Colon City Tour Exploring Caribbean Roots Food And Afro Culture

The tour was very interesting.

Plan to understand Panama and Colón history. Plan to visit 161 yr church and plan to make a needed donation. Be ready for the best fish and meal you will likely have in Panama!

A very long car ride to view an old church and hotel. A city neglected by time and a brand new port area. Not worth the time or drive.

Took the tour with a close friend and we really enjoyed this tour. Riggo is so friendly, knowledgeable and kind. There was so much we learned about the history and people of Colon. Left the tour with a vast amount of things to reflect on. I found the trip to the first church of Colon to be very insightful. I also found the history of the first hotel in Colon to be interesting as well. Loved our food stop for lunch🤤

Great time in Colon. Our guide Rigo had a great personality.

This was an absolute great experience. Rafael is from Colon so he was able to show us all around. Lots of knowledge from the area and we even met some of his family. Everyone there was so welcoming. We will definitely be coming back.

Authentic experience. Responsive and informative guide.

It was good learning the history of Afro Caribbean people and culture. The Panama Canal is a magnificent site!

We had the pleasure of having Riggo, a Colon native, be our guide for the day. We were lucky enough to see the local people of Colon and speak with some of them, visit some monuments as well as the oldest church! The food and atmosphere was very pleasant, as it's a mix of Afro Carribean influence. I highly recommend if you visit Panama City you take a day to visit Colon as well as it's an underrated spot and is only a 45 minute drive from Casco Viejo. Thanks Riggo!

It was a very pleasant experience! The guide was very knowledgeable on the history of Colon the food was great and if you’re lucky you’ll get Liggo as your guide!

This was an amazing experience! The guide was extremely knowledgeable of the city and very friendly great vibes and food was out of this world!

Our tour guide, Riggo, was absolutely the best you could possibly have. He was very engaging, friendly and extremely knowledgeable of Colon, the Panama Canal, the people, the culture and different areas along the tour route. If you book this tour, you will definitely learn a lot and really enjoy the company of your tour guide. Thank you Riggo for a terrific tour!!!

This was a very good tour of Colon...full of history and culture. It is a different and very important part and perspective of Panamá. Riggo, who is from Colon and knew a lot of the locals who we came across, was a great tour guide. If you want to know more about the Afro/Caribbean-Latino perspective and history in Panamá, then I highly recommend this tour. My Wife was not able to go on the tour, as she was not feeling well. I will be sure to set it up again, so that she can experience it herself. Thank you. E

The city tour was a great experience. The tour guide Riggo was very knowledgeable and answered all questions. It was great seeing the Afro Caribbean side of Panama.

My tour experience was great. I give the tour guide Riggo 5 stars. He was very knowledgeable and answered all questions. Hands down an awesome experience.

Excellent tour. This is for people who enjoy history and truth telling. Riggo is thoughtful in the tour pace, offers a taste of both what makes colon beautiful and also deserving of better economic support that elevates rather than displaces the people who make it Colon. We saw the market where we tried some fruit, observed the ships coming in, visited a historic church where the 82 year old leader rang the bells for us and shared history.... I could go on but you really need to see it yourself and spend with the locals.

The trip to Colon was fantastic. Our guide, Riggiberto was super knowledgeable. We were picked up from our hotel in Panama City on time. The trip to Colon was enhanced with Riggi telling us about the history of the railroad and canal built by Afro Panamanians as we drove from Panama City to Colon. Upon arrival to Colon we took a walking tour through the center of town and we're able to interact with several locals at fruit stands and outdoor market. Our trip in Colon was filled with so much history. We felt like it was a true call to duty to help the community. This is a great tour! Don't forget to have a real Panamanian meal in Colon while you are visiting!

Loved the tour. I learned so much about history and charged to the culture over time. My favorite part was visiting the church in the city and meeting the caretaker. The restaurant we went to was great. Food was so good!!

Our guide Riggo was very knowledgeable, professional and he communicated well. Our driver Neftali was also very professional and caring. My wife and I enjoyed this tour.

This was a very good tour! Rigo really taught us so much about Colon and Panamá’s history and AfroPanamanian Culture. We were able to interact with the locals and see how they live their everyday lives. Rigo speaks excellent English and made us laugh and feel safe. I would definitely book another trip to another location in Panama!!!

Our tour of Colón was one of the highlights of our trip to Panama. I especially appreciated learning about the rich history of the area and experiencing the Afro-Caribbean culture that has played such an important role in Panama’s story. Our guide brought the history to life rather than simply taking us from one tourist stop to another. The food was another highlight. I tried shark for lunch, which was delicious and made the experience feel even more connected to the Caribbean culture of Colón. As someone with Caribbean family roots, I especially enjoyed experiencing that connection through both the history and the food. If you are visiting Panama City, I highly recommend taking the time to see Colón. It gave us a completely different perspective on Panama and ended up being one of the most memorable days of our trip.

Riggo was our driver and tour guide. A Colon native, Riggo presented the past and present history of the city interweaving the impact and influence of Afro culture from many countries. He was enthusiastic and engaging at all times and welcomed questions. The tour which consisted of several stops was done at a good pace and he inquired about our comfort throughout the trip. It was a fantastic day! BTW, he speaks Spanish and English.

My solo tour of Colon was awesome! My guide Riggo was fantastic and really provided great knowledge on the are and it’s history. Being from there himself made his passion for Colon really shine through tour. He was also just an extremely friendly person. I highly recommend this tour to anyone solo or group looking to see and learn about Colon and take an excursion outside of Panama City. A definite 10/10 experience!!!

My solo tour of Colon was awesome! My guide Riggo was fantastic and really provided great knowledge on the are and it’s history. Being from there himself made his passion for Colon really shine through tour. He was also just an extremely friendly person. I highly recommend this tour to anyone solo or group looking to see and learn about Colon and take an excursion outside of Panama City. A definite 10/10 experience!!!

Our trip to Colon was very informative!!! Our tour guide provided excellent service and showed us the city with his beautiful history.

This tour was very informative and educational. Riggo was our guide and he was able to answer any question we had. My uncle and I enjoyed the city of Colon as the people were very friendly. I would definitely recommend this tour. And if Riggo is your guide, you will be in good company.

This tour was very informative and educational. Riggo was our guide and he was able to answer any question we had. My uncle and I enjoyed the city of Colon as the people were very friendly. I would definitely recommend this tour. And if Riggo is your guide, you will be in good company.

Our Colón City Tour with Riggo was one of the highlights of our trip! From the very beginning, he made us feel welcome with his friendly personality and genuine enthusiasm. His knowledge of Colón's history, culture, and landmarks was impressive, and he shared fascinating stories that brought each stop to life. What really made this tour exceptional was Riggo himself. He wasn't just reciting facts—he truly cared about making sure we had an amazing experience. He was patient, engaging, answered all of our questions, and made everyone feel like part of the group. By the end of the tour, Riggo felt less like a guide and more like family. If you're visiting Panamá, book a tour with Riggo. You'll experience it through someone who clearly loves sharing it with others.

Rigo is very knowledgeable about the culture of Colon. He explained the history and background of the people.

Our tour of Colon was fantastic! Rigo was friendly and knowledgeable about history of Colon. Put this tour on your list of things to do when visiting Panama!

After spending several days in Panama City, I was curious to see what the second largest city in Panama had to offer. So I booked with Viggo and I was picked up at my hotel for the 1:30 tour. Upon meeting him I realized that he was a people person and had very positive energy. He also spoke excellent English which made the approximately 45 minutes ride to Colon a breeze. Viggo and I conversed about his upbringing in Colon, the culture history and traditions of the people there. Before I knew it we were in the city. As we walked around the community it was clear that he was very well known. I felt completely safe the entire time. It was great to see the locals going about their day. The architecture, culture and people are reminiscent of New Orleans’ French Quarter. They are proud people with rich heritage, traditions and history who deserve to truly be seen. I was able to see the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal along with historical statues, churches and hotels. Since Colon is a port for cruise ships they also have a mall full of duty free shops. So there’s plenty of stores to buy from and a huge variety of restaurants as well. If you’re into photography there’s plenty of photo opportunities. The restaurants are all on the top floor and have indoor and outdoor seating. The mall features Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Italian, Lebanese and Panamanian cuisine. I chose Panamanian of course, enjoying my dinner outdoors overlooking the water was awesome. The food was amazing and the scenery was beautiful as well. Once dinner was finished we headed back to my hotel. My plan was to be tired for my flight that evening and I succeeded. I was very much satisfied with my experience on this tour. It’s my hope that the city of Colon and it’s people are given the opportunity to thrive. It’s such a unique community full of rich history, culture and tradition.

After spending several days in Panama City, I was curious to see what the second largest city in Panama had to offer. So I booked with Viggo and I was picked up at my hotel for the 1:30 tour. Upon meeting him I realized that he was a people person and had very positive energy. He also spoke excellent English which made the approximately 45 minutes ride to Colon a breeze. Viggo and I conversed about his upbringing in Colon, the culture history and traditions of the people there. Before I knew it we were in the city. As we walked around the community it was clear that he was very well known. I felt completely safe the entire time. It was great to see the locals going about their day. The architecture, culture and people are reminiscent of New Orleans’ French Quarter. They are proud people with rich heritage, traditions and history who deserve to truly be seen. I was able to see the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal along with historical statues, churches and hotels. Since Colon is a port for cruise ships they also have a mall full of duty free shops. So there’s plenty of stores to buy from and a huge variety of restaurants as well. If you’re into photography there’s plenty of photo opportunities. The restaurants are all on the top floor and have indoor and outdoor seating. The mall features Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Italian, Lebanese and Panamanian cuisine. I chose Panamanian of course, enjoying my dinner outdoors overlooking the water was awesome. The food was amazing and the scenery was beautiful as well. Once dinner was finished we headed back to my hotel. My plan was to be tired for my flight that evening and I succeeded. I was very much satisfied with my experience on this tour. It’s my hope that the city of Colon and it’s people are given the opportunity to thrive. It’s such a unique community full of rich history, culture and tradition.

Rodwrick was an excellent tour guide. Very knowledgeable. Nice sense of humor! It was well organized from the hotel pickup to Colon and back! Highly recommend this tour if in Panama.

This tour was fantastic! Our tour guide Roderick made this a memorable cultural experience for both my family and me. I would highly recommend this tour!!!

This was a great tour full of both interesting information and fantastic food! Our tour guide Roderick was amazing! He was knowlegeable, patient, and hilarious! I would highy recommend both him and the tour!!!

I had a great time with my guide for the day, Riggo! Fantastico! He was five minutes early for pick up (which I love), and although it was a solo trip, he kept the conversation going throughout the day with a good mix of his knowledge of Colon and overall pleasant and engaging personality. It was refreshing to be guided by someone whose roots are in Colon. While in Colon, he was greeted by many people as we toured everything from the first Episcopal church built for African descendants, to the north end of the canal, to Avenida Central (the most densely populated area for locals going about their daily lives). I understand that visiting an impoverished community may not be for everyone, but I never once felt unsafe. Be smart, dont be flashy, dress modestly, and you'll be fine. My perspective is one of a New Yorker, so I would say that if you are from the United States, be aware that your experience with the impoverished areas from the big city may seem mild compared to the financially challenged in a city/town like Colon. However, the lack of opportunity does not automatically translate into danger. Im sure that danger is there, but you wont be staring at it by simply going to market. While visiting the local produce/meat market, it was local business as usual, and conversation was there to be had. I also noticed many law enforcement officers sprinkled throughout Colon. We ended our tour with a visit to the very modern passenger ship terminal, geared primarily for tourists, where nice small restaurants and shopping are available . Being of Caribbean descent, this visit/tour of Colon was a part of the Panamanian experience that I could not miss, and if you have an appreciation for the Afro Caribbean/Afro Panamanian perspective, you shouldnt miss it either. Not exciting, but very real. Thank you Panama Adventures/Roderick y Mucho gracias Riggo!.

Riggo was an absolutely phenomenal tour guide and gave our group one of the best days of our entire trip to Panama. From beginning to end, he was knowledgeable, personable, patient, and genuinely passionate about sharing the Caribbean side of Panama with us. What really stood out was how flexible and accommodating he was. He took the time to clearly explain the history, culture, and significance of each place we visited, while allowing us to enjoy every stop without ever feeling rushed. The entire day felt authentic and personal rather than like a typical scripted tourist experience. Riggo’s knowledge and warm personality made the experience even more memorable. We learned so much about Panama’s Caribbean roots and culture while simply having a fantastic time together. If you’re visiting Panama and want an exceptional guide who will go above and beyond to make your day special, I cannot recommend Riggo highly enough. Five stars without hesitation! Thank you, Riggo, for an unforgettable experience and a truly phenomenal day!

What an amazing tour of Colón! You get to learn about the area and the Afro Panamanian history as well as having a super friendly guide who explains everything as well as talking to locals on the street and learning about the daily lives of the people! Rigo was soo nice and really treated us like family, 100% would recommend especially if you’re wanting to learn about the fellow Afro diaspora.

Roderick and Carlos were excellent. I would highly recommend this trip for anyone who wants to go to Colon. Roderick is phenomenal and would do the tour again!! We had a great time and we all loved it.

Our tour guide Riggo, was great. Very friendly knowledgeable and a great communicator. A Colon native, his pride, and love shines through. He really brought the city to life for us. We Loved it! We learned so much about Afro-Panamanian history, culture and experiences. The drive from PTY through the mountains is beautiful and mostly relaxing. I highly recommend visiting Colon with Riggio as your tour guide.

Roderick and Jorge make an excellent team. They are very knowledgeable, professional and operate with a great positive vibe! Their punctuality is refreshing and a major reason for their excellent customer service. This tour is an excellent value for the price. I strongly recommend this tour.

We had a great time learning about the history and people of Colon. The driver Ricky was on time, and a safe and hospitable driver. When we met Roderick we knew he was a good brother. He had good energy and helped us to learn about his beloved city. We had many stops during the four hour tour. I was able to get fruits that I wanted from the market, and we were able to see a variety of areas from church, schools, historic buildings and monuments. We really enjoyed the tour for the people, from the banter with a waitress to the singer who serenaded us in the mall. The best part of the tour was the food! My fish and juice was amazing and I will remember the flavor. I would recommend this tour for anyone who visits Panama and wants a well balanced understanding of the country.

Rigo was a friendly, knowledgeable guide who truly demonstrates his pride in being from Colon.

Colon is very small and historically and isignificant to the Afro - Caribbean culture in Panama. I enjoyed Ricco

The Colon City Tour was amazing. Our driver, Joaquin, picked us up on time and shared information about Panama on the drive. He is a very safe driver. Once we arrived in Colon we were met by our tour guide, Roderick. Roderick was fantastic! He is a native of Colon and extremely knowledgeable. He shared a great deal of information about the history of the city, culture, and changes that have occurred over the years. He even introduced us to a couple local celebrities. We visited all the major sites and a historical church with excellent informative commentary throughout the tour. The tour concluded with a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. I would highly encourage anyone with a desire see and learn more about Colon to take this tour.

Beautiful tour. The tour guide spoke English and Spanish. He really knew his history being a native of Colon. It was a nice tour of the monuments, churches, and the market place and being able to watch the ships on the Atlantic side.

I was the only one on the trip and the guide, Riggo tailor the trip to my interest. It was a fun experience and totally recommend it :)

My group took the Colon City tour with driver Jose and guide Roderick. Roderick is a proudly born and raised Colon citizen, and aside from showing us the sights of the city, included the rich history of the area. Jose and Roderick were both fun and interesting to talk to. If you want to experience a different piece of Panama, be sure to take this tour!

Rafael was a great guide. Very knowledgeable and made the trip fun. It was great to experience the carribean roots. Didn't go duty free shopping but I don't feel that I really missed anything because everything else was so informative. The food was delicious.