Portobelo, Panama

Bateria de Santiago, Portobelo, Panama
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bater%C3%ADa_de_Santiago_en_Portobelo.jpg
Author: Kiam-shim


Portobelo is a port city in Colón Province on the Caribbean coast of Panama. It was founded in 1597 by Spanish explorer Francisco Velarde y Mercado and grew in importance from the 16th to the 18th century on account of the export of silver.

To safeguard their position, the Spanish erected a network of fortifications to protect Portobelo. Still, it failed to deter the Welsh pirate Harri Morgan (who was even made Admiral Sir Henry Morgan) from attacking it in 1668.

Portobelo was once again attacked and captured by the British in the 18th century, under Admiral Edward Vernon. The victory brought much acclaim to Vernon, and the name Portobelo appeared everywhere in the British Isles, including Portobello Road in London.

The British victory was shortlived. In 1741, the Spanish defeated Vernon in the Battle of Cartagena de Indias and took back Portobelo.

Today the town of Portobelo still has its Spanish-era fortifications. These have been well preserved. Together with Fort San Lorenzo, it was inscribed as a World Heritage Site of Panama in 1980.

Visiting Portobelo

You can reach Portobelo by bus from Panama City. Take the bus from Albrooke terminal. The journey takes 45 minutes and costs $2.50.

Places of Interest in Portobelo

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