Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Beyond the impressive gateway of San Jerónimo are the remains of the officers' quarters,
barracks and a guardroom.
If you're short on time, San Jerónimo is more complete and makes for a better visit
than Fuerte Santiago.
Mirador Perú
LOOKOUT
OFFLINE MAP
On a hill overlooking Santiago and much of the bay is a small but well-preserved
watchtower called Mirador Perú, which was built at the same time as Fuerte Santiago.
There are steps carved into the hillside to reach the lookout, and the views of the coast-
line from here are expansive.
Real Aduana de Portobelo
HISTORIC BUILDING
OFFLINE MAP
(admission US$1; 8am-4pm)
The handsome, two-story Royal Customs House of Porto-
belo was originally built in 1630 to serve as the
contaduría
(counting house) for the
king's gold. Treasure brought across the isthmus was recorded and stored here until it
could be placed on galleons and sailed to Spain. According to early records, no less than
233 soldiers were garrisoned in this building alone.
The customs house consists of two main rooms, which are now used as permanent ex-
hibition halls. One room displays dozens of purple velvet robes, which are placed on the
statue of the Black Christ every October when thousands of devotees descend on Porto-
belo to worship the icon. Among the donors are boxer Roberto Durán and salsa star Is-
mael Rivera. The other room contains replicas of Spanish-colonial rifles, sketches of Por-
tobelo's forts, 20th-century black- and-white photos of the town and a few dozen rusty
cannonballs.
The building's 2nd floor features an intriguing collection of photos and drawings of
the Spanish-colonial fortresses that exist throughout Latin America. Also, don't overlook
the bronze cannon at the entrance - it was recovered from a sunken galleon and bears a
Spanish coat of arms as well as the date of manufacture (1617).
SURFING IN COLÓN PROVINCE
One of Panama's least surfed provinces will make you a believer with its great un-
known breaks.
