Colón's party in full swing
The city of Colón, Panama's Atlantic capital, will offer visitors all its Caribbean spice this month during its annual fair, scheduled March 23-April 1 at the grounds adjacent to the Colón 2000 cruise port.
Reflecting the city's strong Caribbean heritage, the fair organizers have also included performances by some of the country's top reggae performers. Folklore dance performances will also be part of the daily list of activities, including that of the Congos, a bizarre African-based dance style that originated in Costa Arriba -the upper coast of the province of Colón.
Colón's fair will be a grand party for all ages, with activities ranging from dog shows and horse riding events, to cattle and handicraft exhibits. There will also be an amusement park and lots of food and drinks.
A visit to Colón's fair can be part of a day tour in the province of Colón, which boasts a number of attractions. In Costa Arriba, the beautiful coast to the east of the city, visitors can find Playa La Angosta (a popular beach among Panamanians), the colonial town of Portobelo and its old Spanish fortifications, and the town of La Guayra, the point from which local boatmen offer transport to Isla Grande, a beautiful tiny island a few hundred meters from the mainland, which provides accomodations for all pockets.
Colón is also famous for its Free Zone, only bested by Honk Kong free trade emporium, where a number of stores offer visitors goods from around the world at excellent prices (Items purchased are sent to Tocumen International Airport, to be delivered before departure).
Panama City and Colón are linked by an excellent service of large, air-conditioned buses (some of which are double-deckers) departing from the National Bus Station, located in Albrook. The Panama Canal Railway Company also offers a daily passenger train service to Colón (Call 317-6070). We recommend visitors to take a taxi from either of Colón's terminals to the fair.
For drivers, Colón is between a one-and-a-half to two-hour-drive from the country's capital, along the Trans-Isthmian Highway.
