7/25/2019 Carnival in Panama

1/4

Carnival is one big party, to put it simply. Carnival usually involves a public

celebration (street party) and parade through the streets of the center of town.

Brazil has made carnival internationally renowned and is the most popular location in

the world to celebrate carnival. But today many cities and regions worldwide also

celebrate carnival with elaborate parades and huge parties. Rio de Janeiro stakes claim

to the largest carnival in the world, but according to some sources, Panamas carnival is

the second biggest in the world.

Carnival in Panama

Carnival has been celebrated in Panama since the early !""s. #hile the Panamanian

roots o$ the $estive celebration lie in Panama City, the $un%$illed holiday has spread to all

corners o$ the country. Panamanians put their inhibitions aside and let the party spirittake them over.

Basically the town is geographically divided down the middle to $orm the two competing

sides. &ach side chooses their own carnival 'ueen and competes to out match each

other with amazing $loats, e(travagant costumes and group dances.

)he Panamanian carnival also attracts national and international musical talent. *t is

common that towns will set up multiple concert stages throughout the designated

carnival area.

+ uni'ue $acet about Panamas carnival are the Cuelcos-, which are large water trucks

that blast music and get surrounded by people dancing in the street while being sprayed

with water.

7/25/2019 Carnival in Panama

2/4

Panamas carnival celebration has become popular thanks to the e(uberance and

magnitude o$ as )ablas, a small town in the os /antos Province on the +zuero

Peninsula. )he provincial town, about 0" miles west o$ Panama City, is considered by

many Panamanians to be the best place to celebrate carnival.

Panama City Carnival 1 /chedule

/tarting on 2riday and throughout the $ollowing $our days, many o$ the citys hotels 3oin

in the celebration and sponsor related events, either by putting on a concert, hosting

dance parties or serving $ood.

/aturday4 Beginning in the early a$ternoon, ,"""s o$ people start to $ill the street and

the bordering park areas o$ the Cinta Costera. )he a$ternoon and evening play host to a

series o$ events, including live bands playing salsa, reggae, reggaetone, and

Panamanian $olk music. )he atmosphere is trans$ormed $rom an ordinary street into an

enormous street party where everyone is drinking, dancing and socializing.

/unday4 +round the middle o$ the day /unday, a parade o$ thousands o$ women

dressed in Panamas national costume called pollera ensues in the Cinta Costera.

+ pollera is a large one%piece handmade skirt decorated with color$ul embroidery.

5onday4 +lthough 5onday may not host a special event, nevertheless it is 3ust as

e(citing as the other days. #ith streets $ull o$ party goers having a great time, a small

parade takes place and people en3oy the day dancing and drinking.

)uesday4 )uesday has the biggest carnival celebration and the largest parties in

Panama City.

*$ you are going to choose only one day to e(perience the party, )uesday is your best

choice. 6et ready $or hours o$ dancing and dont stop until you see the sun rise.

#ednesday4 )raditionally, carnival comes to an end on +sh #ednesday when a sardine

is symbolically buried at the beach and marks the start o$ $asting $or ent.

7/25/2019 Carnival in Panama

3/4

7/25/2019 Carnival in Panama

4/4