In 1502, when Christopher Columbus was searching for the passage route he longed for between the Atlantic and the Pacific on his fourth voyage to America, he landed on the coast of what is now Panama in a sheltered cove he christened "Portobelo", meaning "beautiful harbour". Portobelo is approximately 50 km to the east of Colon. The harbour entrance is enclosed by three large stone fortresses. The Spanish forts, the tollhouse, a Spanish canon and the treasure room in which the Peruvian gold is kept, are particularly worth seeing.

Tips for excursions

Excursion to Beto Carrero World

Beto Carrero is one of the biggest pleasure parks in Latin America. The numerous attractions include an overhead railway, rollercoasters, the Maximotion cinema, the Dinomagic railway and a free fall tower. Lunch is available in the park on request.

Trip to Blumenau

Coach trip to Blumenau. The city demonstrates European -- in fact, as the name suggests -- mainly German traits. The trip takes in a shopping centre, the church Matriz von São Paulo Apóstoio, the residential district of Bom Retiro, going past the Hering company to a German villa in the heart of Brazil! The next stop is the pavilion of the Oktoberfest with the opportunity to drink typical German beer, brewed in the local brewery. Lunch is served with traditional German dishes, and there is time to stroll around, go for walks, or take photographs.