Panama welcomes cruise ships on two coasts. On the Atlantic side is Colón 2000; on the Pacific side, the Panama Cruise Port Terminal, on the Amador Causeway, just minutes from the city. If you’re embarking or disembarking at one of them and arriving through Tocumen International Airport (PTY), it helps to know which port is yours, how long the trip takes, and how to plan your transfer.

Last updated: November 6, 2026.

The 2026-27 season is already underway

Cruise season begins in October. According to the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), between January and July 2026 the country logged 143 port calls and 488,567 cruise passengers (embarkations and disembarkations), up 21.6% from the same period in 2025. For travelers, more traffic usually means higher transport demand on the days ships arrive and depart.

Two ports, two coasts

Colón 2000 (Atlantic). The traditional gateway to the Caribbean. It’s in the province of Colón, more than 75 km (47 miles) from Panama City. Some calls use the nearby Cristóbal Pier (about 10 minutes from Colón 2000, within the same city of Colón) as an alternate port when there’s no space available at Colón 2000; our reference fare covers both.
Panama Cruise Port Terminal, Amador (Pacific). Located on Perico Island, on the Amador Causeway, right next to the Canal entrance. It serves Pacific itineraries and Canal transits, and sits very close to the city.

Before booking your transfer, confirm which port you’re using in your boarding documents. The names sound similar, but the distance between them is significant.

Home port or port of call: what changes for your transfer

Home port: the cruise begins or ends its voyage in Panama. Passengers land at the airport, transfer to the port, and board (or do the reverse trip). Here, the transfer depends on your boarding time and your flight.
Port of call: the ship makes a stop of a few hours as part of its itinerary. Passengers don’t go through the airport.

Panama operates as both a home port and a port of call, according to the AMP. If your trip combines a flight and a cruise, you’re in the first case.

From Tocumen Airport to each port

Port	Approximate time from Tocumen	Reference fare in sedan
Port of Colón (Colón 2000)	1 h 30 min	From US$253
Panama Cruise Port Terminal (Amador)	45 min	From US$101

Rates are for reference, for a sedan seating up to 2 passengers, and include tolls. Travel times can vary with traffic; the route to Colón runs via the Corredor Norte and the Transístmica highway. The final rate depends on passengers, luggage, and booking details: request your quote.

How to plan your transfer to the port

Confirm your port and boarding deadline with your cruise line. That time drives everything else.
Book in advance. Ship departure days concentrate transport demand.
Share your flight number. We monitor flights in real time to coordinate your driver’s arrival at the airport.
Leave a buffer between your flight and boarding. This is a general recommendation: if your ship departs early or your flight lands with little room to spare, arriving a day ahead reduces the risk, especially toward Colón given the distance.
Travel with cruise luggage without worry. Let us know how many bags you’re bringing when you request your quote, so we can assign the right vehicle.
Round trip? Booking both legs together (airport-to-port and port-to-airport) unlocks our round-trip promotion: check the current code and discount on our reference fares.

Our service to the ports

AT Transportation Group offers private transportation from Tocumen International Airport (PTY) to both ports, and also in the opposite direction: from the port to the airport or your hotel, and from hotels to the port. Our transfers include tolls, 45 minutes of complimentary wait time from confirmed landing, flight monitoring, personalized Meet & Greet, bilingual drivers fluent in Spanish and English, and complimentary water on board. We don’t charge extra fees on holidays. Our Sedan category seats up to 2 passengers; if you’re traveling with more people, ask about other categories when requesting your quote.

Check out our cruise port transfers, the Tocumen to Colón 2000 route, and the Tocumen to Amador route, or request your quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take from Tocumen Airport to the port of Colón? About 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

How long does it take from Tocumen Airport to Amador? About 45 minutes, depending on traffic.

What’s the difference between Colón 2000 and Amador? Colón 2000 is on the Atlantic coast, more than 75 km from Panama City. Amador is on the Pacific side, on the Amador Causeway, very close to the city.

How much does the transfer from the airport to the cruise port cost? From US$253 to the Port of Colón and from US$101 to Amador, in a sedan, for up to 2 passengers, tolls included. These are reference rates; the final fare is confirmed when you request your quote.

What happens if my flight is delayed? We monitor flights in real time to coordinate your driver. You have 45 minutes of complimentary wait time from confirmed landing.

Can you take us if we’re more than 2 passengers? The sedan seats up to 2 passengers. For larger groups, let us know how many you are when requesting your quote.

Do you offer the transfer from the port to the airport or a hotel, or from a hotel to the port? Yes. In addition to the airport-to-port transfer, we offer the trip in the opposite direction and transfers to or from hotels.

Does the Colón 2000 fare also apply to Cristóbal Pier? Yes. Both ports are about 10 minutes apart, within the city of Colón; Cristóbal Pier is used as an alternate port when there’s no space at Colón 2000, and our reference fare covers both.

Panama Cruise Season 2026-27: Colón 2000, Amador & How to Get There from the Airport