Nearby Activities
Things to do and see nearby:
The marina is close to San Lorenzo National Park with 14,000 acres of truly unspoilt rainforest. It is a short walk to the park entrance. The road is ideal for walking, jogging or mountain biking and much of it is shaded. There are several tracks worth exploring, especially Playa Diablo. You may encounter two and three toed sloth’s, troops of howler and white-faced monkeys, and abundant bird life.The 6 mile long road ends at Fort San Lorenzo.
Local attractions
Historical sites: include the Spanish Fort at the mouth of the Chagres River Fort San Lorenzo which first saw service in the late 16th century, and more recently used to house an anti aircraft battery in WWII. Other WWI and WWII installations abound. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/135/gallery/
Nature: there is easy access to mostly virgin jungle; birds, animals and beauty everywhere. http://www.sanlorenzo.org.pa/content/blogcategory/23/29/lang,en/
The Canal: even if you will transit its worth going to the canal expansion as well as the current canal visitor’s area at Gatun. http://visitcanaldepanama.com/gatun-visitor-center/
Colon Free Zone: offers some shopping opportunities: a huge international wholesale market place. Outboards, gold jewelry and liquor can be good buys. http://colonfreezone.com/about-the-colon-free-zone/
Fishing: its not uncommon to catch 100 bass I a few hours lake Gatun fishing is spectacular. Tarpon Snook and Bonefish can also be found in the Charges and Limon Bay. Game fishing: the Volcan reef about 30 miles from the Marina. Wahoo, Marlin and more.
The Smithsonian center for Marine Biology: at Galeta Island. A very long dingy ride, or a taxi from Colon to this reknowned research center. https://www.stri.si.edu/english/visit_us/galeta/
La Granja, San Judas, Cativa, Colon. Wildlife park, Kayaking, Canopy tours. Good for all those young at heart (and kids). http://lagranjapanama.com/
Embera tribal village. See a traditional pre colonial Village and their traditions. http://www.emberavillagetours.com/
Restaurants other than Shelter Bay: Please note all of those in the Colon area should be reached by Taxi or rental car. Do not walk around the central area of Colon city.
Hotel Melia on the Gatun Lake.
The welcome center, ACP Gatun Locks (incorporates a good restaurant)
Radisson Hotel, El recife, Café Libanese and Gran Café: all Colon 2000 Cruiseship mall area.
Getting to Panama City: Try the SBM Wednesday free bus in the low season leaving the marina at 08:00. Coaches leave for Panama City from the Colon Terminal approx every 15 mins. Costs little although you must take a taxi to the terminal itself and board the coach immediately to avoid hanging around one of more problematic area of Colon. A taxi direct to Panama City should cost less than 100usd. A train leaves the Colon sidings (by the Container Port) at 17:15 most days returning from Balboa Station (Panama city) early in the morning. Consider renting a car. Many options: Hertz, Budget, Ace, Thrifty. Perhaps they can be handed in at the airport.
Getting to the airport: Taxi to airport day and night: $120 usd (up to 3 people). If there is space in our employee van to the city leaving 16:00 (not always the case). Take the Railway leaving 15:00 from the sidings at Cristobal Port Authority. A scenic route close to the canal. Rent a car from the many options with agreement to deliver to a destination in Panama City or the Airport itself. If travelling light you could take the Coach from Colon to Albrook, Panama City: then a metro bus stopping close to the international airport (Tocumen).
Going for a weekend sail:
The Chagres River is little more than 2 hours sailing. Historically important and a wildlife reserve with 590 species of vertebrates. 35 types of reptiles that include smallish alligators whose eyes you will see reflecting at night. Fishing is superb.
Porto Bello/Playa Blanca 25 miles to a great historical site complete with bars and typical Caribbean rhythm! As a contrast, anchor nearby at Playa Blanca and enjoy white sand and solitude.
Further afield:
Bocas del Toro islands 210 miles West (visit Escudo de Veraguas a unique geological formation on the way). San Blas Islands 80 miles: leave at midnight to arrive at Chichime, San Blas, in good light mid-afternoon. Reef strewn and indigenous occupied area of great natural beauty, and cultural rarity. San Andres and Providencia (Ol’ Providence), go North to Colombia, old English spoken here, the pirates like the location!
Other Venues for recreation/ education:
Live music at the Country store in Balboa, Danilo’s Jazz Club in the American Trade Hotel and several small bars in the Casco Viejo area. Ancon Theater Guild for plays in Casco Antiguo – Bars restaurants and some history.
El valle de Anton, one of the largest calderas in the world, hot springs zoo, handicrafts.
Summit Park Zoo, a lot of the native animals including the national bird, the Harpy eagle.
Smithsonian research at upper center in Panama City and Barro Colorado Island.
Refuse Trash and Recycling
Used Oil: Our used oil tank is located on the north side of the street as shown in the map below. All oil, fuel and filters should be taken to the disposal site. Please empty containers into the tank and place filters in the drain tray. Oily rags and other material should be placed directly in the rash truck.
There are trash receptacles near the entrance to each dock. Please do not leave and oil or oily waste in these receptacles.
Items with residual value that you no longer need may be of use to members of your team, if you donate any items please stop in the office and let them know. We are very much welcome your generosity; however, for your security no one is allowed to remove anything form the marina with out permission.
Used batteries will be recycled advice or deliver to the Repair Office.
The Government of Panama requieres compliance with IMO rules regarding the disposal of certain waste materials. If you have materials, his must comply, please advise the office or your agent.
The Marina offers free pump out of holding tanks. Please schedule this with the office.
Biodegradable waste particular generated by cleaning fish should never be dumped in the marina. Please dispose of this directly in the trash truck.