​​​​Lost Paradises -  North and Central America

Panama - Costa Arriba

Portobelo

Portobelo is about 2 hours from Panama City in the Caribbean coastal area know as “Costa Arriba".    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).  Portobelo is also famous for the historical fortresses from the 17th century, listed by Unesco.