Que Puerto Bello!
Bateria Santiago
Portobelo is located on the Caribbean side of Panama, right on the Atlantic Ocean. Christopher Columbus landed here in 1502 and is recorded as saying, “Que puerto bello!” (What a beautiful port!) and thus the name stuck as Portobelo.
Unique for it´s preserved remains from the days of gold rush fever and pirate attacks. Walk around Portobelo and you´ll see intact remains of forts built by the Spanish. There´s also a small museum located in the Aduana building, a large construction that at times was so full of gold they had to stack it up outside under guard.
The bay of Portobelo itself is a picturesque sight, the hills covered in dense green jungle surrounding the water specked with sailboats.
Christo Negro – Oct 21: Portobelo is most famous for it´s celebration of Cristo Negro (black Jesus). A statue found in the area around 500 years ago. People come from all over to pay homage, walking long distances carrying a cross or crawling into town while someone pours wax on them in order to cleanse sins or have a prayer answered.
Congo – Feb 12 – 17 (same time as Carnaval): Actually this festival starts much before this date. For six weeks leading up to Congo the streets fill with locals from up and down the coast. Congo festival basically revolves around an Afro-Caribbean face off dance which is a satire of the Spanish Conquistador’s. Another aspect of the festival are the diablos (devils), dressed in elaborate costumes they chase people within an arena hitting their legs with sticks. If you are hit by a diablo at any time during the festival you have the chance to get even on the last day when those who were hit are allowed take revenge. Definitely worth seeing, though I recommend keeping your distance from the devils.
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