THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Panama - page 162

restoration at the time of writing), the first Protestant church in Central America, built in the
mid-1860s for the railroad workers.
Four blocks east along the seafront, a statue of Christ the Redeemer, arms outstretched, faces
down Avenida Central, the city's main street, which is lined with monuments. The Cated-
ral de la Inmaculada Concepción de María , built between 1929 and 1934 with high, neo-
Gothic arches and some attractive stained-glass windows can be found three blocks west of
Avenida Central on Calle 5.
Along the waterfront of the Bahía de Manzanillo, on the eastern side of the city, Colón 2000
comprises a collection of shops and restaurants primarily catering to cruise ship passengers.
The Super 99 has an inexpensive café and an ATM.
Zona Libre de Colón
Tourists are allowed in on presentation of a passport at the gate but to purchase anything proof of passage out
of the country will need to be shown • colonfreezone.com
The southeast corner of Colón is occupied by the Zona Libre , a citadel covering more than
a square kilometre. This is the second-largest duty-free zone in the world, after Hong Kong.
With an annual turnover of more than $16 billion and a contribution to the economy of around
$1.3 billion, the Zona provides eight percent of Panama's GDP and is experiencing substan-
tial growth. The Zona Libre is basically a forbidden city for Colón residents unless they work
there - indeed many workers are bussed over from Panama City, which is a source of much
friction locally.
Inside the Zona, the contrast with the rest of Colón could not be greater - immaculate super-
stores line clean, well-paved streets and the only smell is of money and expensive perfume.
Most of the trade is in bulk orders; it's debatable how much of a saving you make if you're
just shopping for the odd item.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: COLÓN
By train The most comfortable way to reach Colón is on the fabulous Panama Canal Railway
train, which costs $25 one way to the Atlantic terminus, from where it's a short taxi ride
($1-2) or 10min walk to the bus terminal. If you walk, keep to the left-hand side of the road,
hugging the fence, otherwise you are likely to get mugged.
By bus Buses arrive from and leave for Panama City every 20min between 4am and 10pm,
though it's worth paying a little extra for the half-hourly express coaches (1hr 30min). The
bus terminal (on the corner of Av del Frente and C 13) is one of the safer areas of the city
during the day but you should still try to arrive in daylight.
Other destinations include Achiote , Escobal , La Guaira, for Isla Grande and Portobelo .