San Jerónimo
Cannons to the sea.
Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz) — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz) — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz) — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Daniestrada01 — CC BY-SA 3.0
A deep, calm bay on the Caribbean coast ringed by green hills, once among the Spanish Empire's most important ports, where the famous Portobelo Fair gathered Peruvian silver and gold before shipping to Spain. Forts were built around it against pirates, and it was attacked by Henry Morgan in 1668 and by a British fleet under Vernon in 1739. The stone forts still stand at the water's edge: Santiago de la Gloria at the mouth of the bay and San Jerónimo in the heart of town, with thick walls, rusting iron cannons lined up towards the sea, powder stores and passages. In town, the old royal Customs House has been restored as a museum. The forts, with Fort San Lorenzo, have been on UNESCO's World Heritage list since 1980. The town is home to the Afro-Panamanian Congo culture, whose arts, masks and music are on UNESCO's intangible heritage list. It is quiet by day and the sun is hot on the walls, so carry water and a hat. Colón city itself has street crime, so do not wander there; go straight to the sites by car or tour.
Cannons to the sea.
At the bay mouth.
An old royal building.
Portobelo town on the Caribbean coast, about two hours from Panama City
By car or day tour in about two hours, or by bus via Sabanitas, without passing through central Colón.