Columbus Cruise Review

Home > Cruise Destination Guide > Cristobal

Time Zone: GMT - 5.

Currency: Balboa (B) = 100 centavos.

Language: Spanish; English is widely spoken.

Sightseeing: Cristobal is the port of entrance to the famous Panama Canal. This 80-kilometre (50-mile) stretch of water is one of the most important and fantastic engineering feats in the world, providing passage for over 12,000 ships every year. An open-air balcony at Miraflores Locks offers visitors good views of the electrical locomotives or ‘mules’ pulling giant ships through as the water levels are balanced.

Shopping: Panama is a duty-free haven and luxury goods from all over the world can be bought at a saving of at least one-third. Local items include leatherware, patterned, beaded necklaces made by Guaymí Indians, native costumes, handicrafts of carved wood, ceramics, papier mâché artefacts, macramé and mahogany bowls.

Eating Out: Local cuisine is hot and spicy. Dishes include ceviche (fish marinated in lime juice, onions and peppers), patacones de plátano (fried plantain), sancocho (Panamanian stew with chicken, meat and vegetables), tamales (seasoned pie wrapped in banana leaves), carimañolas and empanadas (turnovers filled with meat, chicken or cheese).