Major city · Panama
Colón
Visit Colón only for a quick stop (half‑day) to see the Canal end and free‑trade zone; skip overnight unless you need a safe plaza stay.
Colón sits at the Caribbean mouth of the Panama Canal and hosts the large Zona Libre free‑trade zone. Crime is high, so most travellers limit the visit to a few hours in the safe shopping plaza and the nearby visitor centre.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jan–Apr, Sep–Oct
- avoid May–Nov (rainy season, higher heat)
- Airport
- ONX
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Panama ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Panama's National Migration Service or a Panamanian consulate; proof of onward travel and funds may be asked for.
- Panama ↗Do not travel independently in the Darién; the UK and other governments warn against parts of it, and there is no road crossing to Colombia.
- Panama ↗Guna Yala (San Blas) is governed by the Guna people: visitor fees apply, and photography of people usually needs permission and payment. Book through Guna-run or licensed operators.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Colón104 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Colón, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the balboa (PAB), fixed 1 to 1 with the US dollar; US dollar notes are the paper money in use, with Panamanian coins.Panama-wide
- SIM or eSIMMás Móvil, Tigo and Digicel SIMs at Tocumen and in malls; passport required.Panama-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Panama City and most towns; drink bottled on the islands and in Bocas.Panama-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% if not added.Panama-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Panama-wide
- SafetyColón has a reputation for danger; limit visits to daylight hours and stay in the monitored plaza zone.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; basic outhouses on San Blas islands.Panama-wide
- Emergency numbers104 police · 103 fire and ambulance · 911 General emergency
- Sundays & holidayscheckCarnival and the November holidays close offices; Miraflores Locks open daily (check hours).Panama-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportONX Enrique Adolfo Jiménez Airport.
- Getting aroundTaxis are the main option; stay within the REY supermarket / Washington Hotel plaza area on Avenida Central.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Museum or sight ticketAgua Clara Visitor Center entry (foreigner)$15
- Budget bedHotel Sotelo double room, a night, per roomUS$40
- Mid-range bedHotel Sotelo double room, a night, per roomUS$55
- High-end bedHotel Sotelo double room, a night, per roomUS$80
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$30 · Mid US$45 · High US$70
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ONX Enrique Adolfo Jiménez Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Care
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Care
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Jan–Apr. Mixed: Sep–Oct. Avoid: May–Aug, Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jun (16 rain days), driest Mar (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Colón: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis are the main option; stay within the REY supermarket / Washington Hotel plaza area on Avenida Central. Walks are short (5–10 min) between plaza, cathedral and monuments.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
San Lorenzo Fort
cautionDoor to door: 30 min
Taxi or local bus, ~13 km (8.1 mi) west of ColónTaxi or local bus, ~8.1 mi (13 km) west of Colón
Ruins, UNESCO site; limited services, go in daylight.
Agua Clara Visitor Center
goDoor to door: 20 min
Taxi, 10 km (6.2 mi) south of ColónTaxi, 6.2 mi (10 km) south of Colón
Canal visitor centre, entry $15 for foreigners.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Sotelo
Downtown, basic rooms, $40 per night
New Washington Hotel
Casino resort, pool, bay views
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $30–45 excl. bed
- Mid
- $45–70 excl. bed
- High
- $70+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel Sotelo double room1 × 1 night × US$40 | US$40 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × US$30 | US$30 |
| Taxi from Panama City bus terminal to Colón1 × US$25 · check | US$25 |
| Canal Railway ticket (Panama City ↔ Colón)1 × US$15 · check | US$15 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$11 |
| Trip total≈ US$121 per person per day, bed included | US$121 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and rail passes excluded.
Prices of common things
| Bus ticket Panama City → Colón | $3.50 |
| Agua Clara Visitor Center entry (foreigner) | $15 |
| Meal (seafood soup) | $4 |
| Meal (roasted chicken with rice) | $1.65 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- High crime rate; avoid city centre after dark.
- Stick to the REY supermarket and Washington Hotel area for safety.
- Bus fare to Panama City is about $3.50; check schedule.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 104
- Fire and ambulance
- 103
- General emergency
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ColónColón
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police104
- Fire and ambulance103
- General emergency911
Embassy
US consulate in Panama City; other consulates in Panama City.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Panama City → Colón bus: about $3.50, regular service
- Taxi within safe plaza (5 km): about $8–12
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry
- Gracias — Thank you
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it?
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the restroom?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Colón. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jan–Apr, Sep–Oct · avoid May–Nov (rainy season, higher heat) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Use Panama Canal Railway for a scenic 1‑hour ride from Panama City (check schedule).
- Stay in the secure plaza area if an overnight stay is required.
Sources
Ask about Colón
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