forts portobelo and fort san lorenzo, colon, panama
The ruins at Forts Portobelo and San Lorenzo are remnants of military forts constructed by the Spanish during the 17th and 18th centuries. San Lorenzo to protect the mouth of the Chagres River and Portobelo to defend Portobelo Bay and the adjacent settlement.
Both forts contain everything you expect to find at a 17-18th century Spanish fort, including cannons, moats, fortification walls, caverns, and lookouts. Their differences are limited to their geographic location, size, and formation.
Forts Portobelo & San Lorenzo – a view of the lookout that resides to the right of the entrance at Portobelo's first set of ruins. To its right are a few cannons along the fortification wall extending to the water's edge.
Fort San Lorenzo – restoration in progress. Behind the scaffolding, you can see the entrances to two of the caverns of the five caverns along the eastern wall.
At the time of this writing, Fort San Lorenzo is undergoing an extensive restoration project, expected to last until early next year. Despite their ongoing efforts, visitors have full access to the historical site and incur only a few inconveniences, if any. It does make picture-taking challenging, however.
The restoration of Fort Portobelo was programmed to commence in early 2023 and last into 2024. However, work has yet to begin. At the moment, the Customs House is closed, waiting for reconstruction.
An estimated $25 million was designated to restore both forts, partially funded by the Inter-American Development Bank.