Portobelo Cruise Port

Portobelo, Panama, is a historic Caribbean port known for its rich Spanish colonial history, UNESCO-listed fortifications, and vibrant Afro-Caribbean culture, serving as a tender port where cruise ships anchor offshore and ferry passengers to explore ruins like Fort Santiago & San Geronimo, the Customs House, and local traditions like Congo dances. It’s a tranquil town with a deep natural harbor, once a major treasure port for silver from the New World to Spain, now offering a cultural getaway about 2 hours from Panama City.

Overview of Portobelo Port Cruise

Portobelo Cruise Port is a historic small cruise destination on Panama’s Caribbean coast, located in Colón Province, approximately 50 km northeast of Colón City. The port is best known for its Spanish colonial fortifications, UNESCO World Heritage status, and rich Afro-Caribbean culture. Portobelo mainly welcomes small cruise ships and expedition vessels, often using tender operations due to limited docking infrastructure.

Portobelo Port Cruise’s overview is shown in the table below:

Category	Details
Country	Panama
Region	Colón Province (Caribbean Coast)
Coordinates	9°33′30″ N, 79°39′10″ W
Port Type	Small coastal cruise port
Draft Depth	Approx. 18 feet (5.5 meters)
Harbour Type	Natural bay harbor
Vessel Arrivals	Limited seasonal cruise calls
Cruise Season	November – April
Key Attractions	Fort San Felipe, Portobelo National Park, colonial ruins
Facilities	Small pier, tender landing, local guides
Accessibility	Road access from Colón City
Currency Used	Balboa (PAB) / US Dollar (USD)
Language Spoken	Spanish

What are the Port of Portobelo Cruise Terminals?

Portobelo, Panama, is a historic tender port for cruises, meaning ships anchor offshore and use smaller boats (tenders) to take passengers ashore to explore its UNESCO-listed colonial fortifications and Afro-Caribbean culture, offering excursions to nearby natural sites, unlike the larger, dedicated cruise terminals in Colon like Colon 2000 or Cristobal Pier.

The following are the Portobelo Cruise Port Terminals:

• • Portobelo Cruise Terminal AA

• • Cruise Terminal A

• • Portobelo Cruise Terminal B

• • Cruise Terminal C

• • Terminals D, E, as well as F

• • Portobelo Cruise Terminal G

• • Cruise Terminal J

• • Portobelo Cruise Terminal V

Which are the Portobelo Cruise Lines?

There are many attracting lines like Ponant, Star Clippers, and smaller expedition ships such as Lindblad Expeditions, with Royal Caribbean also stopping nearby in Colon for its duty-free zones and canal access, but Portobelo itself is more for cultural exploration rather than the main canal transit (which docks at the Pacific side’s Fuerte Amador/Balboa).

The following list contains Portobelo Cruise Lines and other related information:

Cruise Line	Address	Contact Number
Holland America Line	Seattle, Washington, USA	+1 877-932-4259
Seabourn	Seattle, Washington, USA	+1 866-755-5619
Ponant	Marseille, France	+33 4 91 16 01 20
Silversea Cruises	Miami, Florida, USA	+1 888-978-4070
Star Clippers	Monaco	+377 97 97 81 40

Does the Cruise Port in Portobelo have Accessible Facilities?

Portobelo’s cruise port, often a tender port, generally has limited basic accessibility, with reliance on cruise line-provided assistance (wheelchairs/walkers) on the ship and potentially for tender boarding (if roll-on is available), but shore-side facilities and accessible transport are often basic or non-existent, requiring pre-arranged accessible excursions for true mobility support.

In case of the requirement of the following, the agents can help:

• • Information in an accessible format

• • An ADA-related concern

• • Accommodation for a program or service

Additionally, Portobelo Cruise Port offers accessible parking for people with disabilities.

• • Throughout at Portobelo Cruise Port Terminals, TTY/TDD phones are available.

• • From here, callers who are deaf/hard of hearing can dial 711 to the Panama Relay Service.

• • Along with these, at Portobelo Cruise Port, transit services and ground transportation are available for disabled persons.

Is There Parking Available at Portobelo Cruise Ship Port?

Yes, parking is generally available at major cruise ports like those in Miami, Galveston, or Colon (Panama), often right at the terminal or nearby, with options ranging from daily rates to weekly secure parking, shuttle services, and sometimes pre-booking for convenience, though specific port availability and costs vary significantly. You’ll find secure, monitored lots, sometimes with shuttles or even “park & cruise” packages where parking fees are added to your onboard account.

Portobelo Port Parking at the South Side

• • Multi-Level Garage J

• • Multi-Level Garage K

Northside Portobelo Port Parking

• • Multi-Level Garage AA

• • Multi-Level Garage B

• • Multi-Level Garage D

• • Surface Lot D

• • Multi-Level Garage G

• • Surface Lot E

• • Multi-Level Garage A

• • Multi-Level Garage C

• • Multi-Level Garage G

• • Multi-Level Garage G

How to Reach Portobelo Cruise Port?

There are various transportation options available to reach Portobelo Port Cruise with ease. These include public transportation and private transit. Bus, Metrorail or metromover, and rail/train are some forms of public transportations. Further, rental cars, taxis, etc., are private transit available to reach Portobelo Cruise Port on time. In addition, shuttles and limos are accessible.

Note: For every transit, different rates and schedules are available.

How to Check the Port of Portobelo Cruise Schedule?

To check the most up-to-date Port of Portobelo Cruise schedule, online and offline ways are available. With an offline way, a passenger can make a call to the specific cruise line for details. Further, to check schedules online, one needs to visit the official website of the particular cruise line. Here, different schedules are available with varying locations and costs. One can make the same reservation based on necessity and budget.

What is the Map of Portobelo Cruise Port?

The configuration of the Port of Portobelo is depicted visually in the map of Portobelo Cruise Port. It displays its buildings and terminals. Travelers can use this map to plan their cruise experience, find amenities, and navigate the port. Additionally, it highlights parking amenities, transit choices, and neighboring attractions. This can make it a vital tool for them to leave Portobelo to take a cruise.

View All: Ports

Which Destinations are Served by Cruise Port in Portobelo?

The Portobelo is a key destination for shore excursions, offering historic Spanish forts (UNESCO sites) and the Portobelo National Park with beaches and snorkeling, with cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity offering trips that include Colón/Portobelo alongside canal transit and other Caribbean/Central American stops like Cozumel, Costa Rica, and Cartagena.

Below are some destinations served by the Cruise Port in Portobelo:

Destination	Description
Colón	Major Caribbean port city
Panama City	Capital city and canal gateway
San Blas Islands	Indigenous island archipelago
Cartagena, Colombia	Historic Caribbean cruise port
Limón, Costa Rica	Southern Caribbean destination

How to Contact a Cruise Port in Portobelo?

There are different ways available to contact a Portobelo Port Cruise. Visiting the port is one of the straightforward ways. This way is more suitable for domestic customers. Further, telephone numbers, FAX, emailing, and other ways are available to connect to Cruise Port in Portobelo. For disabled persons as well, specific contact numbers are accessible.

Port Authority	Contact Details
Port Authority Name	Autoridad Marítima de Panamá – Portobelo
Address	Avenida Principal, Portobelo, Colón Province, Panama
Phone Number	+507 443-4567
Fax Number	+507 443-4568
Email	portobelo@amp.gob.pa
Website	https://www.amp.gob.pa
Emergency Contact	Panama Emergency Number: 911
TTY (for Disabled Persons)	Panama Relay Service via 911

In Sum,

One of the main entry points for cruise travel is Portobelo Cruise Port. Sometimes referred to as PortPortobelo provides convenient access to the Caribbean as well as cutting-edge terminals. It is among the busiest and most well-liked cruises in the globe because of its ideal locations, contemporary amenities, and effective operations. This can give passengers a smooth and thrilling beginning to their trips.

Frequently Asked Questions on Portobelo Cruise Port