Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Zona Libre occupies the southeastern corner of the city while the cruise-ship port,
Colón 2000, is located just north of it. If you turn left on Calle 13, you'll pass the passen-
ger train terminal, 200m before the port of Cristóbal.
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Zona Libre
Second only to Hong Kong's, Colón's free-trade zone is a huge fortresslike area of giant
international stores selling items duty free. However, most stores only deal in bulk mer-
chandise; they aren't set up to sell to individual tourists. Individual purchases are sent to
Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, where they may be retrieved upon a visit-
or's departure. To enter the Zona Libre, present your passport at the security office.
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Colón 2000
Only a decade old, this sterile shopping and entertainment sector geared toward cruise-
ship travelers sits on the east side of Colón. Though lacking in any Panamanian flavor, it
is safe to peruse and features a good selection of restaurants and souvenir shops as well
as a casino.
Sleeping & Eating
Visitors to Colón should choose a hotel with security in mind. Many hotels have 24-hour
security guards. Most hotels have dining options, which are also good at Colón 2000.
Meryland Hotel
HOTEL $$$
( 441-7055;
www.hotelmeryland.com
;
cnr Calle 7 & Av Santa Isabel; s/d US$44/55;
)
A massive stone building, this business hotel fronts an attractive city park in a compar-
atively safe part of Colón. Small tiled rooms with gold tones and wrought-iron furniture
have air-con, cable TV and hot-water bathrooms, though you're paying for security not
luxury. The restaurant saves you the trouble of having to leave the hotel at night.
Radisson
HOTEL $$$
( 446-2000;
www.radisson.com
; Colón 2000; d/ste US$119/169; )
Really you
could be anywhere, but this luxury chain hotel has the friendliest staff and the best digs
in Colón. Rooms are comfortable and sufficiently stylish, with minibar and flat-screen
TVs, and you can always let off steam with some laps in the pool. Big off-season dis-
counts are available.
