Zona Libre de Colón
Many South American merchants go to Colón to shop at the Zona Libre de Colón (Colón Free Zone), which handles about $6 million worth of wholesale and retail sales per year. Northern visitors likely won't be wowed by the prices and won't recognize the brand names here. It is also downright ugly. If you do visit, remember that this is a free port. Your purchases must be exported. The Zona Libre delivers what you buy for pick-up upon your departure at Tocumen International Airport. Allow a minimum of two days for the arrangements. If you're hankering for some shopping, it's generally easier to stick to the mega-malls in Panama City, since the Free Zone is focused almost completely on wholesale.
