Colon City Tour Exploring Caribbean Roots Food and Afro Culture
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Panama City, Panama
- 5 to 6 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
What's Included
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Private transportation
- Profesional local guide
- Gratuities
- LunchAuthentic Caribbean lunch stop – meal purchased directly by guests so everyone can choose from the menu
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
The guide will be meeting you in the lobby of the hotel, Airbnb, or building, holding a sign with the company's logo and the lead passenger's name
Itinerary
1
Colon
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
2
Paseo Marino
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Christ Episcopal Church
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
New Washington
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Port Colon 2000
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Colon 2000 Duty Free Mall
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Zona Libre De Colon (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- It will take 1 hour and 15 mins to get to the place where we are conducting the experience and another hour and 15 mins to bring you back to your hotel
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 109 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
The city tour was a great experience. The tour guide Riggo was very knowledgeable and answered all questions. It was great seeing the Afro Caribbean side of Panama.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for the fantastic five-star review! We’re delighted that you enjoyed discovering Colón’s Afro-Caribbean history and culture. Riggo will be proud to know that his knowledge and attentiveness made your experience memorable. Thank you for choosing Panamanian Adventures—we hope to welcome you back for another adventure in Panama!
The trip to Colon was fantastic. Our guide, Riggiberto was super knowledgeable. We were picked up from our hotel in Panama City on time.
The trip to Colon was enhanced with Riggi telling us about the history of the railroad and canal built by Afro Panamanians as we drove from Panama City to Colon. Upon arrival to Colon we took a walking tour through the center of town and we're able to interact with several locals at fruit stands and outdoor market. Our trip in Colon was filled with so much history. We felt like it was a true call to duty to help the community.
This is a great tour! Don't forget to have a real Panamanian meal in Colon while you are visiting!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience! We’re delighted that Riggiberto’s knowledge and storytelling brought the history of the railroad, the Panama Canal, and the contributions of Afro-Panamanians to life throughout your journey.
We’re especially happy that you enjoyed walking through the heart of Colón, connecting with local residents, and experiencing the city’s markets, culture, and authentic Panamanian cuisine. Your support helps us celebrate Colón while creating meaningful opportunities within the community.
Thank you for choosing Panamanian Adventures and recommending this experience. We hope to welcome you back to discover even more of Panama!
Loved the tour. I learned so much about history and charged to the culture over time. My favorite part was visiting the church in the city and meeting the caretaker. The restaurant we went to was great. Food was so good!!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review Adrienne ! We’re thrilled that you enjoyed discovering the history and culture of Colón.
We especially love that meeting the church caretaker was your favorite part. These genuine connections with local people are what make Colón such a special and authentic experience.
And we couldn’t agree more about the food! Caribbean Panamanian cuisine is a huge part of Colón’s culture, and we’re delighted you enjoyed it so much.
Thank you for choosing Panamanian Adventures and experiencing the people, stories, and flavors that make Colón unforgettable. We hope to welcome you back soon!
My solo tour of Colon was awesome! My guide Riggo was fantastic and really provided great knowledge on the are and it’s history. Being from there himself made his passion for Colon really shine through tour. He was also just an extremely friendly person. I highly recommend this tour to anyone solo or group looking to see and learn about Colon and take an excursion outside of Panama City. A definite 10/10 experience!!!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you so much for your fantastic 10/10 review! We’re thrilled to hear that Riggo made your solo tour of Colón such a memorable experience. His knowledge, passion, and friendly personality truly help bring the city’s history and culture to life.
We’re especially happy that you felt comfortable and welcomed throughout the tour. Your recommendation means a lot to our team, and we hope to have the pleasure of showing you even more of Panama on your next visit!
Warm regards,
The Panamanian Adventures Team
This tour was very informative and educational. Riggo was our guide and he was able to answer any question we had. My uncle and I enjoyed the city of Colon as the people were very friendly. I would definitely recommend this tour. And if Riggo is your guide, you will be in good company.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you and your uncle enjoyed discovering Colón with Riggo. His knowledge, passion, and willingness to answer every question truly help bring the city’s history and culture to life. We’re also happy you enjoyed the warmth and friendliness of the people of Colón. Thank you for recommending Panamanian Adventures—we hope to welcome you both back for another unforgettable Panama adventure!
After spending several days in Panama City, I was curious to see what the second largest city in Panama had to offer. So I booked with Viggo and I was picked up at my hotel for the 1:30 tour. Upon meeting him I realized that he was a people person and had very positive energy. He also spoke excellent English which made the approximately 45 minutes ride to Colon a breeze. Viggo and I conversed about his upbringing in Colon, the culture history and traditions of the people there. Before I knew it we were in the city. As we walked around the community it was clear that he was very well known. I felt completely safe the entire time. It was great to see the locals going about their day. The architecture, culture and people are reminiscent of New Orleans’ French Quarter. They are proud people with rich heritage, traditions and history who deserve to truly be seen. I was able to see the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal along with historical statues, churches and hotels. Since Colon is a port for cruise ships they also have a mall full of duty free shops. So there’s plenty of stores to buy from and a huge variety of restaurants as well. If you’re into photography there’s plenty of photo opportunities. The restaurants are all on the top floor and have indoor and outdoor seating. The mall features Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Italian, Lebanese and Panamanian cuisine. I chose Panamanian of course, enjoying my dinner outdoors overlooking the water was awesome. The food was amazing and the scenery was beautiful as well. Once dinner was finished we headed back to my hotel. My plan was to be tired for my flight that evening and I succeeded. I was very much satisfied with my experience on this tour. It’s my hope that the city of Colon and it’s people are given the opportunity to thrive. It’s such a unique community full of rich history, culture and tradition.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you so much for sharing such a thoughtful and detailed review! We’re thrilled that Viggo made your journey to Colón enjoyable, sharing his personal connection to the city, its history, traditions, and vibrant Caribbean culture.
We’re especially glad you felt safe and welcomed while exploring the community and experiencing the local food, architecture, and Atlantic side of the Panama Canal. It’s wonderful to hear that you connected with the spirit and heritage of Colón.
Thank you for choosing Panamanian Adventures and for appreciating the unique character of Colón and its people. We hope to have the pleasure of showing you even more of Panama on your next visit!
This was a great tour full of both interesting information and fantastic food! Our tour guide Roderick was amazing! He was knowlegeable, patient, and hilarious! I would highy recommend both him and the tour!!!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the fascinating history, vibrant culture, and fantastic food of Colón with Roderick. His knowledge, patience, and great sense of humor truly help make the experience special.
Thank you for choosing Panamanian Adventures and for your recommendation! We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure in Panama.
Our tour guide Riggo, was great. Very friendly knowledgeable and a great communicator. A Colon native, his pride, and love shines through. He really brought the city to life for us. We Loved it! We learned so much about Afro-Panamanian history, culture and experiences.
The drive from PTY through the mountains is beautiful and mostly relaxing. I highly recommend visiting Colon with Riggio as your tour guide.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that Riggo’s knowledge, warmth, and genuine pride as a Colón native brought the city to life for you. We’re especially glad you enjoyed learning about Afro-Panamanian history, culture, and experiences.
Thank you for highly recommending the tour and for choosing Panamanian Adventures. We hope to welcome you back to Panama for another authentic and memorable adventure!
Colon is very small and historically and isignificant to the Afro - Caribbean culture in Panama. I enjoyed Ricco
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words about this great experience and for choosing Panamanian Adventures as your go-to tour company in Panama! We truly appreciate your support!
My group took the Colon City tour with driver Jose and guide Roderick. Roderick is a proudly born and raised Colon citizen, and aside from showing us the sights of the city, included the rich history of the area. Jose and Roderick were both fun and interesting to talk to. If you want to experience a different piece of Panama, be sure to take this tour!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words about this great experience and for choosing Panamanian Adventures as your go-to tour company in Panama! We truly appreciate your support!
If you’re visiting Panamá, you have to visit Colón! I had a great time on this tour and learned so much history from Riggo, who was super engaging, a great communicator, and made the trip fun! I traveled as a solo female and felt incredibly safe. Riggo seemed to know everyone in town and it was really nice to hear his first hand experience as someone born and raised in Colón. This tour shares a really important part of Panamá’s history and culture, especially the mix of cultures that make up the city and region of Colón.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
It was truly a pleasure sharing Colón with you. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed learning about the city's rich Afro-Caribbean heritage, history, culture, and traditions. Colón is a very special place with a unique story, and we love helping visitors discover this important part of Panamá's identity.
We're especially happy that Riggo made you feel safe, welcome, and engaged throughout the experience. As someone born and raised in Colón, he is passionate about sharing his hometown from a local perspective, and your kind words mean a lot to him.
Thank you for choosing Panamanian Adventures and for taking the time to highlight the cultural importance of this tour. We hope to welcome you back to Panamá soon for more unforgettable experiences!
Warm regards,
Roderick & The Panamanian Adventures Team 🇵🇦✨
Excellent tour. Very informative and interesting! Loved learning about the culture of Colon and all of Panama.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words about this great experience and for choosing Panamanian Adventures as your go-to tour company in Panama! We truly appreciate your support!
Awesome guide, Riggo. Very passionate and knowledgeable about his hometown of Colon. Would recommend.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words about this great experience and for choosing Panamanian Adventures as your go-to tour company in Panama! We truly appreciate your support!
Roddrick did an amazing job teaching the culture of Colon. This tour was very informative lead by a local historian still proudly living in the community. We walked the streets of the city and saw where the locals shop, work, pray and learn. Thank you for this very personable experience.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words about this great experience and for choosing Panamanian Adventures as your go-to tour company in Panama! We truly appreciate your support!
This is a great way to see Colón and learn about its history especially if you are from the Caribbean. This tour indulges you in the culture and everyday life of the people of Colón.
Our tour guide Riggo was wonderful, very warm and friendly.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words about this great experience and for choosing Panamanian Adventures as your go-to tour company in Panama! We truly appreciate your support!
Very interesting tour. I learnt a lot about Colon and Panama from Riggo the tour guide who’s very kind and answered all my questions with detail and pictures lol. He made the tour very fun. Will certainly be returning to Colon.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words about this great experience and for choosing Panamanian Adventures as your go-to tour company in Panama! We truly appreciate your support!
Tour guide: Roderick
I used Viator to book a guided tour of **Colón**, and it was the highlight of my trip to Panama. This city is a fascinating "global chessboard" where history and modern geopolitics collide.
**Highlights of the experience:**
* **The Architecture:** Walking through the historic center feels like stepping back in time. Seeing the **Hotel Washington** (designed by the same architects as West Point!) and the crumbling French-style buildings was hauntingly beautiful.
* **Local Culture:** Our guide explained the story behind the vibrant **"Diablos Rojos"** (reborn US school buses) and the unique school system where students fill the streets in a sea of uniforms every afternoon.
* **The Human Connection:** Hearing the "Silver People" of Rainbow City speak English and share stories of the Canal Zone days added a layer of depth you can't get from a guidebook.
* **The Big Picture:** From the shift to **MSC management** at the port to the **Altos de los Lagos** housing projects, I left with a real understanding of the economic "Renovación Urbana" happening today.
If you want a tour that goes beyond the surface and explores the "soul" of Panama, I highly recommend booking a local guide through this app. Colón is a city waiting for its next great act—don't miss it!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words about this great experience and for choosing Panamanian Adventures as your go-to tour company in Panama! We truly appreciate your support!
I wasn’t interested to visit some dirty places, listening the guide talking about his past and present private.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that the Colón City Tour did not match your expectations. This experience is designed to explore Colón’s authentic Caribbean and Afro-Panamanian roots, including local neighborhoods, history, culture, and everyday life, which may differ from a traditional sightseeing tour.
We understand that this style of experience is not for everyone, and we appreciate you giving it a try. Your feedback is valuable to us as we continue improving how we communicate the tour’s character and expectations to our guests.
Our guide did a great job taking us around the city. He gave us history and added personal touches taking us by his childhood home. I definitely recommend this tour. Freddy our driver was great as well!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words about this great experience and for choosing Panamanian Adventures as your go-to tour company in Panama! We truly appreciate your support!
Our Caribbean roots tour in Colón was an absolute standout, thanks entirely to our guide, Rigo. From the moment we met him, his passion for Colón, its history, and its people radiated through every story he shared. He mentioned that we were one of his first all‑English tours, and we were genuinely shocked — he was that good. Clear, engaging, and deeply knowledgeable.
Rigo brought the city to life with context that felt personal and heartfelt. His pride in his community was infectious, and it made every stop feel meaningful rather than rushed or scripted.
A highlight of the day was the local restaurant he chose for lunch. The garlic shrimp and coconut rice were unforgettable — I’m still thinking about that meal. It felt like we were getting a true taste of Colón, not a tourist version of it.
This tour was the perfect blend of culture, history, and authentic local flavor. If you want a guide who genuinely loves his city and makes you love it too, ask for Rigo. He made our experience exceptional.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words about this great experience and for choosing Panamanian Adventures as your go-to tour company in Panama! We truly appreciate your support!
This experience was everything and more. Riggo was a fantastic guide; very knowledgeable and personable. We have heard all our lives about the contributions of the Caribbean people to Panama and to see it in person was a treat.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words about this great experience and for choosing Panamanian Adventures as your go-to tour company in Panama! We truly appreciate your support!
Took amazing care of us and gave us a tour of the entire city. His knowledge of the area, culture and the history made the experience even more special.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words about this great experience and for choosing Panamanian Adventures as your go-to tour company in Panama! We truly appreciate your support!
It great learning about a different part of Panama and seeing how the people of Colon live and go about life. Our guide was great!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words about this great experience and for choosing Panamanian Adventures as your go-to tour company in Panama! We truly appreciate your support!
Cramped space in car, only saw a small piece of colon (A few streets). No time to shop at duty free. Very dissatisfied with tour. Not worth the price.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for sharing your honest feedback. We’re very sorry to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations. We understand your disappointment regarding the limited time exploring Colón, the lack of opportunity for duty-free shopping, and the comfort of the vehicle.
We take these concerns seriously and appreciate you bringing them to our attention. Our goal is to provide guests with a comfortable, engaging, and worthwhile experience, and your comments will be shared with our team as we continue working to improve our tours and better align them with guest expectations.
Thank you for choosing Panamanian Adventures and for helping us improve.
This tour was extremely insightful and educational! Riggo’s deep knowledge, humor, and engaging storytelling made every moment memorable. I learned so much and truly appreciated his passion for his city and its people.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words about this great experience and for choosing Panamanian Adventures as your go-to tour company in Panama! We truly appreciate your support!
Excellent! Riggo the tour guide was very knowledgeable about Colon. He taught me a lot of history. He was fun and flexible. He’s a good photographer too! I have many nice pictures! I recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you so much for your excellent review! We’re delighted to hear that Riggo made your Colón experience so enjoyable with his knowledge, flexibility, and fun personality. We’re especially glad he helped you discover the city’s history and captured so many great photos along the way!
We truly appreciate your recommendation of the tour and Panamanian Adventures. We hope to welcome you back to Panama for another memorable adventure!
Great service provided! Riggo our tour guide was so nice and extremely knowledgeable.
The team was very professional, communicated well ahead of time. Great team.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that Riggo was such a nice and knowledgeable guide and that our team provided professional service and clear communication from the beginning.
We truly appreciate your kind words about the entire team. Thank you for choosing Panamanian Adventures, and we hope to welcome you back for another fantastic adventure in Panama!
Roderick, our tour guide, brought Colon to life for us. Carlos our round trip driver from Panama City made safety his priority with a timely pick up and drop off. The sites and story telling that Roderick shared made for a memorable tour. We also got to enjoy some tasty Afro Panamanian dishes at a local restaurant. All in all it was great bonding and learning with Roderick and the other tourists in our small group. Highly recommend this tour which is time well spent.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review! We’re thrilled to hear that Roderick brought Colón’s rich history and culture to life through his storytelling, while Carlos ensured a safe and comfortable journey from Panama City. We’re also glad you enjoyed the delicious Afro-Panamanian cuisine and the camaraderie of your small group.
Thank you for highly recommending our Colón City Tour and for choosing Panamanian Adventures. We hope to welcome you back soon to discover even more of Panama’s history, culture, and flavors!
Last month I had the pleasure to see Colon through the eyes of Roderick. The day started with me being picked up by Juan from my hotel in Panama City. We then rode through the countryside passing the Panama Canal to get to Colon. Roderick took me to the market to see the diversity of the people, fruits and treats that were available. It was eye-opening and reminded me of the markets in my home country. I was so happy that I was able to buy some fresh honey at a reasonable price. Roderick took me throughout the city teaching me about the history, the food, and the culture that makes up the richness of Colon. He educated me on how the Panama Canal brought people from all over the Caribbean to Panama. We went all around seeing key sites and I just kept on feeling like I was at home.
We checked out the outdoor duty free mall, I did not purchase anything from the shops but I did purchase some amazing mango by the mall entry. It was such a great tour and you could feel the pride Roderick has for his city. We then stopped by an amazing lunch spot, Santizo Kitchen, and oh my goodness the red snapper was amazing. The owner was kind and welcoming. Roderick also made sure I was able to get a picture with a Diablo Rojo before I left the city. I would recommend everyone to go on this tour because it was eye-opening and refreshing to see another side of Panama.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words about this great experience and for choosing Panamanian Adventures as your go-to tour company in Panama! We truly appreciate your support!
We had the best tour guide in the world. We have been around in many countries. Roderick took the cake hands down. He knows the history like the back of his hands. We had lunch at Portobelo restaurant. The food, the food, the food!! That Red Snaper with coconut rice and beans. Yummy, yummy for my tummy. We also tried the local soup that the locals lined up for. It was delicious! The places of interest we enjoyed them all. Especially the Church by the Sea. The caretaker is a character.🤣🤣❤️❤️
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you so much for this amazing review! We’re thrilled to hear that Roderick made your Colón experience so memorable with his incredible knowledge, personality, and passion for the city. And it sounds like the food was a highlight too—especially that red snapper with coconut rice and beans and the local soup! We’re delighted you enjoyed the Church by the Sea and all the fascinating stops along the way. Your kind words mean so much to us, and we hope to welcome you back for more authentic Panamanian Adventures! 🇵🇦❤️
From $105.00
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Colon City Tour Exploring Caribbean Roots Food and Afro Culture
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