Fort San Lorenzo
Fort San Lorenzo
4
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King Phillip II ordered the fortress to be built in 1595, which is located on the Chagres River commanding a view of the mouth of the river and miles out to sea.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.0
334 reviews
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140
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138
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47
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7
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WanderingFarmer
Payson, UT451 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Another history stop that is worth the time to see. We arrived there later than expected, but those that run the tours at the fort were able to set up the video presentation for us to watch. The video itself was amateurish at best. We were then able to walk the grounds for 1/2 hour only. You can see that they have put a lot of time rebuilding the structure in areas. Parts of the old fort are still standing still, held up with beams. Worth the stop and walk around, take your time at this one.
Written 25 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Weak Knee Traveler
Singapore, Singapore12 833 contributions
Sept 2019 • Solo
This Spanish fort which fell to a pirate called Henry Morgan was used to guard the Caribbean end of the Las Cruces Trail, the overland route for Spanish treasures and gold from Central and South America. It is views of both the Caribbean sea and some of the Tunnels have bat's in them.
Great for a visit.
Great for a visit.
Written 5 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle T
New York City, NY656 contributions
Sept 2022
Our tour took us to San Lorenzo National Park for a picnic lunch. After lunch, we were taken on a walk through the Fort, which is currently undergoing some restoration. It does take away some of the charm of the fort, as a lot of places are currently being worked on.
However, it was really interesting to hear about some of the history behind the fort - and all the pirates that tried to take it.
It also offers a beautiful view of the mouth of the Chagres River. I wouldn't say it's a must-see, but it's definitely a cool spot to include on a tour.
However, it was really interesting to hear about some of the history behind the fort - and all the pirates that tried to take it.
It also offers a beautiful view of the mouth of the Chagres River. I wouldn't say it's a must-see, but it's definitely a cool spot to include on a tour.
Written 17 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin S
Pontypridd, UK7 059 contributions
Apr 2022
$5 entry, which is expensive for what it is. A pleasant introductory video and self guide yourselves around the site with its many information boards in Spanish and English. But it is not a large site, and not too many features, so it will be a short visit. Portobello offers as much or more in two forts for no charge.
Written 26 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aitor S
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Couples
We cruised to Columbus last year and contacted Mi Viaje a Panamá (Tamara +50763242898) highly recommended. We decided to take an excursion combining the Fort of San Lorenzo and the new Panama Canal. We really liked the Channel, especially all the history our Guide showed us. But Fort St. Lawrence took the 10th! It is a fascinating experience as it offers a mixture of history and breathtaking scenery at the mouth of the Chagres River. This year we repeat a stop in Panama and will make another visit to the indigenous people with them.
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Written 26 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Atravelfan
Atlanta256 contributions
Jul 2022
We stopped at Fort San Lorenzo while on the Colon side after our Agua Clara locks visit. There is a lot of restoration work ongoing but this was still a lovely place to visit with so much history there are good signs with English translations to help with the self guided tour. I enjoy visiting ruins and these were beautiful.
Written 18 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wanderer10644
Dothan, AL1 contribution
I grew up in Panama and am hoping to return soon to take my husband to my "home". So that is how I stumbled across this site...making sure I don't miss anything that I want to show him when we go. I went to Fort San Lorenzo many times and each time it was an amazing experience. Walking around in the darkened rooms with moss growing on them made me feel like I was the first person that had ever been there. And the view is absolutely gorgeous. It is complete with a moat and everything. It's really indescribable and I would reccomend a visit to Fort San Lorenzo to anyone who wants to get a taste of history. I know I plan to return there when my husband and I go for a visit.
Written 21 July 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sir911
Atlanta, USA38 contributions
Maybe we were just there on a particularly good day. The combination of the crystal blue Carribean water, clear sunny skies were great in themselves. But throw in the well-maintained fort and we could just feel the history. Visiting this location, I could see why the Spanish wanted to set up fort here! The road to San Lorenzo is abysmal, but it's worth the trip.
Written 28 November 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roy P
Lewisburg, PA92 contributions
Jan 2013 • Couples
On January 22,2013 we drove out to Fort San Lorenzo during a day trip from Panama City to the area. We stopped at the Shelter Bay Marina en route. The Marina is located on the property of the now defunct Fort Sherman, built in 1911-12 as a defensive position on the West bank of the canal. The ruins of the base are extremely interesting......to a retired military man like myself......the Marina and Restaurant are a welcome pit stop in that area......there is a small bar and restaurant......we didn't eat there, but had a refreshment and sat for a while on the landing, watching the "action" and overhearing chatter from boaters.....mostly in the french language on this occasion. A bartender at the Marina informed us that the road to Fort San Lorenzo was "broken" and that without a four wheel drive we could not pass. I decided to drive to the "break". We entered a National Park area and the "ranger" at the entrance told us that there was indeed a "break" ahead, but that there was a short bypass that would get us around the break. The 'break', as it turns out was a massive washout of the road, caused on last November 25th, according to the 'ranger'......by rains......but that they had bulldozed a bypass around the break. I asked him if my car, a simple passenger car, could make it through the break and he said yes, no problem. So we embarked on the break, which turned out to be a very rough path through the jungle for around 50-75 yards, before rejoining the pavement.....and then the rest of the way to the Fort was on decent paved road, with stretches which were covered/semi-blocked by debris, no doubt from the same rain storm. Crews were working, by manual labor, to clear the various debris clusters from the road. The detour was not that difficult; it just requires patience and careful steering to avoid "hitting bottom" in places. Fort San Lorenzo itself is a beautiful site. Unfortunately there is very little in the way of interpretive information on the site. The visitor really needs to do his own homework prior to arrival to understand the history of this location. But the setting is spectacular......built right at the mouth of the Chagres River....on a promontory......the Fort was obviously an extensive installation in its day and its guns commanded access to the river from the sea. The visitor needs to exercise caution here. There are some extremely steep cliffs at the approaches to the Fort, with no guard rails. There is, inside the Fort itself one extremely dangerous place........it is a rectangular hole in the ground, unprotected by any barriers at all, which is full of water. The water is at such a level below the surface of the ground that if anyone accidentally fell into the water there is no way they could extricate themselves and there appeared to be nothing to hold onto once in the pool of water. No apparent means of survival. I would stay right away from that place.....and if you have children with you.....keep them in hand. A trip to Fort San Lorenzo is well worth the effort......do your homework before arriving.
Written 23 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chicago Flyer
Chicago, IL380 contributions
I agree - San Lorenzo is a great place to visit (albeit with some imagination). But I want to talk about getting there:
- The road is paved the entire way - so forget about what you read here or in some outdated travel books. It is not rough, it is not dirt.
- It is difficult to find the turn-off when coming from the south toward Colon. You wil either be on the autopista (toll road) or the highway from the south - no matter which, right now they converge into one road.
- Heading toward Colon, you will pass a huge warehouse-like building that says Zona Libre Colon - right before the road starts to rise on a bridge that goes over another road. Do NOT take the bridge, veer off the right exit and take a left at the end of the ramp to the Gatun Locks. There are no signs until you get to the bottom of the ramp.
- You may have to wait a bit at the Gatun Locks - depending upon the ships going through. After the locks, go straight ahead and the rest of the way is well marked.
Enjoy!!
- The road is paved the entire way - so forget about what you read here or in some outdated travel books. It is not rough, it is not dirt.
- It is difficult to find the turn-off when coming from the south toward Colon. You wil either be on the autopista (toll road) or the highway from the south - no matter which, right now they converge into one road.
- Heading toward Colon, you will pass a huge warehouse-like building that says Zona Libre Colon - right before the road starts to rise on a bridge that goes over another road. Do NOT take the bridge, veer off the right exit and take a left at the end of the ramp to the Gatun Locks. There are no signs until you get to the bottom of the ramp.
- You may have to wait a bit at the Gatun Locks - depending upon the ships going through. After the locks, go straight ahead and the rest of the way is well marked.
Enjoy!!
Written 3 September 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, Jamie. What would you like to know about this attraction?
What company did you use for this as we want a private tour on the Atlantic side of the Canal & Old Fort Lorenzo, with lunch at Shelter Island ? Thank You
Written 13 October 2019
We stayed at Le Meridian hotel in Panama City and they arranged the private car with a driver who took us on a day long trip to Fort San Lorenzo and Leon. He was great, spoke excellent English and very courteous.
Written 14 October 2019
How do you get there safely from Colon. We will be in Colon on a cruise from 2 to 8 pm. I haven't been able to find a tour. Did you hire a taxi?
Written 6 January 2019
I ordered an Uber to take me to the location, to me that was the safest way to get around since I barely speak Spanish.
Written 6 January 2019
Can you drive from colon in a rental car to the fort?
Written 7 December 2017
I use car rentals, all over Panama! No, problem.
Written 1 February 2019
I visited San Lorenzo s part of a tour to the new Panama Canal Locks. The tour was a walk in the jungle, San Lorenzo and the new locks. There were 4 people on the tour in a minibus. I found the tour on trip advisor while looking for tours of the new locks. It was $67.
Written 29 August 2017
Does a bus go from Colon to the Fort and then back later on?
Written 21 March 2017
There is no scheduled bus for it. You can only visit San Lorenzo with excursion buses
Written 22 March 2017
can we go to the fort and back by taxi??from Colon
Written 14 January 2017
A taxi ride from Colon to San Lorenzo is possible, but it is a long ride and if on the meter could get a bit pricey. By far the most reasonable means of getting there and seeing it is with a private driver. This is definitely a half day attraction, so you'd want to negotiate accordingly. If it is just a driver, then negotiate a lower price than it was a tour guide and driver in one. If you are staying at a hotel in Colon, as them to help coordinate. When in Central and South America there is always a need to be just a little safer as things can and do happen to tourists.
Uber is another option. But, when the car shows up, explain what you want to do to include the ride back and wait time. They can adjust the fare on their smartphone. Uber is typically cheaper than a taxi and the drivers are vetted.
The taxi is really the last option I'd pick as you have no idea who you will have driving you down some very remote rode.
Don't let the logistics of getting there keep you from going. San Lorenzo is well worth the effort and a place you will remember forever.
Written 14 January 2017
Hi,
We are considering visiting the fort via a cruise ship excursion. My wife has limited mobility and can walk only short distances. Does anyone know how far a walk it is from the parking lot to the fort itself?
Thanks
Written 1 January 2017
Not for limited mobility traveler.
Written 7 December 2017
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