Panama is all about Culture
Through time, the Panamanian identity was forged in a great encounter of races and cultures found in the Isthmus.
Here on the Isthmus of Panama - you can find the best harmony, peace and tolerance that will swell life. The Hispanic heritage beats especially in the regions of Azuero and Coclé where tradition and culture is highly valued.
The African legacy dazzles in the showy Congo dances, a tradition settled in the province of Colon, while the native people keep alive their roots.
The Spectacular Pollera
Panamanian beauties in Red & White Polleras
(Panamanian folkloric Dress)
Red & White Pollera
Pollera is a Spanish term for a large one-piece skirt and blouse used mostly in traditional festivities and folkloric dances.
Polleras are handmade of materials, such as lace and cotton with embroideries to decorate. Normally, the dominant color is white, and adornments are colorful flower designs.
A handmade Pollera can cost from several hundred to several thousand dollars and can take up to a year to create. The gold and pearl mosquetas and tembleques head pieces in their hair provides a pollera an elegant finish.
A Thousand Polleras Festival
The Pollera is a folkloric women's attire worn during national festivals and celebrations.
The 1,000 Polleras Parade (Desfile de las Mil Polleras) which takes place annually on a Saturday in mid-January in the town Las Tablas, known as the center of folklore.
The street festival is a fitting place for the Thousand Polleras Parade, which commemorates Panamanian culture. This is a family celebration, and tourists from ALL around the world attend to join this colorful and most festive parade.
Come Celebrate with US!
Panamanian culture is a hybrid of African, Native Panamanian, and European cultures - specifically Spanish. For example, the Tamborito is a Spanish dance that was blended with Native American rhythms and dance moves. Dance is a symbol of the diverse cultures that have converge in Panama.
The Pollera & Camisilla (Men's shirt) in parade.
Panamanian Folkloric Dance
Called "Tipico" dance.
Credits by MiPollera.
Very Cosmopolitan
Since the construction of the canal, Panama is considered the Center of the World and Heart of the Universe, because people from different parts come to live, making Panama a cosmopolitan country. Photo: Casco Viejo (Colonial Panamá).
Panama's Gastronomic Experience
Panamanian gastronomy is certainly delicious and varied. It is characterized by plenty of dishes that reflect the different cultural influences that left their mark in Panamanian burners, along with modern and cosmopolitan touches in certain occasions.
Panama Historic Sites.
We will visit the most iconic sites during our travels in Panama City.
San Blas Islands
San Blas Archipelago in Panama is part of the indian Guna Yala territory.
Bridge of the America's
The Bridge of the America's spans the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal.
Fort of San Lorenzo
The 400-year-old Spanish ruins of San Lorenzo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Taboga Island
Taboga is known as the "Island of Flowers," a volcanic island in the Gulf of Panama.
Del Carmen Church
Most beautiful Gothic Historic Catholic Church in the middle of Panama City.
Old Panama
Known as Panama Viejo (Old Panama), was founded in 1519. It was the first European settlement in the Pacific.
Panama Skyline
There are 59 buildings taller than 150 meters in Panama City, according to Urban Haitat (tracks tall buildings).
Casco Viejo
San Felipe is the colonial city's heart, popular for its lively dining and nightlife scene. It's a Panamanian landmark.
The Presidency
Palacio de las Garzas (Herons' Palace). Government office and residence of the President of Panama.
The Causeway
Amador Causeway links Panama City's old town of Casco Viejo and Amador. This road is built of excavated rocks.
Baha'i Temple
The first Baha'i Temple in Latin America. From the valley, it looks like a giant white egg perched atop a hill.
Portobello
A historic port and township in the province of Colon at the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal.
Panama Canal
An artificial 82km waterway that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. Conducive to international maritime trade.
Embera Village
The indigenous traditional village of the Embera tribe who live deep in the rain forest of Panama.
Santo Domingo Convent
Historical landmark in Old Panama City (Casco Viejo). Built in 1678, destroyed by fire in 1756.
F&F Tower
The Tornillo (Screw) F&F Tower known as the Revolution Tower, with its unusual screw-like architecture, in Panama's banking district.
Congo Dancers
Traditional black heritage dancers at the coast of Panama on the Atlantic shore, Portobello.
Las Tablas
Belisario Porras Park in Los Santos. This is the colonial church of Santa Librada, the patron saint of this town.
Canal Museum
Dedicated to the United States' role in the history of Panama. It houses vital information concerning the Panama Canal.
City Subway
The newly built underground subway system in Panama City runs under the entire City - and keeps expanding.
Black Christ
The Portobello Black Christ in (Nazareno) is a wooden statue in the San Felipe Roman Catholic parish in Portobello, Colon.
Bio Museum
The first Biodiversity Museum of its kind in Central America. It was designed by Frank Gehry and opened in 2014. It is located just off the Amador Causeway.
Mi Pueblito
One of main tourist attractions in Panama is the Cerro Ancon, where the three cultures that live in Panama are represented: Afro-Caribbean, Spanish and Indigenous.
The Golden Altar
Located in the San Jose area of Colonial Panama (Casco Viejo). It's a golden altar that was saved from the pirates of the century. It was disguised with mud by the indians during the Spanish rampage.
Balboa Avenue
Vasco Nunez de Balboa, Spanish conquistador who crossed the Isthmus of Panama, the first European to reach the Pacific Ocean via the New World.
Panama Skyline
Marine corridor and expressway that facilitates express travel connecting Panamanian towns. These are newly built expressways with toll booths.