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Panama is best known for its Panama Canal and there are specific cruises that make the Canal their central focus. However, since this lens is concentrating on specific Caribbean Destinations, the Panama Canal cruises will be the topic of another lens. Colon is the principal Panamanian stop of the Western Caribbean cruises.
Colon was established by Americans in 1850 as the terminus of the Panama Railroad and was called Aspinwall by them. It was built on Manzanillo Island which was linked to the Panamanian mainland by a causeway. Part of the island was drained to allow the erection of permanent buildings.
The population today has sizable South Asian and Arab communities living in the remaining prosperous areas of the city. The majority of the city's population are of West Indian and mixed mestizo-hispanic ancestry.
Since the 1960's there has been a decline in living standards in this city of 200,000 plus and drugs and other related problems have risen. However, if you stick to the regularly scheduled shore excursions, your experience here should be a pleasant one.
This lens is one of a series that the author is providing on over twenty cruise destinations in the Caribbean. Each lens will include general information on the destination, suggested shore excursions, and video and photographic illustrations where appropriate.
A Few Photos Of Colon by Stephen Conn
Suggested Shore Excursions For Panama
As in other destinations, you have a wide range of shore excursions that you can choose from, but you can only choose one or two shore excursions within the time you have available.
Remember that you can always see the rest on your NEXT cruise to Panama. I am listing a few of the shore excursions listed by Carnival cruise lines below. The full list of twelve excursions can be found HERE.
If you go to the Carnival Cruise Lines site above, you will be able to click on links for each excursion which will give detailed descriptions of each excursion.
The photos with the excursions below are from Carnival's site and are specific to their excursions. Other cruise lines may have different excursions.
Follow the links on the linked excursions to see the original pictures and a more detailed description of the excursion.
Aerial Tram & Ecological Encounter
5.5 hours The aerial tram gives you an overwhelming look at the beautiful plants and animals typical of Panama's neo-tropical forests.Embera Indian Village Experience
3 hours
Take this once in a lifetime chance to visit this amazing Embera Indian tribe, who live today much like they did when Vasco Nunez de Balboa first set foot in Panama.Grand Tour
5 hours Don't miss this opportunity to experience the world's most incredible ecosystems, some of the most amazing tribal cultures in the world as well as the eighth wonder of the world, the Panama Canal.
Panama Canal Tour
8 hours VTake this incredible excursion and witness the wonders of the Panama Canal. Everyone should travel the Panama Canal from sea to sea at least once. With this excursion, you can do just that. You will board a bus that will take you to the Pacific side, and get on a large ferry that will take you through the locks and cross the continental divide. View this marvel of man's technology and enjoy the scenery as you do. It is an excursion you won't forget.Panama City Tour
8 hours Panama City is the only place in the world where you go from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean in an hour.
Two Oceans By Railroad
6 hours This is a once in a lifetime chance to see two oceans in one hour by traveling the Isthmian Railroad, the world's first Trans-Continental railroad. As you travel on a track running parallel to the Panama Canal, you will not only get to see the countryside, including crossing over the intercontinental divide, but may be lucky enough to see some ships making the Panama Canal crossing.
Cruise Tool Box
"Know Before You Go"
It is always a good idea to know the basics before you leave on your cruise. The following links will aid you in preparing for your cruise. From currency exchange to travel warnings, it is all here. And, don't forget your passport. Never leave home without it.
- Universal Currency Converter
Check out the current exchange rates before you sail.
- Latest Customs Restrictions & General Information
Get the latest Customs warnings, regulations, etc.
- Foreign Entry Requirements
Different situations require different documents. Please become familiar with the specific document requirements for the country(s) you are visiting. More information on these documents can be found here.
- Travel Advisories
Travel documentation requirements and international travel reminders.
- U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings
Get the latest U.S. Department of State travel warnings at this site.
- Book Your Travel Here Or Research Options Further
This is my full service travel web site where you can research and book cruises, flights, car rentals, hotels, or even purchase travel insurance.
Facts About Colon, Panama
Colón is a sea port on the Caribbean Sea coast of Panama. The city lies near the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal. It is capital of Panama's Colón Province and has traditionally been known as Panama's second city.
Colón was traditionally located entirely on Manzanillo Island, surrounded by Limon Bay, Manzanillo Bay and the Folks River. Since the disestablishment of the Canal Zone, the city's limits have been redefined to include the former Canal Zone towns of Cristobal, Rainbow City, Margarita, and Coco Solo, as well as the former U.S. Army base of Fort Gulick.
Christ Church By The Sea In Colon
Current Weather In Colon, Panama
Current weather conditions in Colon, Panama
Local Pollen Reports
°C (Feels like °C)
Last update: 12/23/09 4:34 PM Local Time
Humidity: N/A%Visibility: km
Dew Point: °C
UV Index: (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: mm N/A
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: N/A From: Airport Conditions
Tonight
Scattered Showers
Low: 22°C
Sunrise: 6:31 AM
Sunset: 6:06 PM
Thursday
Dec 24
AM Showers
High: 32°C
Low: 22°C
Sunrise: 6:32 AM
Sunset: 6:07 PM
Friday
Dec 25
Partly Cloudy
High: 32°C
Low: 23°C
Sunrise: 6:32 AM
Sunset: 6:07 PM
Saturday
Dec 26
Partly Cloudy
High: 32°C
Low: 23°C
Sunrise: 6:33 AM
Sunset: 6:08 PM
How About Some Colon Souvenirs?
I Love Colon, Panama T-shirt Large White
Text on T-shirt: Colon, Panama. Our standard t-shirts are made of 100% cotton and preshrunk (ultra cotton heavyweight). We typically use Gildan Activewear but at times may substitute with or the brand name t-shirts. We carry thousands of t-shirts with sayings. To view additional t-shirts please visit our storefront on Amazon (DesignAProduct) and search for t-shirt. This phrase or artwork can also be purchased on beach, hand, and bath towels, and long and short sleeve shirts.
The "SHOPZEUS.COM" label is just a watermark in the picture.
Amazon Price: $17.95 (as of 12/23/2009) 
Colon It Looks Like Venice
Colon It Looks Like Venice
by Shorty&Slim
From the Album Going Down to Panama
Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 12/23/2009)
I Love Colon, Panama Long Sleeve T-shirt Large White
Text on T-shirt: Colon, Panama. Our standard t-shirts are made of 100% cotton and preshrunk (ultra cotton heavyweight). We typically use Gildan Activewear but at times may substitute with or the brand name t-shirts. We carry thousands of t-shirts with sayings. To view additional t-shirts please visit our storefront on Amazon (DesignAProduct) and search for t-shirt. This phrase or artwork can also be purchased on beach, hand, and bath towels, and long and short sleeve shirts.
The "SHOPZEUS.COM" label is just a watermark in the picture.
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 12/23/2009)
Panama, Colon mouse pad
This is a brand new custom made high quality mouse pad imprinted using the latest sublimation technology. This process embeds the image permanently and gives it a smooth surface with a crisp and vivid image. It is 8 1/2" x 7" in size and 1/8 thick. It has a non skid backing to prevent slipping. It will work with any type of mouse: ball, optical, laser.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/23/2009)
The Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a 77 km (48 mi) ship canal that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific ocean and a key conduit for international maritime trade. Annual traffic has risen from about 1,000 ships in the canal's early days to 14,702 vessels in 2008, displacing a total 309.6 million Panama Canal/Universal Measurement System (PC/UMS) tons.
One of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken, the canal had an enormous impact on shipping between the two oceans, replacing the long and treacherous route via the Drake Passage and Cape Horn at the southernmost tip of South America. A ship sailing from New York to San Francisco via the canal travels 9,500 km (6,000 miles), well under half the 22,500 km (14,000 miles) route around Cape Horn.
The concept of a canal near Panama dates to the early 16th century. The first attempt to construct a canal began in 1880 under French leadership, but was abandoned after 21,900 workers died, largely from disease (particularly malaria and yellow fever) and landslides. The United States launched a second effort, incurring a further 5,600 deaths but succeeding in opening the canal in 1914.
While the Pacific Ocean is west of the isthmus and the Atlantic to the east, the 8- to 10-hour journey through the canal from the Pacific to the Atlantic is one from southeast to northwest. This is a result of the isthmus's "curving back on itself" in the region of the canal. The Bridge of the Americas at the Pacific end is about a third of a degree of longitude east of the end near Colon on the Atlantic.
The maximum size of vessel that can use the canal is known as Panamax; an increasing number of modern ships exceed this limit, and are known as post-Panamax or super-Panamax vessels.
Other Caribbean Destinations You Might Like
Colon, Panama is only one destination on the Western Caribbean Cruise Routes. Although the specific destinations vary by cruise line, there are certain destinations that are common to most of these cruises. Several more of these are listed below.
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Caribbean Cruise Destinations: Belize
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Belize, the former British Honduras, is the only country in Central America where the official language is English. The Mayan civilization flourished in this area until about 1200 AD and there are still many archeological sites that reflect their a...
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Caribbean Cruise Destinations: Cozumel, Mexico
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Cozumel, Mexico is included in the Caribbean Cruise Destinations series because it is one of the main stops on most Western Caribbean Cruise itineraries. And of the stops in Mexico, Cozumel is the most frequented. It is an island just off the coast...
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Caribbean Cruise Destinations: Jamaica
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Jamaica is one of the largest Caribbean Islands, lying South of Cuba and Southwest of Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic). It was inhabited by the Arawak Indians at the time of Columbus' first visit. by Columbus. The Spanish controlled the isla...
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Caribbean Cruise Destinations: Costa Maya, Mexico
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Costa Maya, Mexico is included in the Caribbean Cruise Destinations series since it is one of the stops on some Western Caribbean Cruise itineraries. Costa Maya is a small tourist region in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, located between Cancun a...
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Caribbean Cruise Destinations: Cayman Islands
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TThe expression: "to hell and back", has a special meaning on Grand Cayman Island. Here, you can go to the small community called "Hell" and actually send a postcard back home postmarked from Hell. They say that a British Commissioner, arriving in th...
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Every time I do a new Caribbean Destination lens, I try to add some additional glitz and glamour to it. Sometimes I succeed. Sometimes I don't. I am even going back to add upgraded touches to the previously published lens. If there is something you like about this lens, let me know. If you think I overdid it, let me know. I'd love to hear from you.
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- SaraMu SaraMu Feb 10, 2009 @ 6:27 pm
- Sounds like a lovely place. I hope to visit soon!
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