 reviews)
- World Class Peacock Bass Fishing
Fishing Charters & Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

Having been an avid fisherman all my life, think how i felt after fishing with Armando on Lake Gatun in Arenosa, Panama. Armando is a great guide and he truly loves his job. He will bait your hook, he will take your "catch" off and he will put on another minnow for you. We have permanent "tee" times with Armando and Dennis Melton. They run one of the best fishing/guide services I have ever witnessed. You will love the experience. The cost is very reasonable and you will love the fish you eat. Peacock Bass tastes almost exactly like corvina -- an ocean sea bass. In the states, I fished for largemouth bass for most of my life. I don't eat largemouth bass but I will eat Peacock Bass. Come see Dennis and enjoy his excellent services. I rate Dennis and Armando as outstanding. I believe you will too. Please don't book all his services. Save some days for us! an Altos del Maria resident See more..
5.0 Panama Dive Adventure (21 reviews)
- Great dives with Alvaro and his DM, Yani!
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Scuba & Snorkelling

Amazing dive trip with this crew! We booked four dives for our short stay in Portobelo and had a great time diving in the Caribbean side. Lots of schools of fish and beautiful coral - the reef is in good condition. It was also really great to see the crew take care of the reef as they picked out fishing line from the coral and kept it in pristine condition. We are so happy to have dove with this dive centre — this is the ONE to pick here in Panama!!! Thank you Alvaro, Yani and team! See more..
5.0 Just Adventures Panama (16 reviews)
- Exactly what I was hoping for
Nature & Wildlife Tours

Justo was fantastic from the moment I reached out to discuss a tour via email to the moment he dropped me off at my hotel. His communications were clear and timely during the planning stages including a late date change due to schedule changes. On the tour, Justo knew all the right spots and quick to point out new species as they came along throughout the day. We tallied 85 bird species and 5 mammals, wow in 6 hours! I recommend Just Adventures tours. I will use them when I come back with family and friends. Thanks for the incredible experience! See more..
5.0 Jolly Roger Diving (15 reviews)
- Excellent dive center
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Scuba & Snorkelling • Kayaking & Canoeing

The best place to dive in panama Very professional the nicest speedboat in the portabelo National Park The only dive center you can go for Shore dive Excellent equipment All equipment according to American standard Thanks Vince Looking forward to the next diving See more..
5.0 Chagres River (13 reviews)
- What a beautiful place!
Bodies of Water

Measuring 100 to 200 feet across and approximately 40 feet deep, this river serves as the main source of water for high-level locks of the Panama Canal. See more..
5.0 Panama Tours & Scuba (7 reviews)
- Rundreise
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM City Tours • Boat Tours • Eco Tours • Private Tours • Dolphin & Whale Watching

The best Tour operator in Panama. He has convinced with his professional organisation, his availibility, his tireless carrying and his know how. Hasta la vista mi amigo See more..
5.0 Portobelo Explorer (7 reviews)
- Wonderful, highly recommend
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Tours

An unforgettable historical and educational trek through the jungle. Nelson and Ajin are expert naturists who know every inch of the jungle. The trees, wildlife, and history feel so alive all around you when you have them as guides. The views from the mirador spot are breathtaking, and the hidden ruins have a quiet and solemn energy about them. You can feel the hundreds of years of history clinging onto the old broken stone. Kristyna, our Portobelo Explorer contact before we got to the town, was patient with our traffic delays, accommodating and readily available to answer any questions I had in detail. I can't recommend this tour enough to anyone who finds themselves in Portobelo See more..
5.0 Embera Quera (5 reviews)
- Embera Quera Tour Outstanding
Historical & Heritage Tours • Day Trips

This is my fourth trip to the Embera Quera village. I would recommend this trip over all the others Embera tours. The Embera Quera overnight stay is extremally enjoyable, and I would recommend that everyone experience the life and culture of these wonderful people. Their hospitality and way of life will stay with you for life, See more..
5.0 Paseo Marino (5 reviews)
- wonderful experiences
Points of Interest & Landmarks

The area is good to visit and take pictures, excellent people and colorful views. wonderful place to have fun See more..
4.5 Gatun Locks (761 reviews)
- Man made engineering marvel!
Points of Interest & Landmarks

We transited the canal on the Windstar Starbreeze. The operation of the locks is amazing and is much the same as it was when the call was completed in 1914. The transit is fascinating and the amount of earth that was removed and the amount of concrete poured is mindboggling. We would highly recommend the smaller Windstar ships for this as they anchor at the smaller ports and give you a lot more exploring versatility. See more..
4.5 Jungle Land Panama (336 reviews)
- A Special Place in the Jungle
This location was reported permanently closed Fishing Charters & Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Stand Up Paddleboarding • Kayaking & Canoeing

We did an overnight tour at Jungle Land and I still dream of returning. It was an amazing 24 hours. Upon arriving at the lodge, you have time for a swim in the lake, relaxing in the hammocks, or hanging out with a drink and book in hand at one of the lodge's viewpoints. After a delicious dinner we did the night boat tour, spotted several cayman, and heard the jungle come alive. Sitting at the lodge watching the stars and hearing the amazing jungle noises was a perfect ending to the day. In the morning we were woken up at 5am by howler monkeys and I cannot remember ever being so happy so early in the morning. The next day we chose to forgo our monkey island tour, having already done it earlier our trip, so we had the lake and its jumping platform to ourselves. After lunch we went on a wonderful kayaking trip to a waterfall. I was saddened to leave such a beautiful place but so grateful to Karen and Maria for taking care of us. We hope to return again! See more..
4.5 Panama Rainforest Discovery Center (230 reviews)
- Take the pipeline trail and make a left at the fork!
Spent More than 3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas

The Panamá Rainforest Discovery Center is the main project of the Fundación Avifauna Eugene Eisenmann, non-profit environmental organization for the conservation of birds in Panama. Our objective is to protect the tropical rainforest throught sustainable tourism.We offer bird feeders, a 32 meters observation tower, 2 kilometers of trails, gift sotre and educational programs for students.Most of the staff of the Panamá Rainforest Discovery Center are from neighbouring communities. They are incorporated into the center after going through a training and selection program. See more..
4.5 Agua Clara Locks (153 reviews)
- A must see if you are in Colon
Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Observation Decks & Towers

I was on a cruise and we stop for one day in Colon. We went there with a taxi we hire out of the cruise port. We loved the point of view we had on the Panama canal and this lock. It's a perfect point of view to see the new lock and the boat coming in the lock. The entrance cost is $10 and you don’t need to reserve it in advance. We also really enjoy our taxi driver who was a proud Panamanian. He was an excellent guide: we all enjoy his humor and knowledge of Panama, the canal and Colon. He also went (with a stop) on the new bridge and we had a Colon city tour (interesting but it’s a city who desperately need money to renovate the building, streets…). If you cave have this taxi driver (Rigoberto Calderon +507-66-99-6480) you will have a wonderful day! See more..
4.5 Panama Outdoor Adventures (82 reviews)
- The adventure starts before you reach the zip line
Sightseeing Tours

My sisters and I heard about the Panama Outdoor Adventures site from Jason at Portobelo Adventures. We spent an afternoon on the zip lines and river raft tour mid-April 2015. The zip lines through the rain forest canopy were awesome. Our guides, Jorge and Marco(?) were professional, polite and just a bit crazy. A good mix. The river raft tour on a sweltering hot day was also great fun. Would I visit again, if the opportunity to arose? Heck, yes. The only negative aspect of the visit was the online directions and road markings. The online directions refer to distances in time. This does not help in Panama where taxi drivers and bus drivers drive at crazy speeds. Time means nothing. All distances should be listed in miles and/or kilometers. The online directions also show a picture of the turn off to the site, with an outdated photo of a bus stop and no mention of the actual road name. That did not help us when coming from Portibelo on a bus. We spotted the bus stop and turn off by chance. Once you are walking the trail to the site, the road signs are infrequent and in some places confusing. Again, we made our way to the site by chance. Fair warning to anybody driving to site. You will need a 4wd to drive up and down hills to the site. A regular sedan car will bottom out and not have the engine power for the ascents and descents. I know I will remember my visit for years to come. It was pure fun, despite the crazy heat and humidity and poor directions and signage. For anybody else thinking of visiting, go. Go now. Have fun. See more..
4.5 Safaricks Zoologico (77 reviews)
- Inspirational
This location was reported permanently closed Zoos

Safarick's Rescue and Rehabilitation Center gives visitors of all ages the chance to learn about Panama's wildlife. Safaricks works closely with Mi Ambiente by receiving confiscated wildlife, curing, rehabilitating and releasing, and giving a permanent home to wild animals that are not candidates for release. Among the animals currently residing at the center are an ocelot, deer, capybaras, tamarin and squirrel monkeys, capuchin and spider monkeys, coatis, toucans, parrots and macaws, amphibians, and reptiles. Visitors arriving at Safaricks are guided by experienced tour guides through the enclosures, the walk-through aviary and the walk-through butterfly botanical garden.The tour is roughly one hour and 30 minutes. For visitors that wish to end their day on a caribbean beach, we offer packages that include rescue center and beach. See more..
4.5 Panamore (71 reviews)
- One of a kind experience!
Sightseeing Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Day Trips

We found our experience with Dario to be one of a kind. We booked the “3 activities” tour to include kayaking across the bay and through the mangroves, hiking through the jungle and swimming at a private beach. The tour was with just our family so it felt very intimate and we learned so much about the history and the nature that isn’t likely replicated by a larger tour operator out of the city. We ended our tour with pizza and a cold beer at the family owned restaurant and it couldn’t have been a better day. We strongly recommend Panamore Tours if you are looking for a one of a kind, tailored experience from people who clearly love history, animals and sharing this historic community. See more..
4.5 Observation Centre Canal Expansion (52 reviews)
- Great place to see the canal
Observation Decks & Towers

Great place to see the Panama Canal. Not sure if this is a duplicate entry for the Aqua Clara Visitor Center. There's a nice movie that explains the canal. The commentary is live and addresses each ship passing through the locks. See more..
4.5 Chagres National Park (50 reviews)
- Visit Authentic Embera Indian Village
National Parks

Located on the eastern side of the Panama Canal, this 300,000-acre park features the Chagres River and Lake Alajuela, which are popular spots for camping, rafting, fishing and other water sports. See more..
4.5 Gamboa Rainforest Resort Chagres River Boat Tour (46 reviews)
- Excellent tour!
Boat Tours

I went on this tour early April and it did not disappoint. I saw monkeys in the wild, a sloth in the wild, toucans in the wild, iguana - plus more! as well as a crocodile just off the side of the Rainforest Resort restaurant down near the launching site. Also wonderful to travel a wee bit along the Panama Canal and see close up some of the ships passing through it. We drove to the resort and tour was approx 30 - 40 for a one hour tour. This tour and area a highlight of my visit to Panama. Wish I'd done more that this area offers. See more..
4.5 Asociación Panamericana para la Conservación (46 reviews)
- Rescue Center near Gamboa Rainforest Resort---worth the visit!
Spent < 1 hour Nature & Wildlife Areas

Want to get up close and personal with some of Panama's wildlife and help support a worthwhile effort to help injured, orphaned animals? The founders, Ernesto and his wife Yissell, and their volunteers run a small center near the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. On the day we visited, we fed a two-toed sloth, held a Rothschild's porcupine, visited with an 18-month old jaguar, abandoned at birth, owls, alligator, iguana, and more. Our friends, who visited earlier, held baby sloths housed in the nursery run by Yissell. Lynne cared for the jaguar in her own home when it was a small cub. Animals are reintroduced into the wild whenever possible. APPC is a wildlife rescue NGO that was responsible for relocating the many wild animals displaced with the building of the new canal. Reservations are taken at the tour desk at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort and a shuttle picks you up in the lobby. The admission donation is only $7 and the proceeds from your visit go directly to the animals' care. Our visit here was one of the BEST things I've done in Panama and I will take all my visitors there! Don't miss it. See more..
4.5 Indigenes Embera (25 reviews)
- Great experience !
Spent More than 3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

They are obviously set up to make money from the tourist trade, but that in no way detracted from this visit. We were welcomed by the Chief of the village and introduced to his wife, then he told us through an interpreter about his village and their way of life. Afterwards, we were free to walk through the village or look at the displays each family had of baskets and woodcarvings for sale. The baskets are handmade in the village, and are very beautiful, but they are expensive. The villagers will bargain to a limited extent, but remember that the money they make supports the village. The villiager willingly pose for photos and, unlike many places, don’t ask to be paid to do so. See more..
4.5 La Granja Campo Y Aventura (24 reviews)
- Great Zip Line experience over Lake Gatun
Sightseeing Tours

We did the Canopy Zip Line at la Granja - over lake Gatun. Lots of fun and very professionally executed. Bring some water though ! See more..
4.5 Gamboa Sloth Sanctuary (24 reviews)
- Great experience
Nature & Wildlife Tours

We really loved this tour. The cost was $47 total for both me and my husband. Others have complained that it is overpriced, but we found it very much worth our money. The tour includes a guide for the frog terrarium, butterfly enclosure, some of the botanical gardens and the sloths. My only complaint would be about the website. We never could figure out how to book a reservation on their site, and nobody ever answered the phone when we called. We were staying up the road a bit (not at The Gamboa Resort). For $5, we took an Uber from Summit Golf Resort to Gamboa. We just walked in, walked up to the desk and accidentally happened to walk in at the right time. We were on a tour 15 min later—total luck on our part. However, I did notice the resort has large murals in the lobby with all the different tours and times on them. That would be excellent info to post on the website somewhere. I took pics of the murals and will post them here. Overall, a very positive experience for us. See more..
4.5 Scubapanama (24 reviews)
- A new diving adventure
Scuba & Snorkelling

My wife was out of town so I decide on a little dive vacation for myself. I had a great time, everyone was so helpful and friendly. The dive master / instructor Raphael was fantastic. We did 5 dives in the 2 days and everyone was spectacular. I know I’ll be back. See more..
4.5 Atlantic Bridge (17 reviews)
- Impressive structure
Bridges

The bridge is a very impressive structure stretching over the Panama Canal near Colon. We sailed under the bridge as we entered the Canal and we also crossed it from the Qua Clara Visitor Centre, before doubling-back and heading to the port of Colon. For me the style of the bridge is reminiscent of the new Forth Road Bridge in Scotland. See more..
4.5 The Galeta Marine Laboratory (12 reviews)
- Local guide to local ecology - education and entertainment all in one.
Educational sites

We toured STRI's Galeta Marine Laboratory with Gabriel Thomas. He was pleasant, knowledgable, and rightfully proud of the work they do at Galeta. Although the conditions were not optimal - recent storms left the water cloudy with silt and rain and wind were a challenge - Gabriel was happy to show us all the facilities. He showed us how they clean the turtles, he helped my son touch a sea urchin and other sea animals. We also saw the different species of mangroves. It was an amazing experience to drive just down the road from the Zona Libre in Colon to discover this gem. See more..