COLON FREE ZONE SHOPPING TOUR

Colon Free Zone is the commercial hub of the Americas.  With more than 2,000 commercial businesses operating there, Colon is the second world’s biggest duty free zone after Hong Kong Free Zone, with the best geographical location.  The panamanian currency is the US dollar, the exchange rate is 1 – 1.  Even though the official currency is the Balboa, the US dollar is used in paper money as well as coins.

If you shop in the Colon Free Zone your goods are exempted of all taxes.  For your retail merchandise, the merchants at the Colon Free Zone will send it in-bond from the Free Zone to the International Airport.  If you are buying wholesale your merchandise will be send by ship, plane or land to any destination.

This is a day tour that includes:

• Transfer from your hotel to the PanCanal Railway Station.
• PanCanal Railway ride to Colon early morning – 1 hour ride.
• Guided visit to the Colon Duty Free Zone.
• Return from Colon to your hotel in Panama City in the afternoon by car – 1.30 hour drive.

PRICE: US$110.00 p/pax (min. 2 pax.) For groups or special arrangements call us for pricing.

Lunch is not included.
The availability of this tour is from Monday to Friday ONLY.  The Colon Free Zone is closed on weekends.

Recommendations:

• You need to bring your passport at all times to obtain a visitor’s pass.
• Use comfortable shoes because you are going to do a lot of walking, light clothes because weather is very hot and humid, and a snack optionally- the Free Zone doesn’t have any restaurant or cafeteria inside the complex.
• Credit Cards like Mastercard, Visa and American Express are accepted by the merchants.  Some of them can accept your Travelers Checks too, if not, you can cash them at any bank within the Free Zone.

For reservations or inquiries call us:
In Panama: 209-5657
From USA: (954) 282-8214
Toll Free (USA): (1-866) 390-3451
Email: info@colontours.com

Panama City to Colon Tour

The most exciting way to experience the City of Colon and its main touristic attractions.  Both Forts visited in this tour are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

1). PANAMA CANAL AND COLON FORTS TOUR

This is a day tour that includes:

• PanCanal Railway ride from Panama City to Colon early morning.
• Visit to the Gatun Locks at the Panama Canal in Colon area.
• National Parks visit:  Fort Sherman and San Lorenzo.
• Visit to the Old School of the Americas – a historic building located at the Sol Melia Resort & Hotel.
• Buffet Style Lunch at Sol Melia Resort or alternate restaurant (lunch is not included).
• Return to Panama City.

PRICE: US$122.00 p/pax (min. 2 pax.) including train tickets & all guided transfers.
Not included : national park admission fees and lunch.

2).  PORTOBELO FORT AND ISLA GRANDE BEACH TOUR

This is a day tour that includes:

• PanCanal Railway ride from Panama City to Colon early morning.
• Visit to historic Portobelo Fort in Colon.
• Lunch at a local restaurant is included.
• Isla Grande Beach (so get your bathing suit to enjoy the waters of  this beautiful Caribbean beach!)
• Return to Panama City.

PRICE: US$137.00 p/pax (min. 2 pax.) including train tickets & all guided transfers.

Not included:  admission fees  and lunch.

Already at Colon? We can pick you up and take you to the forts and Colon city touristic sites.
Call us for special arrangements.

Feel free to call for group discounts or special arrangements:
In Panama: (507) 209-5657
USA Toll Free: (1-866) 390-3451 or (954) 282-8214
Email us at:  info@colontours.com

If you are looking for business information about the Colon Free Zone we recommend visiting  Colon Free Zone

Colon 2000 Cruise Port is located in the Province of Colon.  It is managed as a private company.   The investment for developing this two colonial/modern Terminals and Piers was US$15 million.   The first Terminal and Pier called “Port of Call” was developed in October 2000 to provide services to international cruise lines.  Customs are located in the First Terminal.

The second Terminal and Pier is called “Home Port”.  It was developed in February 2008 but operations started in December 2008 as a permanent port for cruise line passengers.  The Home Port has its own duty free shop and has three different gates for passengers, luggage and cargo.   Parking lots with CCTV are available.

Colon 2000 Cruise Port is considered the most efficient port in Central America.  Deep-draught ships are welcome to dock.  The port receives more than 60 ships per season.

It has more than 50 stores including a business center.  The stores you can find are:  Supermarket, optical clinic, fast-food restaurants, perfume stores, liquor store, handicraft shop.

The average temperature in Colon is 80ºF all year long.  Don´t forget your sunscreen, hat, light clothes.

For reservations to visit Colon just give us a call:
In Panama: 209-5657
USA Toll Free: (1-866) 390-3451 or (954) 282-8214 or
Email us at: info@colontours.com

The Sol Meliá Panama Canal Hotel – 5 star Hotel
Built in the 40′s. 258 rooms overlooking the Gatun Lake and only 10 minutes from the Colon Free Zone.  Colon is a 90 minutes drive from the Tocumen International Airport. This hotel is surrounded by nature.

-258 Rooms with the Gatun Lake view
-Air Conditioning
-Cable TV
-Wireless Internet access
-Swimming Pool and Recreational Area
-24-hour Room Service
-Heliport
-Business Center
-Tennis court
-Casino
-Daycare for children
-Laundry service
-30 vIP rooms with butler, private check-in/out, conciergerie, open bar for 2 hours, Conference Room, etc.

For information or reservations call us:
In Panama: (507) 209-5657
USA Toll Free: (1-866) 390-3451 or (954) 282-8214 or
Email us at: info@colontours.com

Four Points Colon Hotel by Sheraton – 4 star Hotel
Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Colon, Panama is a modern hotel conveniently located within the Colon Free Zone.  It has 84 fantastic guest rooms well furnished for your comfort.  It is only 1.2 miles from Colon 2000 Cruise Port.

Check-In time:  3:00PM
Check-Out time: 1:00PM
-Air Conditioning
-Suites available
-Free high speed internet access in every room
-In-Room Safe
-2-line telephone
-Hairdryer
-Iron/Ironingboard
-Desk
-24-Hour room service
-LCD TV with Cable TV
-Data Port
-Coffee Maker
-Tea Maker
-Cribs available if needed
-Refrigerator
-Fitness Room
-Laundry
-Business Center
-Concierge Service
-Dry Cleaning Service
-Restaurants
-casino

For information or reservations call us:
In Panama: (507) 209-5657
USA Toll Free: (1-866) 390-3451 or (954) 282-8214
Email us at: info@colontours.com

Radisson 2000 Colon Hotel & Casino – 4 star Hotel

The Radisson Hotel is located in the Colon 2000 Cruise Port.  Is one of the newest hotels of the area.   Designed to please businessmen and families as well.  Its decoration is tropical and modern. The 102 guest rooms have spectacular views of the cruise port and the Lemon´s Bay from the balconies or terraces.  Great amenities.

-Air Conditioning
-High Speed Internet access
-Fitness Center
-Suites available
-Swimming Pool
-Voice Mail
-Coffee Maker
-Mini Bar
-Hairdryer
-Iron/Ironing board
-Spa services
-Cribs available if needed
-Cable TV
-24-hour Room Service
-Business Center
-Conference Rooms
-Restaurants
-Desk
-In-Room Safe
-IPod dock

For information or reservations call us:
In Panama: (507) 209-5657
USA Toll Free: (1-866) 390-3451 or (954) 282-8214
Email us at: info@colontours.com

Coral Lodge Eco-Resort, Colon, Panama

This is a totally sustainable lodge which cares about conservation of the nature.  It is surrounded by a pristine natural habitat of the Caribbean.  It´s a perfect getaway.  Located in the Colon province, 30 minutes by boat to San Blas – Kuna Yala.  This lodge has 6 over-the-water bungalows so you enjoy the astonishing view of the ocean and beach against the panamanian rainforest.

-Air conditioning
-King-size beds
-Spa
-Sundecks
-Hammocks
-Restaurant
-Environmentally safe Laundry service
-Scuba Diving, Kayaking, fishing, horse back riding, hiking activities, etc.

For information or reservations call us:
In Panama: (507) 209-5657
USA Toll Free: (1-866) 390-3451 or (954) 282-8214
Email us at: info@colontours.com

Sierra Llorona Lodge, Colon, Panama

This is a unique 494 acres jungle lodge located in Colon, Panama. This lodge is in the middle of the rainforest and offers 6 comfortable private guest rooms.

-Rooms with hot water
-Ceiling fans
-Private balcony with hammocks
-Suite with jacuzzi available
-Internet access
-Laundry service
-Swimming in a natural river pool
-Walking paths
-Bird Watching
-Camping
-Table games

For information or reservations call us:
In Panama: (507) 209-5657
USA Toll Free: (1-866) 390-3451 or (954) 282-8214
Email us at: info@colontours.com

Flights to Colon, Panama are available from Panama City.  Aeroperlas is the domestic airline that operates this route with small planes and the flight takes 25 minutes only.  It departs from Marcos A. Gelabert Airport (Albrook Airport) in Albrook to Enrique A. Jimenez (France Field) Airport  in Colon from 7:00 AM.

Another option to get to Colon from Panama City is a transfer service.  It is 1-1/2 hour drive in a confortable air-conditioned unit.  You can arrange an affordable transfer to the airport at your convenience.

The Panama Canal Railway Co. offers the TransIsthmus train service which is a very interesting way of getting to know Panama from the Pacific to the Atlantic.  It is a 1-hour ride departing early morning.

If you are planning to go to Colon for business or for pleasure just give us a call:

In Panama: (507) 209-5657
USA Toll Free: (1-866) 390-3451 or (954) 282-8214 or
Email us at:  info@colontours.com

The Colon Free Trade Zone is a commercial showcase for the whole continent.  Here, cutting edge electronics are displayed besides sophisticated perfumes and the international fashion most in demand.  Imports and Exports registered in the Colon Free Trade Zone surpasses 5 billion dollars annually, directed towards a market of more than 525 million consumers.

There are many elements that support the commerical activities from transport to commercial operations, 6 airports, 5 ocean ports equiped with modern cargo handling facilities, spacious container terminals, the Pan-American highway originated in Alaska, the trans-isthmus highway which extends from the Caribbean to the Pacific, a trans-isthmus railway, the Panama Canal which receives annually 12,000 merchant vessels from 75 different countries, which also are supplied by the providers that operate the Colon Free Trade Zone.

Additionally, it benefits from the activities of 120 banks from different countries that make up the International Financial District of Panama, more than 20 of them participate in the financial activity of the Colon Free Trade Zone from their offices and branches located within the Free Trade Zone commercial center.

For reservations to visit Colon and its Free Zone call:
In Panama: (507) 209-5657
USA Toll Free: (1-866) 390-3451 or (954) 282-8214
Email us at:  info@colontours.com

The Colon Free Zone is the second largest free trade zone in the world.  It is located in the center of the western Hemisphere – in Central America – in the City of Colon on the Atlantic side about 1 -1/2 hour drive from Panama City – Republic of Panama.   It has access to four ports – three in the Atlantic and one in the Pacific.

It is divided in two sites.  One is the showrooms and the other are the warehouses and storage area located in France Field.  The total extension of the Free Zone is 1.73 square miles.  Another showroom area is being built currently.

For reservations to go to the Colon Free Zone call:
In Panama: (507) 209-5657
USA Toll Free: (1-866) 390-3451 or (954) 282-8214
Email us at:  info@colontours.com

The Colon Free Zone was established in 1948 as a project to solve two basic needs at both the national and international levels.  The free zone is an autonomous institution, it became one of the pillars of the panamanian economy.

The existence of the International Financial Center, an efficient port infrastructure, airports, free circulation of the american dollar, an infinite number of tax incentives, and an agile communications network, are some of the factors that facilitate business in this region. Currently, about 2,000 businesses  use the facilities and services offered in the Colon Free Trade Zone for imports, warehousing, assembly, re-packing, and re-exporting a wide range of products from electronics to chemical products, beverages, tobacco, furniture, clothing, footwear, jewelry, and a variety of other products.

For reservations to visit Colon and/or the Free Zone call:
In Panama: (507) 209-5657
USA Toll Free: (1-866) 390-3451 or (954) 282-8214
Email us at:  info@colontours.com

In 1848 the United States of America incorporate The Panama Railroad in New York.  The next year a survey was done  in Panama and the Americans found hard conditions for the construction, like very heavy rain that sometimes lasted three days, very dense jungles, undependable workers and problems with the timber to be used for the construction.  Even that, the construction began in 1850.

George Totten and John Trautwine were the contractors hired for this important construction.  This train became a passengers train business.  Many ups and lows experienced this business until 1977  when the Panama Railroad was turned over to the panamanian government whether its bad conditions and almost bankrupted.   Later,  the government of Panama started a process of privatization and the railroad future got another chance to survive.
The Panama Canal Railway Company got the concession on February 18th. 1998 through approval of the Panamanian National Assembly and the transisthmus train started another era.

To experience the TransIsthmus train ride with the Colon Tour make a reservation calling:
In Panama: (507) 209-5657
USA Toll Free: (1-866) 390-3451 or (954) 282-8214
Email us at: info@colontours.com

The City of Colon in the Republic of Panama is the capital of the commerce in the Americas.  It is located on the Atlantic side (the Caribbean Sea) at the entrance to the Panama Canal about ninety minutes by car from Panama City.

According to history, the Americans who built the transisthmus train built the first shacks for the construction workers in a place that they named as Aspinwall.  But the government of Colombia  (Panama belonged to Colombia until 1903) rejected the name and insisted that it should be called “Colon” in honor to Christopher Columbus who discovered the land.  There was 38 years of controversy about the name of the city but finally when the Colombian postal department refused to deliver mail addressed to Aspinwall so that, the name was officially changed to Colon back in 1890.

Colon is a different town which is experiencing a renaissance specially on the cruise ship business.  New hotels and resorts have being built as well as four new port facilities and the re-built of the railroad.

The Free Zone is also located in Colon.  It is the second largest free trade zone in the world after Hong Kong.   The Colon Free Zone is an important attraction for tourists who want to buy from a wide variety of goods with tax exemption or foreign merchants who buy containers of merchandise to ship to their countries.

To make reservations for a Colon City Tour just give us a call:
In Panama: (507) 209-5657
USA Toll Free: (1-866) 390-3451 or (954) 282-8214
Email us at:  info@colontours.com