Carnaval de Panama

One of the most anticipated events in Panama, Carnaval de Panama is a grand celebration held before Lent. This multi-day festival takes place in various cities, with the most famous celebrations in Panama City and Las Tablas. Known for its exuberant parades, colorful costumes, and infectious music, Carnaval de Panama draws both locals and tourists to join in the revelry.

Parades

• Colorful Floats: Elaborately decorated floats depict cultural themes, historical events, and mythological stories. These floats captivate spectators with their creativity and grandeur.
• Traditional Costumes: Participants wear vibrant, traditional costumes reflecting Panama’s diverse cultural heritage. These costumes feature intricate designs, bright colors, and elaborate headpieces, adding to the visual spectacle.
• Lively Music: The parades are accompanied by lively music, including traditional Panamanian tunes and contemporary hits. Marching bands, drummers, and musicians create an infectious atmosphere of joy.

Water Fights

• Culecos: Known as “culecos,” these water fights are a fun and refreshing part of the festivities. Participants use buckets, hoses, and water balloons to drench each other in the streets. This tradition cools down revelers in the tropical heat and adds a playful element to the celebrations.
• Community Involvement: Both locals and tourists join in the water fights, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie. Families, friends, and even strangers playfully splash water on each other, creating a memorable experience.

Music and Dancing

• Non-stop Music: Throughout Carnaval, expect non-stop music that keeps the party going day and night. From traditional Panamanian rhythms to modern dance tracks, there’s a wide variety of music to enjoy.
• Street Dancing: The streets come alive with people dancing to the beats. The festive atmosphere encourages everyone to join in and enjoy the moment.
• Live Performances: Organized live performances by local and international artists take place in central locations, attracting large crowds and adding to the excitement of Carnaval.

Feria de La Chorrera

Feria de La Chorrera is a week-long celebration of agriculture, livestock, and Panamanian culture held in the town of La Chorrera. This festival combines traditional elements with modern attractions, making it a popular event for families and visitors.

Exhibitions

• Livestock Shows: Farmers and breeders display their best animals, highlighting the region’s agricultural prowess with competitions for the best breeds.
• Agricultural Displays: Extensive displays showcase local produce, farming techniques, and innovations in agriculture, offering insights into Panama’s agricultural heritage.
• Local Crafts: Artisans sell handcrafted goods, including pottery, textiles, and jewelry, reflecting Panama’s rich cultural traditions and offering unique souvenirs.

Rides and Games

• Funfair Rides: The fairground features rides for all ages, from thrilling roller coasters to gentle carousels, providing entertainment for the whole family.
• Games: Various game stalls offer a chance to win prizes, adding a fun and competitive element to the fair.

Food

• Traditional Panamanian Dishes: Numerous stalls offer traditional Panamanian cuisine such as sancocho, tamales, and empanadas, making the fair a food lover’s paradise.
• International Cuisine: The fair also features a variety of international dishes, catering to diverse tastes with both Latin American specialties and global favorites.

Semana Santa

In Panama, Semana Santa, also known as Holy Week, is a major religious occasion observed with solemn processions and rituals. During this week-long celebration, the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ are remembered. It’s a period of devotion and introspection that’s widely observed throughout the nation.

Processions

• Elaborate Processions: The highlight of Semana Santa is the elaborate religious processions that take place throughout the week. These processions feature life-sized statues of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and other biblical figures, carried through the streets by devout followers.
• Stations of the Cross: Many processions follow the Stations of the Cross, a series of 14 images that depict the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. Participants stop at each station to pray and reflect, creating a solemn and reverent atmosphere.

Church Services

• Special Masses: Churches across Panama hold special masses and services throughout Holy Week. These services include readings from the Bible, hymns, and prayers, providing an opportunity for worshippers to deepen their faith.
• Vigils: Many churches hold vigils, especially on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. These vigils involve extended periods of prayer and meditation, often lasting through the night.

Reenactments

• Biblical Scenes: Dramatic reenactments of biblical scenes are a popular tradition during Semana Santa. These performances, often held in small towns, depict events such as the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection.
• Community Participation: Local communities actively participate in these reenactments, with many residents taking on roles as biblical characters. This involvement fosters a strong sense of community and religious devotion.

Festival de la Mejorana

The Festival de la Mejorana in Guararé is a celebration of Panamanian folklore and traditional music. Named after the Mejorana, a traditional Panamanian string instrument, this festival is a cultural extravaganza that highlights the country’s rich heritage.

Music and Dance

• Traditional Performances: The festival features performances of traditional Panamanian music, with musicians playing the Mejorana and other folk instruments. These performances showcase the country’s musical heritage and provide a lively and entertaining atmosphere.
• Folk Dances: Folk dances are a central part of the festival, with dancers performing traditional routines in colorful costumes. These dances are a visual delight, reflecting the diverse cultural influences that have shaped Panamanian traditions.

Costumes

• Traditional Attire: Participants wear traditional attire that reflects Panama’s cultural diversity. Women often wear Polleras, intricate and beautiful dresses, while men don traditional shirts and hats. These costumes are a significant part of the festival, adding to its visual appeal.
• Cultural Heritage: The costumes and performances at the festival highlight Panama’s cultural heritage, celebrating its indigenous, African, and Spanish influences.

Competitions

• Music Competitions: The festival hosts competitions for the best Mejorana players, with musicians showcasing their skills and vying for top honors. These contests are a highlight of the festival, drawing talented performers from across the country.
• Dance Competitions: Folk dance competitions are also a key part of the festival, with groups competing to be named the best dancers. These competitions add an element of excitement and friendly rivalry to the festivities.

Conclusion

Panama’s festivals and celebrations reflect its rich cultural tapestry. Each event offers a unique glimpse into the traditions, music, and heritage of this beautiful country. Whether dancing at Carnaval or marveling at intricate Polleras, these celebrations are unforgettable for anyone looking to immerse themselves in Panamanian culture. Mark your calendars and explore the heart and soul of Panama through its lively festivals.

The post Explore Panama: Your Guide to the Top Festivals and Celebrations appeared first on Historic DowntownPC.

The main attraction of Panama is its unique nature. The picturesque white sand beaches of Bocas del Toro, San Carlos, Nueva Gorgon and Bastimento are great for a relaxing family swim as well as for surfing or underwater fishing.

Hiking enthusiasts should definitely visit Boquete, Cerro Punta, Soberania National Park and climb the Baru volcano. Another popular tourist destination in Panama is visiting the local Indian tribes who have managed to preserve their authentic culture and way of life.

As a memory of visiting this amazing country tourists take back home Molas – hand-woven products of bright colors, which are made by women of the Kuna tribe, local coffee of excellent quality and headgear.

Panama Canal

One of Panama’s most popular places is its canal. The amazing creation of human hands was officially opened in 1920, although the first ideas of such construction appeared as early as the 16th century. The Panama Canal hosts many tourist excursions and the best place to watch the ships is at the walls of the Miraflores locks.

Volcano Baru

The highest point in Panama is the Baru Volcano located in the west of the country. Its altitude is 3,474 meters above sea level. In good weather from the top of Baru you can see the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Baru Volcano is a popular tourist attraction and its summit can be accessed via the Quetzales trail.

Panama City

The capital of the state, founded in 1519, is the famous Panama City. It seamlessly combines the ancient ruins of Panama Viejo and modern neighborhoods. Swimming in Panama City’s coastal waters is prohibited, but the sandy beaches of Coronado, Gorgon, San Carlos, and Rio Mar await tourists less than an hour from the capital. It is worth spending a few days visiting Panama City because of its historic center which has been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. There is also a natural park, a highway and a lot of other interesting sights. And if you want something exotic, you can visit land-based casinos, which are also quite a few in Panama City.

City of Bocas del Toro

Bocas del Toro, the capital city of the province of the same name, has a lot of hotels, restaurants and entertainment centers. But it is popular because of the easy access to the famous Panamanian archipelago. On the islands of the archipelago tourists engage in diving and surfing, as well as making deep-sea dives.

Panama Viejo

An ancient city built in 1517, today it is part of Panama City. Panama Viejo constantly had to defend itself against Indians and pirates until one such attack in 1671 ended with the almost total destruction of the city. Today the ancient quarters of Panama Viejo are open to the public.

Coiba National Park

One of Panama’s largest islands has given its name to this country’s unique national park. About 760 species of fish live in the park and from April to September a lot of turtles come to Coiba to lay their eggs. For its excellent conditions for diving, Coiba is called the “new Galapagos”.

The Bridge of the Two Americas

Built in 1962, the Bridge of the Americas was the first undivided bridge between the southern and northern United States. After a major expansion in 2004, the capacity of the structure reached 35,000 vehicles per day. The bridge looks especially spectacular in the nighttime illumination.

San Blas Archipelago Islands

The exceptionally beautiful San Blas Archipelago is only about half an hour by boat from Panama City. It is inhabited by Kuna Indians who have managed to maintain an economy and culture independent of Panama City. People come to San Blas to do some diving, fish, see the daily Indian life or just relax on the pristine local beaches.

City of Boquete

Located in the Caldera Valley is the small town of Boquete. Tourists from all over the world come here for a variety of recreation. In Boquete, you can go fishing, ride horses through the jungle, visit coffee plantations, as well as rafting on the river in kayaks or inflatable rafts.

Comarca Kuna Yala Beach

One of the most popular beaches in Panama is Comarca Cuna Yala, located on an archipelago in the Caribbean Sea. It is home to the Kuna Indians, who rent out cabins and cook food for tourists who want to dive into a real “wild” vacation. The cleanest sand and clear waters of the coast make Comarca Kuna Yala ideal for family vacations.

The Sendero de los Quetzales Trail

One of the most beautiful hiking trails in Panama is the Sendero de los Quetzales Trail. The trail owes its name to the extremely beautiful and rare quetzal bird that can be found in the local forests. The Sendero de los Quetzales begins near Baja Boquete and leads through Cerro Punta to the observation point, 2,500 meters above sea level.

Isla de Taboga

In the Gulf of Panama near Cape Bruja is the famous Island of Taboga. Here you can relax on the beach, visit a miniature seventeenth-century church, and admire an impressive array of rain forest or watch a colony of brown pelicans. For outdoor enthusiasts, Taboga offers underwater or ocean fishing, overnight stays in tents on neighboring islands or kayaking.

Bastimentos National Marine Park

The island of Bastimentos, which is part of the Bocas del Toro archipelago, is home to the national park of the same name. More than 85% of the park’s area consists of the waters of the Caribbean Sea. The Bastimentos National Marine Park is home to crocodiles, several species of turtles, monkeys, sloths, and over 60 species of birds.

Santa Catalina

Until the 1970s, Santa Catalina was a simple fishing village, whose life changed abruptly when surfers discovered this attractive place. Today, the village offers surfers comfortable hotels, cafes and equipment rentals. In addition to surfing you can go scuba diving or underwater fishing.

Amador Causeway

The road from the mainland of Panama City, connecting the archipelago to the four islands, is called Amador Causeway. This road was built in 1913 and was originally used for the stationing of a U.S. military base. Today, Amador Causeway is a popular destination for tourists and locals.

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Balboa Avenue runs along the area, as well as the new Cinta Coster Highway with modern interchanges. The Cinta Costera neighborhood includes the Vasco Núñez de Bonaire Park. Vasco Núñez de Balboa and other seaside parks and recreation areas with alleys, fountains, ponds, gazebos, and tennis courts. Along the coast of the Gulf of Panama there is a 3.5 kilometers long Cinta Costera bike path. In the area is the tallest building in Panama – Star Bay Tower 267 meters tall.

Avenida Balboa is the most modern and wide avenue of Panama City, as well as the most expensive highway in the world. The avenue runs along the Pacific Ocean, close to the financial center of the city. At the end of 2009, the avenue was completely renovated and widened, and Cinta Costera, Panama City’s waterfront, was opened. Cinta Costera has sports fields, parks, gazebos, fountains, green areas with trees and tropical plants, a bike path, pedestrian paths, including those adapted for the disabled, and a monument to Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, who discovered the Pacific Ocean.

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