Event· Portobelo· Other Caribbean

Festival of the Black Christ (Portobelo)

9° 33.2′ N · 79° 39.3′ W

Every October 21, thousands of pilgrims converge on Portobelo's Church of San Felipe to follow the Cristo Negro (the Black Nazarene) through the streets, the image swaying two steps back and three forward to the music, some devotees crawling to the church to fulfil vows.

Belize Barrier Reef

Practical

Coordinate: Iglesia de San Felipe, Portobelo (Spanish Wikipedia). Pilgrim devotions start from October 15; the main procession is on October 21. Expect crowds, road traffic and a full anchorage; lock the boat and dinghy (Noonsite notes theft risk rises during festivals). Portobelo is also known for its Afro-colonial Congo dances (Lindblad expedition report).

Best for

Seeing Panama's biggest religious pilgrimage from your anchorage

Season

October 15–21 (procession October 21)

Nearby