Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ACTIVITIES AROUND PORTOBELO
Given the numerous reefs and scuttled ships in the waters round Portobelo, it is no surprise
that it's one of the country's top diving and snorkelling destinations - though you won't
get the diversity and quantity of fish that you can find in the Pacific. Popular dive spots
include a B-45 plane wreck by Drake's Island, where some still hold out hope of uncover-
ing the privateer's sunken lead coffin amid the encrusted coral; the varied marine flora and
fauna of the Three Sister Islands; and the labyrinth of canyons off Isla Grande. The town's
two main scuba companies are located on the main road on the left shortly before Porto-
belo; both are PADI-certified with good reputations. Two Oceans Divers ( 6678 8018,
2oceansdivers.com ) operates out of Coco-Plum Eco-Lodge , whereas Scuba Portobelo (
448 2147, or
261 4064 in Panama City,
scubapanama.com ), a little further out, has its
own lodgings.
For kayaking in the mangroves or hiking or birdwatching in the rainforest, contact Jason
(English- and Spanish-speaking) of Portobelo Adventures ( 6954 7847, portobeload-
ventures@yahoo.com ; or ask at Coco-Plum ), who charges around $40/person for around
six-hour excursions. You can also contract boatmen hanging round the main jetty by Fuerte
Santiago. A drop-off and pick-up at Playa Blanca , Portobelo's prettiest beach, reachable
only by boat, usually coasts around $40-45.
Twenty kilometres before Portobelo, and 4km up a dirt track along the picturesque Río
Piedra valley, Panama Outdoor Adventures ( panamaoutdooradventures.com ) hosts a
Canopy Tour ($45). Other activities include river tubing ($15) and horseriding , which
can include a visit to an Emberá village just across the river ($50) or a whole day in the
saddle ($85; lunch extra). You can hike in from the road or arrange a pick-up or transport
from Panama City, but should contact them at least a day in advance.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION: PORTOBELO
Most people visit Portobelo as a day-trip from Panama City (1hr 30min on public transport
each way), though there are an increasing number of places to stay.
By bus Take any Colón-bound express bus, getting off at the El Rey supermarket at the
Sabanitas junction (the last chance to get money from an ATM), where you can hop on a Por-
tobelo bus (leaving Colón every 30min 6am-9pm, 6.30pm on Sun; 1hr 10min). Buses take
about 20min to cover the 12km to Sabanitas and a further 50min for the remaining 35km to
Portobelo. At busy festival or holiday times, it's worth going into Colón itself to make sure
of a seat. All buses from Colón labelled “Costa Arriba” also stop in Portobelo. Return buses
to Colón leave from the square in front of the Iglesia de San Felipe every 30min; the last bus
is at 6pm.
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