Workshop
Taller Dario LópezOne of Panama's top artisans, Dario López has been making colorful masks for folkloric dancers since the 1960s. These days most of his masks and satin…
Photo by Jackie Sullivan
Península de Azuero
Cherished as Panama's cultural heart and soul, the Península de Azuero is a farming and ranching hub. The area's rolling hills are matched by a long and lovely coastline. Over time the peninsula has seen stark transformations – from verdant rainforest to cattle country, from indigenous land to Spanish stronghold and, finally, from a quiet town to surf central and one of Panama’s travel hot spots.
The passage of time here is a countdown to the next festival, be it Carnaval, La Mejorana or Corpus Christi. Costumes range from swirling devils and dragons to curtsying reinas (queens) in traditional lace finery. Joining the throngs for these celebrations is a first-rate introduction to Panama.
Península de Azuero consists of three provinces: Herrera, Los Santos and a slice of Veraguas.
Explore Península de Azuero
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Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Península de Azuero.
Church
Iglesia San AtanasioOn the east side of Plaza Simón Bolívar, this national treasure was consecrated in 1782, although the foundation stone had been laid more than two…
Wildlife Reserve
Isla CañasIsla Cañas is one of a handful of places that olive ridley sea turtles nest in high numbers (the others are two beaches on the Pacific side of Costa Rica…
Workshop
Taller de Restauración Macario José RodriguezMacario José Rodriguez has been restoring the wooden altars and statuary of Panama’s colonial churches since the early 1980s, and this is the only such…
Wildlife Reserve
Refugio de Vida Silvestre Isla IguanaThis 53-hectare reserve is centered on a deserted island ringed by corals. The water is shallow enough for snorkeling and, as elsewhere in the Pacific,…
Museum
Museo de Herrera Fabio RodriquezThis small museum, housed in a lovely two-story colonial building, contains many well-preserved pieces of pottery dating from 5000 BC until the Spanish…
Church
Iglesia de Santo Domingo de GuzmánThis 18th-century churrigueresque (an ornate Spanish baroque style) church has some lovely carvings; check out the pulpit and the retablo (altarpiece). It…
Museum
Museo de la NacionalidadThis modest museum, on the north side of Plaza Simón Bolívar, occupies the former house where Panama’s Declaration of Independence was signed in 1821. Pre…
Workshop
Taller Carlos Ivan de LeonMaster mask-maker Carlos Ivan de Leon creates the most elaborate and frightening masks in Panama at his house just after Calle Segundo Villareal. He…
Distillery
Varela HermanosAt the Hacienda San Isidro near Pesé, 23km southwest of Chitré, Varela Hermanos, the country's largest seco (alcoholic drink made from sugarcane)…
Arts Center
Academia de Costumbres y Tradiciones Gabriel VillarrealA local training ground for young festival artists, the Academy of Customs & Traditions Gabriel Villarreal offers classes in dancing, mejorana (a kind of…
Church
Iglesia Santa LibradaThe walls and base of the pulpit in this baroque-style church on Parque Belisario Porras are original, as are the painted faces of cherubs on the ornate…
National Park
Parque Nacional SariguaSome 26km northwest of central Chitré, Parque Nacional Sarigua is arguably the most important pre-Columbian site in Panama. The archaeological site has…
Nature Reserve
Refugio de Vida Silvestre Cenegón del MangleThis 776-hectare refuge about 25km north of Chitré protects a mangrove forest at the mouth of the Río Santa María. It's an important wildlife area and…
Bird Sanctuary
Playa El AgallitoPlaya El Agallito is a mudflat created by silt deposited by the Río Parita and the Río La Villa, 9km north of Chitré. At low tide, it stretches more than…
Museum
Museo Belisario PorrasSouth of the main square is the former home of three-time president Belisario Porras, during whose administration the Panama Canal opened. The museum…
Museum
Museo Casa de Manuel F ZárateSet in the former residence of Manuel F Zárate, the folklorist devoted to conserving the traditions of the Azuero region, this museum is a good…
Factory
Ceramica Hermanos CalderónCeramica Hermanos Calderón is where you can buy traditional painted ceramics at wholesale prices. These pieces are made on the premises in a workshop…
Cathedral
Catedral San Juan BautistaUnlike many cathedrals that impress through ostentation, this 18th-century number is striking for its elegant simplicity and fine balance of gold and wood…