A Pirate in Portobello

Portobello

Portobello is located in Colon at the Caribbean side of Panama and was established during the Spanish colonial time. With the old cannons, ruins and buildings I totally immersed into the pirates tales and leyends.

Heading north – east from Panama City it is about two hours away by bus. The ride along the Caribbean side with all the palm trees and small huts has already impressed me. It felt like a short holiday for me.  We arrived on Saturday morning and slept in “Captain Jack’s hostel”.  The hostel was designed like a hidden pirate stash. Decorated with old guns, swords, skulls and ripped pirate flags the place was really authentic. On top of it, the hostel was located on a top of a hill from where we had an amazing view over Portobello. The owner Jack had the aura and appearance of an old pirate.

After we have settled down and stored our things, we took a small boat to an outer island and relaxed and snorkeled there for the day. With nobody else besides us there, we felt like stranded sailors with some rum left.

At about 5PM we headed back to the hostel, drank some rum and exchanged our adventures with Captain Jack. It was an amazing night full of fun and stories.

The next morning we had a most delicious pirate breakfast with bacon, eggs, fruits and a secret sauce made by Jack. Before we jumped on the bus back to Panama City we visited the ruins of Portobello. Standing by the ancient cannons I could completely imagine how the Pirates attacked the port city. After a day of ancient times, I sadly had to leave this port city.

 If you want to feel like a pirate and want to experience Portobello  where Francis Drake is sunken or San Lorenzo Castle where Henry Morgan first arrive Panama.  Contact us or visit our website www.ecocircuitos.com to find out more information.  Contact us directly at 1-800-830-7142. We are looking forward to organize a trip for you!

By Marc Vedder

A day in San Lorenzo National Park, Panama

In this Tour with EcoCircuitos, you will come back in your early childhood of the pirate world. Put on your boots and your pirate hat for the adventure.
Located in a rocky headline, 25m above the sea level and overgrown, Fort San Lorenzo Casstle dominates the mouth of the Río Chagres. The natural beauty of the caribbean, the view over the river and the lush forest are outstanding. The Fort San Lorenzo evokes the struggles of the colonial era between the Spanish and European filibusters.
San Lorenzo is one of the oldest forts and the best preserved of America. The first foundations were built in the late of sixteenth century to protect the Spanish ships, leaving the river, against hackers lured by the riches to Portobelo.
This fort is full of History. First the fortifications were attacked and demolished at the beginning of the year 1671 by the captain Joseph Bradley on behalf of Henry Morgan. He stays few times there, before sake the Old Town of Panama.
The Forts have been reconstructed two times. In 1678, more height, the fort was destroyed again in 1742, this time by Admiral Vernon. Rebuilt in 1761, he played a strong role until independence in 1821 and serves as a prison for some years.
San Lorenzo is located in the Canal area, belong to North-Americans since 1999, before being transferred back to Panama authorities
In 1980, San Lorenzo was even registered with Portobelo Fort as a UNESCO site heritage. Forty cannon would has been found on the site.
Around the fort, in the rainforest, there are many ecosystem and nearly one third of all the forest fauna of Panama.

This is a complete adventure day where hiking, wildlife observation and amazing history can be experience in one day. Ohhh and part of the experience includes crossing by car the Gatun Locks of the Panama Canal! don´t miss this in Panama.

By Lea Maillard.-
EcoCircuitos Intern

Find out more about possibilities to visit Fort San Lorenzo on our Homepage