Península de Azuero
One 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…
Must-see attractions in Península de Azuero
Península de Azuero
On the east side of Plaza Simón Bolívar, this national treasure was consecrated in 1782, although the foundation stone had been laid more than two…
Península de Azuero
Isla 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…
Taller de Restauración Macario José Rodriguez
Península de Azuero
Macario 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…
Refugio de Vida Silvestre Isla Iguana
Península de Azuero
This 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,…
Museo de Herrera Fabio Rodriquez
Península de Azuero
This small museum, housed in a lovely two-story colonial building, contains many well-preserved pieces of pottery dating from 5000 BC until the Spanish…
Iglesia de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
Península de Azuero
This 18th-century churrigueresque (an ornate Spanish baroque style) church has some lovely carvings; check out the pulpit and the retablo (altarpiece). It…
Península de Azuero
This 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…
Península de Azuero
Master mask-maker Carlos Ivan de Leon creates the most elaborate and frightening masks in Panama at his house just after Calle Segundo Villareal. He…
Península de Azuero
At the Hacienda San Isidro near Pesé, 23km southwest of Chitré, Varela Hermanos, the country's largest seco (alcoholic drink made from sugarcane)…
Academia de Costumbres y Tradiciones Gabriel Villarreal
Península de Azuero
A local training ground for young festival artists, the Academy of Customs & Traditions Gabriel Villarreal offers classes in dancing, mejorana (a kind of…
Península de Azuero
The 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…
Península de Azuero
Some 26km northwest of central Chitré, Parque Nacional Sarigua is arguably the most important pre-Columbian site in Panama. The archaeological site has…
Refugio de Vida Silvestre Cenegón del Mangle
Península de Azuero
This 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…
Península de Azuero
Playa 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…
Península de Azuero
South of the main square is the former home of three-time president Belisario Porras, during whose administration the Panama Canal opened. The museum…
Península de Azuero
Set in the former residence of Manuel F Zárate, the folklorist devoted to conserving the traditions of the Azuero region, this museum is a good…
Península de Azuero
Ceramica Hermanos Calderón is where you can buy traditional painted ceramics at wholesale prices. These pieces are made on the premises in a workshop…
Península de Azuero
Unlike many cathedrals that impress through ostentation, this 18th-century number is striking for its elegant simplicity and fine balance of gold and wood…
