The Colon Free Zone in Panama

Going by private or rented car is the best option because you need to move inside the Zone to visit the different stores, as it is a large commercial area and has different access routes. To do this, you must take the North Corridor (Corredor Norte), where a toll fee of around US$ 2.50 must be paid. This consists of a road that goes from Panama to Chilibre or vice versa. It can also be the Transisthmian highway (Vía Transístmica), through which you can reach the business area in approximately 45 minutes.

You can take a taxi from outside your hotel, minibuses from private tour companies, or hire transportation services through mobile apps like Uber or Cabify. Usually, a taxi will charge you approximately US$ 60 for a one-way trip, and our recommendation is that you always agree on the fare with the driver before taking the service to avoid misunderstandings.

Head to the Albrook Bus Terminal, which is part of the Albrook Mall in Panama City. From there you can take a bus to Colon; the departure frequency is 30 mins, at a cost of US$ 3.15 for the one-way trip. You must also purchase the Rapi Pass card at the terminal to move within it for a cost of US$ 2. Although the Colon Bus Terminal is relatively close to the zone, for your convenience it is better to take a taxi to the passes entrance, located at 14th Street and Bolivar Avenue, which has a departure frequency of 30 mins back to Panama City.

The Panama Railway makes a daily trip from Monday to Friday, from Panama City to Colon, leaving from the Corozal Passenger Station at 7:15 AM and returning at 5:15 PM from the Colon 2000 Cruise Port, with an approximate travel time of 1 hour. It is not necessary to purchase tickets in advance, and you can buy them at each station for a cost of US$ 25 per one-way trip for adults, US$ 15 for children, and US$ 17.50 for retirees.

Tourist agencies offer a Shopping Tour / Excursions, where they pick up the tourist at their hotel and transfer them to the province of Colon to make their retail purchases or wholesale orders in ZOLICOL, all in a «Full Day,» and at the end of the day, they take them back to the hotel or hostel where they are staying. They last approximately 8 hours and the cost varies depending on the agency you hire; you can find packages per person from $80 onwards, which include transportation and charge an additional fee per person.

Requirements to apply for a Tourist Pass

Pass granted to tourists wishing to enter the Business area in Colon, provided they have their valid passport and stamp. They must go to the passes door. It has a cost of US$ 5.

Requirements to apply for a rental car pass for tourists

Special permit granted to tourists wishing to enter with their rented car. They must present the contract from the rental company and go to the passes door. It has a cost of US$ 15.

I am Panamanian and want to buy in the Colon Free Zone? This pass is granted to Panamanian visitors from companies established outside the Free Zone area who wish to purchase products in the Colon Free Zone.

Requirements to apply for a Personal Visitor Pass

It costs US$ 25. To obtain it, you must go to the passes door and fill out the «Personal Visitor Pass Form.» The delivery time will depend on the number of passes requested, and it is valid for 1 year.

Requirements to apply for the visitor vehicle sticker

It costs US$ 50. To obtain it, you must go to the passes door and fill out the «Visitor Vehicle Pass Request Form.» It is valid for 1 year, and the delivery time is approximately five days.

Requirements to apply for the visitor motorcycle sticker

It costs US$ 25. To obtain it, you must go to the passes door and fill out the «Motorcycle Pass Form.» It is valid for 1 year, and the delivery time is approximately five days.

Requirements to apply for a Temporary Pass

Granted to the Organization of independent street vendors, it has a cost of US$ 3.

Passes granted to visitors from independent Companies established outside the Colon Zone area.

 

Requirements to apply for the Personal Visitor Pass

It costs US$ 12. To obtain it, you must go to the passes door and fill out the «Personal Visitor Pass Form.» The delivery time will depend on the number of passes requested, and the company is obligated to return them as soon as the employee stops providing service. It is valid for 1 year.

Requirements to apply for the visitor vehicle sticker

It costs US$ 50. To obtain it, you must go to the passes door and fill out the «Visitor Vehicle Pass Request Form.» It is valid for 1 year, and the delivery time is approximately five days.

Requirements to apply for the visitor motorcycle sticker

It costs US$ 25. To obtain it, you must go to the passes door and fill out the «Motorcycle Pass Form.» It is valid for 1 year, and the delivery time is approximately five days.

Requirements to apply for the provisional card (vehicular)

Cards granted to independent minibuses and set minibuses, construction vehicles. It costs US$ 10. To obtain it, you must go to the passes door; the process is carried out through letters accompanied by the vehicle documents.

Requirements to apply for the Executive Pass

Pass granted to Managers or Legal Representatives of established companies. It has a cost of US$ 25 and a validity of 1 year. The processing time takes approximately 5 days.

Requirements to apply for the Permanent Personal Pass – User Companies and Visitor

Pass granted to the permanent staff of companies established within the Colon Free Zone. It has a cost of US$ 12 and a validity of 1 year. The processing time depends on the number of passes requested.

Requirements to apply for a Temporary Pass

Pass granted to temporary staff who are not on the payroll of the companies established within the business area. It has a cost of US$ 3 and a validity of 1 year.

Requirements to apply for the Private / Motorcycle Sticker

Vehicular pass granted to user companies established within the Colon Free Zone. It has a cost of US$ 15 for cars and a cost of US$ 25 for motorcycles, with a validity of 1 year. The processing time takes approximately 5 days.

Requirements to apply for the collective sticker

Vehicular pass granted to user companies that transport the employees of companies established in the Colon Free Zone. It has a cost of US$ 25 and a validity of 1 year. The processing time takes approximately 5 days.

Application to Renew Vehicular Passes

This year 2020 there will be no renewal of vehicular passes.