Portobelo - General Info
Where is Portobelo?
The National Park of Portobelo is half a day’s sail away from either the San-Blas islands or Colón, at the northern entrance of the Panama canal.
Entry notes and cautions for Portebelo:
Cruisers have reported half sunk logs on the passage from Porvenir to Portobelo. Care should be taken around the Panama coastline for such hazards.
Security:
There are security concerns in this port for visiting yachts, particularly in regards to denghy theft. See Docking for more information.
Cruiser Highlights for Portebelo:
Portobelo is a small historical city, part of the Spanish Main (Cartagena/Portobello/San Lorenzo) and quite interesting, being visited by most yachts passing Panama. Portobelo was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502 and the city was established in 1586 as a Caribbean transhipment centre for the South American riches the Spaniards took back to Spain. Several ruins can still be seen today. The City is located in the southwest corner of Bahia de Portobelo and it is also the burial place of Sir Frances Drake, the 16th-century English explorer.
Position:
09° 33.18’N, 79° 40.50’W (entrance)
Last updated: April 2025
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Port Navigation
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As reported by the Caribbean Safety & Security Net – 21st August 2017:
An in-the-water but chain locked dinghy was stolen overnight. The dinghy minus the outboard was recovered the next morning,
There is a sailmaker/repair shop on the water a couple of houses north of Casa Congo. The owner and operator is a German guy named Rey. He fixed my sail and sail bag for a very reasonable rate.
I hear there is a good sailmaker in Portobelo. True? Contact info?
It`s definitely not possible to do pay for the canal in Portobello. You have to go to the Citibank in Colon and even there it`s not possible to pay by credit card. Use the guide http://www.noonsite.com/images/pdfs/panama_transit-without-an-agent_2014 mentioned in canal procedures and you will come through hassle-free. It` s really easy and not complicated at all and saves you a lot of dollars.
Diesel, gasoline and water can be arranged at Public Dock in Portobelo, ask for Tabito (mechanic), or call: 507-6003-7779