Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NOVEMBER
Primer Grito de la Independencia
Nov 10, La Villa de los Santos. The “First Cry of
Independence”, celebrated as part of “El Mes de la Patria”. Patriotic flag-waving parades
and marching bands, attended by the president.
Public holidays
Panama has several national
public holidays
, during which most government offices, busi-
nesses and shops close. When the public holidays fall on or near a weekend the government
often grants a last-minute
puente
(bridge), usually a Monday or a Friday, making a long
weekend and prompting a mass exodus from the city to the beach or the countryside, with a
scramble for plane tickets and accommodation.
qppstudio.net/publicholidays.htm
is a good
source of up-to-date information. Note that services shut down in Panama City on August 15
to celebrate the foundation of Panamá La Vieja, while other towns and cities have their own
multi-day festivities during which most services close down.
Over many public holidays, as well as during national elections,
ley seca
(literally
dry law
)
is enacted, which means that, theoretically, alcohol can't be purchased or consumed during
that period.
NATIONAL PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Jan 1
Año Nuevo. New Year's Day.
Jan 9
Día de los Mártires. Martyrs' Day, in remembrance of those killed by US troops in the
1964 flag riots.
Feb
Carnaval. Four days up to and including Ash Wednesday.
March-April
Viernes Santo (Good Friday).
May 1
Día del Trabajo. Labour Day.
Nov 3
Separación de Panamá de Colombia. Anniversary of the 1903 Separation from Co-
lombia and primary Independence Day.
Nov 4
Día de la Bandera. Flag Day.
Nov 5
Día de Colón. Celebrating the city's Separation from Colombia.
Nov 10
Primer Grito de la Independencia. “First Cry of Independence”, marking the unilat-
eral declaration of independence from Spain in La Villa de Los Santos.
Nov 28
4 Independencia de Panamá de España. Independence from Spain - 1821.
Dec 8
Día de la Madre. Mother's Day.
Dec 25
Día de Navidad. Christmas Day.
