PORTOBELO is about an hour and 20 minutes unless you stop off for a swim at the black sand Maria Chiquita beach which has changing facilities or the white sand Playa Langosta beach.

From its commercial demise when the isthmus became independent from Spain in 1821, until a few years ago, Portobelo, the Spanish Main’s richest treasure port, mouldered, a roadless fishing village with an annual flicker of life for the Black Christ celebration (still held each year on October 21 in the ancient Portobelo Cathedral).The ruins of Portobelo–an easy drive from Colon, with beaches and restaurants along the way.

Now, approached by an excellent highway, the Spanish Main, albeit time-weary, is there for all to capture single-handed... or in alliance with a tourist cab driver.

Courtesy of www.focuspublicationsint.com