Spend an afternoon at the canal. Each ship takes a good half-hour to go through, and it is fascinating to sit and watch the maneuvers. The canal closes early (around 4:30pm the day we were there), so plan ahead.
Drive around the city and look at the architecture inspired by Spaniards but built by the Antillanos during the construction of the canal. The Antillanos were mostly Jamaicans (many descendents can be seen and heard in the city speaking English) brought in to help with the massive project. They also built residences. I was told that the better houses were for the lighter-skinned and the wooden homes on stilts - still visible here and there - were for the darker laborers. Many of the buildings are being reconditioned; in the meantime, squatters occupy them with little to no furniture and often with no electricity. As a city of contrasts, look for the number of newer SUVs cruising the city. The contrast between rich and poor is staggering.
Go shopping for better quality souvenirs at Colon 2000, a new Spanish-style strip mall trying to attract the cruise-ship crowd. Bargain hard.
Take a day trip to Portobello or Playa Grande. Twenty minutes out of Colon, the landscape, housing, and pace changes. Be on the lookout for banana trees and glimpses of the sea between the leaves of the palm trees. Portobello is the home of the Iglesia del Cristo Negro (Church of the Black Christ), which is definitely worth a visit. Also of interest are the fort and armaduria where the Spanish stored their gold while waiting for ships to take it back to Spain. There are cunas -- Indian women sitting on the steps working on their molas or basketry. Be careful, though - they only allow their pictures taken if you buy from something from them. It is rumored that in the bay of Portobello lies the body of the famous British pirate Sir Frances Drake.
Isla Grande is an area where the locals flock on weekends, but it was relatively deserted the Friday we were there. The beach was small but clean, the water was warm, and there were small excursion boats available for hiring.
Quick Tips:
Best Way To Get Around:
The best way to get anywhere is by taxi or a hired car.