Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MARCH
Semana Santa or Holy Week
March-April. Celebrated everywhere, but most colourfully
on the Azuero Peninsula.
Festival de los Diablos y Congos
Vibrant biennial weekend event in Portobelo, showcasing
Afro-colonial culture and resistance to the Spanish conquest in a mass of costumes, dances
and devils (2011, 2013).
APRIL
Feria de las Orquideas
Five days in early April in Boquete. Over a thousand orchids, craft
stalls and a programme of cultural events.
Feria Internacional de Azuero
Ten days in La Villa de Los Santos. Major agricultural fair
with stalls, presentations and competitions reflecting the area's colonial and cattle-farming
traditions.
JUNE
Festival de Corpus Christi
Late May/early June. Celebrated across the country but most
spectacularly in La Villa de Los Santos with processions and dramatic devil dances.
JULY
Fiestas Patronales de la Virgen del Carmen
July 16, Isla Taboga. The virgin gets to cir-
cumnavigate the island in a procession of decorated boats.
Fiestas Patronales de la Santa Librada
July 20-22, Las Tablas. A mix of religious and
folkloric parades incorporating the Festival de la Pollera, which showcases Panama's gor-
geous national dress.
AUGUST
Festival del Manito Ocueño
Thurs-Sun, dates vary. In Ocú, Azuero Peninsula. Lively folk
festival featuring a mock duel and peasant wedding.
OCTOBER
Feria de Isla Tigre
Mid-Oct, Isla Tigre (Digir Dupu), Guna Yala. Multi-day festivity of
Guna culture.
Festival de la Mejorana
Five days in mid-Oct, Guararé, Azuero Peninsula. Panama's
premier folk festival, involving music, dancing and parades.
Festival del Cristo Negro
Oct 21, Portobelo. The most revered pilgrimage in the country,
attracting thousands bedecked in purple robes.
