THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Panama - page 177

Captain Jack's Canopy Bar and Grill Captain Jack's Hostel Portobelo 448 2009, cap-
tainjackvoyages.com . Tuck into Thai chicken curry, pasta or seafood mains (from US$12) on
the cool veranda, which offers nice views of the church and bay. Breakfasts under $5. Mon
& Wed-Sun 11am-11pm.
El Palenque Casa Congo, west of the Aduana 202 0111. A cheerfully painted Congo-
themed interior and an excellent terrace right by the water's edge, offering a small but varied
menu, from wraps ($7) to more substantial seafood dishes ($12). Part of the Fundación Bahía
de Portobelo's ( fundacionbp.org/es ) programme aimed at the area's social, cultural and
economic development. Wed-Sun noon-8pm.
Panadería Nazareño On the main street before the main square 6957 7088. This bargain
bakery is open all day and sells juices for under $2, tasty sandwiches from $3, cheap pizzas
and a delicious variety of fresh bread. Tues-Sun 7am-9pm.
Restaurante Arith Main road, before the church. Thatched and open-sided with wooden
beams draped with fishing nets, this busy place serves breakfasts and lunches of inexpensive
solid staples, including fantastic patacones . Daily 8am-7pm.
La Torre Main road 2km before Portobelo 448 2039. A breezy upstairs open-sided restaur-
ant preparing good, reasonably priced seafood - try the cambombia en salsa de coco ($11) or
almejitas al jingebre ($9). Daily 8am-6pm.
< Back to The Panama Canal and central isthmus
Parque Nacional de Portobelo
Bordering the Parque Nacional Chagres, the Parque Nacional de Portobelo covers 360
square kilometres of varied landscape around Portobelo. From Cerro Bruja (979m), the carpet
of rainforest sweeps down to a 70km wriggle of coastline, taking in coral reefs, mangroves -
home to crab-eating raccoons - and golden beaches, where four species of turtle come to lay
their eggs. There are also significant populations of green iguana. Deforestation was already
a major concern before the area was declared a park in 1976, but continued surreptitious tree-
felling is putting even greater strain on the park's scarcely protected and highly fragmented
natural resources. As yet, no trails or accommodation have been developed.
Puerto Lindo
The nicest place to hang out on the peninsula is Puerto Lindo , a small fishing village en
route to Isla Grande, its clutch of simple dwellings strung out along a sheltered, palm-fringed
bay, where fishing vessels and yachts bob nonchalantly in the natural harbour. It's become a
popular transit point for travellers heading to or from Colombia by sailboat (see Sailing to
Panama ) . The consequent increase in backpacker traffic has meant that - as well as a shop
selling basic supplies and a reasonable restaurant and bar - there's some inexpensive ac-
commodation , offering meals, tours and a fine spot for simply relaxing.