amador cruise ship terminal panama perico island flamenco island amador panama
Panama, like Costa Rica, has ports on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Most cruise ships call on the Atlantic, but that could change with the completion of Panama's first and newly built dedicated cruise ship terminal on the Pacific. Below, I've included a brief description of each port.
If calling on the Atlantic, your ship will likely visit the Home Port and on the Pacific, the new Amador Cruise Terminal on Perico Island.
Panama Cruise Ports – the Carnival Freedom docked at Colon2000.
There is no port facility on Flamenco Island. Until recently, cruise ships anchored east of the island and ferried passengers aboard tenders to and from the island. But, with the christening of the new cruise terminal on neighboring Perico Island, cruise lines have shifted their operations.
The Flamenco Island Resort & Marina is home to Panama City's only Duty-Free store, several eateries (restaurants, ice cream parlors, etc.), commercial enterprises, and a marina. While a limited number of stores sell souvenir/tourism-related merchandise, it is more a retail center than a cruise port. Despite this, city excursions, e.g., Panama Viejo, Casco Antiguo, etc., may include visiting the Duty-Free store.
Generally speaking, the facility is welcoming. There is a relatively large, open atrium with public bathrooms, and you have terrific views of the marina, Panama City skyline, Ancon Hill, and the southern side of Perico Island.
For information on Duty-Free shopping on Flamenco Island, click here.
The Amador Cruise Terminal is a new, modern facility spread over 21 acres and Panama's first and only dedicated cruise port on the Pacific coast. Construction on the $165+ million project began in 2017 and entered service on May 20, 2019. One of its primary purposes is to serve as a home port for ships with itineraries that travel north and south along the Pacific coast. It can also accommodate any ship calling Panama when transiting through the Canal.
The terminal resides on Perico Island — north and in front of Flamenco Island — facing Panama Bay and the city district. It has two berths, capable of docking two full-size cruise ships simultaneously.
In front of the port, along the road that services the Amador Causeway, is a large commercial retail complex consisting of several souvenir/handicraft stores and eateries.
Google Map - Amador Cruise Terminal
The original Colon2000 port and mall still operate but receive few cruise ships, and it's better this way. The mall needs to be better maintained and has a low occupancy rate. There are a few souvenir stores, but the remaining businesses cater to the local community, including insurance firms, restaurants, ophthalmologists, electronic stores, supermarkets, and Subway. Overall, it's not much of a mall, and I only see a reason to visit if you need a supermarket.
Google Map - Colon2000 Cruise Terminal
The Home Port, where most cruise ships call, resides just west of Colon2000. Adjacent to the cruise terminal is the recently inaugurated and newly-built Colon2000 Duty-Free Mall. (On the home page, click the small four circles along the bottom of the photo for more views of the new port and mall.) Vessels do not anchor in front of the mall. It is a short walk from the terminal where you disembark.
The new Colon2000 Duty-Free Mall brings cruising to Panama's Atlantic coast to an entirely new level. It is a massive step in the right direction and a dramatic improvement over the older, adjacent Colon2000 mall and port, which now serves the local market.
It's open, airy, and spacious, with a wavy, stylish roof consisting of a white canvas-like rooftop and supported by steel posts — it has a tropical mall-type atmosphere similar to what you'd expect in San Diego or Miami. The attractive waterfront is curved inward and overlooks the Manzanillo Shipping Port. Plenty of ground-level tables and chairs allow you to relax and enjoy the view, whereas most of the tables and chairs on the second level pertain to the many restaurants and food eateries.
The multiple staircases and elevators take you to the second floor. The tiled flooring, metal handrails, and glass barriers are beautiful embellishments. The mall has coffee cafes, pizzerias, ice cream parlors, electronic stores, a Mac Store, jewelry/handbag stores, and several duty-free stores selling various items. There are public bathrooms on both floors.
The current occupancy rate is approximately 50%, which isn't surprising given it just opened and the cruise season is just beginning. But with time, I'm sure that will change.
Google Map - Home Port Cruise Terminal
Also known as Pier 6, Cristobal Port resides along the Panama Canal's channel between the breakwater and Gatun and Agua Clara Locks. Quite a few years ago, the port was a fully functioning cruise ship terminal, but management decided to exit the cruise ship business and concentrate solely on commercial shipping. Consequently, they bulldozed the entire facility, and all that remains is an empty pier. Currently, there are no facilities.
If your vessel is behind schedule or too large to call at the other two Atlantic Ports, then you could call Cristobal Port. Otherwise, it's unlikely.