Availability
This tour requires minimum 2 Guests to operate. Solo travelers please inquire before booking.
We offer three departure times: 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM. Please select your preferred departure time during checkout in the Extra Items section.
We are sorry, this tour is not available to book at the moment
Colón Panama Shore Excursion – Isla Grande & Portobelo Tour
FROM COLÓN CRUISE PORT: Discover Panama’s Caribbean coast on a full-day Colón Panama shore excursion combining tropical islands, mangrove waterways and historic Portobelo, Panama. Visit Isla Linton, cruise through the Love Tunnel, relax at Isla Mamey and Isla Grande, and explore Portobelo’s colonial fortifications before returning to Colón.
This tour is designed for travelers arriving at Colón Cruise Port who want to experience more than the immediate port area. In one day, you’ll combine Caribbean islands, beaches and mangroves with one of Panama’s most important historic coastal towns.
Colón Panama Shore Excursion at a Glance
- Adult price: From US$129 per person
- Child price: From US$124 for children under 10
- Departure: Colón Cruise Ship Terminal
- Departure times: Approximately 8:00am, 9:00am or 10:00am, depending on the selected option and confirmed cruise schedule
- Duration: Approximately 8 hours
- Tour type: Shared shore excursion
- Group requirement: At least 2 guests are required for the tour to operate; solo travelers should inquire before booking
- Stops: Isla Linton, Love Tunnel, Isla Mamey, Isla Grande and Portobelo
- Included: Cruise-terminal pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transportation, English-speaking guide, boat transportation and drinking water
- Additional costs: Island entrance fees of approximately US$11 per person, lunch, additional food or drinks, personal expenses and optional gratuities
Table of Contents
- Colón Panama Shore Excursion at a Glance
- Colón Panama Shore Excursion from the Cruise Port
- Isla Linton Wildlife Stop
- Love Tunnel Mangrove Boat Ride
- Isla Mamey Beach
- Isla Grande Panama
- Portobelo Panama Forts & Colonial History
- What’s Included
- What’s Not Included
- What to Bring
- Important Information for Cruise Passengers
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Explore Panama’s Caribbean Coast from Colón
- Tour Cancelation Policy
Colón Panama Shore Excursion from the Cruise Port
Your Caribbean adventure begins with pickup at the Colón Cruise Port. Available departure options include approximately 8:00am, 9:00am or 10:00am, subject to confirmation for your cruise call.
From the terminal, travel in an air-conditioned vehicle to the boat departure point for the island-hopping portion of the excursion. The route combines tropical scenery, beaches, mangroves and history, making it an excellent option for cruise travelers who want to experience several highlights of Colón Province in a single day.
Please provide your ship name, terminal, arrival time and all-aboard time when booking so our team can review whether the approximately eight-hour itinerary fits your time in port. Your meeting instructions and pickup time will be confirmed before the excursion.
Isla Linton Wildlife Stop
One of your Caribbean island stops is Isla Linton, a tropical island known for its dense vegetation, coastal scenery and resident monkeys.
Enjoy the boat ride and look for wildlife around the island. Sightings depend on animal activity and local conditions and cannot be guaranteed. Follow your guide’s instructions and avoid feeding or touching wild animals.
Love Tunnel Mangrove Boat Ride
Cruise through the Love Tunnel, a narrow mangrove-lined waterway surrounded by tropical vegetation. The channel offers a different atmosphere from the open Caribbean Sea and is one of the most distinctive parts of the excursion.
Take in the overhanging mangroves as your boat passes through the natural channels. Access and boat movements depend on water levels and local conditions.
Isla Mamey Beach
Visit Isla Mamey, a small Caribbean island known for its palm-lined beach and relaxed tropical atmosphere.
Enjoy time by the water and relax on the beach. Swimming and snorkeling may be possible when sea conditions and visibility allow. Ask us about snorkeling equipment availability before booking.
Isla Mamey provides a beautiful contrast to the mangrove scenery and historic mainland stops included in the excursion.
Isla Grande Panama
Continue to Isla Grande Panama, one of the best-known island destinations along this section of Panama’s Caribbean coast. Arrive by boat and take in the colorful waterfront buildings, tropical vegetation and Caribbean scenery.
You’ll have time to enjoy the island and its surroundings before returning by boat to the mainland. Lunch is not included, so bring cash for food and additional drinks.
Portobelo Panama Forts & Colonial History
The excursion also visits Portobelo, one of Panama’s most historically important Caribbean towns.
Portobelo became a major Spanish colonial port and played an important role in trade between the Americas and Europe. Today, visitors can explore remnants of the town’s historic defensive fortifications and cannons overlooking Portobelo Bay.
Portobelo’s historic fortifications form part of the Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo–San Lorenzo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Walking among the old stone fortifications adds a historical dimension to a day of Caribbean islands and tropical scenery. The order of the mainland and island stops may vary according to conditions and tour logistics.
What’s Included
- Pickup and drop-off at the Colón Cruise Ship Terminal
- Transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking guide
- Visit to Portobelo and its historic fortifications
- Boat transportation to Isla Linton
- Boat transportation through the Love Tunnel
- Boat transportation to Isla Mamey
- Boat transportation to Isla Grande
- Drinking water
What’s Not Included
- Island entrance fees of approximately US$11 per person, payable in cash to the boat operator
- Lunch, additional food and beverages other than the included drinking water
- Personal expenses
- Optional gratuities
- Optional airport drop-off, unless selected and paid for during booking
What to Bring
- Swimsuit
- Towel
- Sunscreen and sun-protective clothing
- Hat and sunglasses
- Comfortable footwear or water shoes
- Dry clothes for the return journey
- Cash for island entrance fees, food and personal purchases
- Waterproof bag or protection for phones and cameras
- Your cruise details and the confirmed meeting instructions
Important Information for Cruise Passengers
Cruise timing: Please provide your cruise ship name, terminal, scheduled arrival time, all-aboard time and scheduled departure time when making your reservation. This excursion lasts approximately eight hours, so our team must confirm that the available departure fits your port schedule.
Schedule changes: Cruise schedules can change because of weather, port operations or decisions made by the cruise line. If your ship’s schedule changes, contact Tao Travel 365 as soon as possible so we can review the available options.
Group requirement: At least two guests are required for the tour to operate. Solo travelers should contact us before booking to check whether an existing departure is available.
Weather and sea conditions: Caribbean weather and ocean conditions can affect the order of stops, swimming opportunities and boat operations. Your guide and boat captain may adjust the itinerary when necessary for safety and local conditions. Wildlife sightings and snorkeling visibility cannot be guaranteed.
Ending your cruise in Colón? For passengers whose cruise ends in Colón, optional drop-off at Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is available after the tour for an additional charge. Select the airport drop-off option when booking or contact us for details. Provide your flight departure time and luggage details so our team can confirm whether the excursion and transfer fit your onward travel plans.
If you are staying in Panama City rather than arriving by cruise ship, see our Caribbean Island Hopping Panama tour from Panama City.
For more tours and destinations throughout the country, visit our Panama tours page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is this Colón shore excursion?
The excursion lasts approximately eight hours. Share your ship’s arrival and all-aboard times before booking so we can confirm whether the available departure fits your port schedule.
Does the tour include cruise-port pickup and drop-off?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off at the Colón Cruise Ship Terminal are included. Your exact meeting point and pickup time will be confirmed before the tour.
Are lunch and island entrance fees included?
No. Bring cash for island entrance fees of approximately US$11 per person, lunch and any additional food or drinks. Drinking water is included.
Can I swim or snorkel during the tour?
Swimming and snorkeling may be possible when sea conditions and visibility allow. Ask us about snorkeling equipment availability before booking.
Can I be dropped off at Tocumen Airport after the excursion?
Optional airport drop-off is available for an additional charge. Please provide your flight departure time and luggage details before booking so we can confirm whether the tour and transfer fit your travel plans.
Can a solo traveler join?
The tour requires at least two guests to operate. Solo travelers should contact us to check whether an existing departure is available.
Explore Panama’s Caribbean Coast from Colón
Make the most of your time in Colón with a shore excursion that combines tropical Caribbean islands, mangrove waterways, local beaches and the history of Portobelo. From Isla Linton and Isla Mamey to Isla Grande and Portobelo’s colonial fortifications, this tour offers a varied introduction to Panama’s Caribbean coast in a single day.
Reserve your Colón Panama shore excursion and experience the Caribbean side of Panama beyond the cruise port.
Tour Cancelation Policy
Please read our Tour Cancelation Policy before booking.
TOUR CANCELATION POLICY
Tao Travel 365 strives to deliver the best possible customer experience. If at any point you have a question or concern about our service, please call us at +1 (805) 826-3657 or email us at sales@taotravel365.tours.
The following cancellation policy applies only to day tours and does not apply to multi-day tours.
TOUR POLICIES
Due to the nature of our business, the logistics involved in organizing tours and high reservation demand, the following refund policies apply:
- A 100% refund, less credit-card processing fees, will only be granted when the tour was booked directly through www.taotravel365.tours and the cancellation is received more than 24 hours before the scheduled start of the tour.
- No refund will be granted for cancellations received less than 24 hours before the scheduled start of the tour.
All sales are final.
For bookings made through third-party platforms, including but not limited to Viator, Expedia and Airbnb, please refer to and follow the cancellation policy of the platform through which you booked.
If you are unable to attend your reservation, contact us as soon as possible. We will try to reschedule your reservation for the same tour or another tour when possible.
If you are not at the designated meeting point at the scheduled reservation or pickup time, Tao Travel 365 reserves the right not to provide a refund. However, we will always make a reasonable effort to locate you at the meeting point and contact the WhatsApp number provided with your reservation. We want you to participate in the tour and enjoy your experience.
CANCELED OR POSTPONED TOURS
Occasionally, tours may be canceled or postponed because of weather or ocean conditions, mechanical failure or other unforeseen circumstances. If this occurs, we will attempt to contact you and provide information about the applicable refund or rescheduling options.
For specific instructions regarding a canceled or postponed tour, please contact us. If Tao Travel 365 cancels your tour, we will issue a refund or offer to reschedule you for another tour, as detailed below.
REFUNDS
All sales are final. Refunds are not available unless a tour is canceled or postponed by Tao Travel 365, or we receive a cancellation request more than 24 hours before the scheduled start of an eligible day tour.
For eligible cancellations received more than 24 hours in advance, a 100% refund of the tour price will be issued, less payment-processing and convenience fees. If Tao Travel 365 cancels or postpones a tour, we will refund the amount paid for the affected tour. Service, payment-processing and convenience fees are nonrefundable.
To request a refund for a canceled or postponed tour, email sales@taotravel365.tours within two days of the tour cancellation and include the word “Refund” in the subject line. We will provide instructions for completing your request.
TOUR EXCHANGES
Tao Travel 365 does not ordinarily offer tour exchanges. In certain exceptional circumstances, such as a cancellation by Tao Travel 365, we may offer an exchange or rescheduling option. Availability is not guaranteed, and additional fees may apply.
To inquire about an exchange, call us at +1 (805) 826-3657 or email sales@taotravel365.tours.
Reviews
EXCELLENT
1165 reviews
Posted on Google
Malik DavisJune 29, 2024
This was the most authentic, Genuine and fun tour experience we ever had! Ali was an amazing guide that made us feel like we were at home and kept us laughing the entire trip! I would recommend him a million times over!Posted on Google
Jelisa FieldsJune 29, 2024I absolutely loved this tour! Ali was so amazing and personable. Besides the scenery, he is one of the main reasons we had such a great time. I felt super safe the entire time, and I would highly recommend that anyone doing the Portobelo tour to request him specifically. You will learn the history of the area and have an experience you wont forget!Posted on Google
Alice Lekesha CoverleyMay 24, 2024I enjoyed my tour. Ali was friendly, informative and a joy to be around. This was an experience I will always remember and would recommend it to visiting Panama!Posted on Google
Audi.2506 C.PMay 23, 2024Fue una experiencia inolvidable desde la llegada de Allí el conductor con muy buen sentido del humor, señalando nos todos los lugares importantes, al llegar al poblado de igual forma el guía Alberto con gran experiencia y muy amable, estamos muy agradecidos por elegirlosPosted on Google
Dave DartMay 13, 2024What a truly amazing experience! Mario was incredibly friendly and told us about the national parks as we drove through/near them (Parque Nacional Camino de Cruces, Parque Nacional Soberanía, and Parque Nacional Chagres). We made great time from Panama City to the outskirts of Colon, then turned up the coast and went to Portobelo. On many tours, the drive is boring and just a necessary means to an end. But this drive was spectacular. In Portobelo Mario gave us a tour of the two fortress ruins and told us about the history of the place. We then drove on to the pier at La Guaira where we met Captain Juan and set out on the beautiful Caribbean waters. First stop was Isla Mamay where we got up close with a howler monkey. Really cool! From there we motored over to Isla Linton and took a dip in the "natural swimming pool" formed by a break in the mangroves. Crystal clear calm water, small fish swimming around you, and beautiful soft sand. We played in the water for a while before moving on to tour the rest of the mangrove area. As we entered the natural tunnel where the tops of the mangroves and bushes grow together over the channel, we saw birds, a racoon, and a sloth enjoying siesta time. Shortly after that we arrived at a small island with shallow warm water, rocky/sandy beach, and a little bar serving cold beer and cocktails. Mario rounded up our reserved chairs and we enjoyed a super relaxing time in the shade of palm trees and refreshing water. After an hour or so Captain Juan took us to our lunch spot on Isla Grande. El Coral is an unassuming little restaurant run by friendly locals and serving some truly great Panamanian seafood specialties. Platanos stuffed with shrimp, fish, and spices for a starter (along with a frosty frozen margarita). Grilled fresh fish with garlic sauce and perfectly fried yucca fries for the main. So good! We then walked around the corner to Playa Isla Grande where we had reserved chairs in the shade and beautiful cool water on the soft sand beach. After a couple of hours we rinsed off and met Captain Juan for the ride back to port. Mario stopped a couple of times on the drive back for some great photo ops. The ride home was pretty quiet - because we were all exhausted after such a great day.Posted on Google
Mark DeNinnoApril 9, 2024What a great day, and Mario was just terrific. Drove us to the dock and we stopped and got a history lesson about Portobello. He was friendly and knowledgeable. A great tour guide. The boat captain did a great job we had a great time.Posted on Tripadvisor
HappyFamily43082April 1, 2024Verified
Private Tour Was Worth It We booked directly through TAO for a private tour with Mario. Mario provided excellent information and answered our questions about Panamanian life. Our first stop was to visit the monkey islands on Lake Gatum. We did not see any monkeys on the first few islands, but we were successful. My son was able to feed them from his hands with bananas provided by Mario. The other boats visiting the islands had up to 20 guests who were only able to watch a guide feed the monkeys; our experience was so much better! Next, we visited the Agua Clara Locks, which were very interesting. Compared the the Miraflores, the Locks are relatively uncrowded. After stopping at the main visitor center, Mario took us to another stop to see the old bridge. Unfortunately, Fort San Lorenzo was closed for Good Friday, but Mario was able to take us to the mouth of the Chagres River so that we could still see the fort from a distance. We were hungry by mid-day, and he stopped to let us buy snacks. This was a fun day away from Panama City.Posted on TripadvisorHappyFamily43082April 1, 2024Don't Miss Seeing the Caribbean We booked directly through TAO. Communication was efficient. We did not realize this would be a private tour. Our tour guide, Ana, was terrific. She's a proud Panamanian who loves to show off her beautiful country. She provided knowledgeable commentary throughout the tour. Her SUV was comfortable for four guests. Our first stop in Portobelo was limited as a movie was being filmed at one of the forts. The island stops were interesting. We brought snorkeling gear, although Isla Moray has a very shallow reef. Lunch on Isla Grande was good, but the pina coladas were excellent!Posted on Google
Trevor SeifriedMarch 31, 2024Did the Isla Grande Caribbean tour with Mario. Was quite fun, and well organized. Car ride was a bit long (~2 hours), but we knew that up front and Mario kept us very comfortable. Saw monkeys, sloths and the mangrove "Tunnel of Love" was beautiful. Also takes you a seemingly underappreciated, but very well preserved site where Panama's first economic fort was built (c/w the original cannons). Highly recommend.Posted on Google
Edwin CespedesMarch 18, 2024Desde el primer contacto por la pagina web, todo fue muy sencillo, rápido y profesional. Ya en Panamá muy puntuales y todo resulto en logística tal como se prometió. Pero la experiencia de convivir con los lugareños, su trato, amabilidad, transparencia, calidez, fue genial. El lugar espectacular, de hecho vamos a repetirlo, hemos contagiado a nuestros amigos marrando la experiencia.Load more
