You may receive great emotions visiting Panama almost throughout the entire year, but our summer days from December to March are perhaps the best time of the year. There is the Boquete Jazz and Blues Festival from the 21st to the 24th of February and this year line up is just awesome. And of course you wouldn’t want to miss Carnival - the biggest part and without a doubt the most important fest for all the Panamanians. This year it will be held between March 2nd and March 5th.
Certainly the best, but still only one of the places to observe the Carnival is Las Tablas. The party begins 4 days before Ash Wednesday, which is the 2nd of March this year. The celebration doesn’t stop even at night or mornings, which makes most European and US celebration traditions look very modest. Some might say you will be on the lookout for a good psychologist after it is all over.
Las Tablas is a small town, so by now its best options among hotels and guesthouses might be already booked and if you are not quick enough, everything will be full before you know it. The best option would be to stay with Panamanian friends or family, but if not lucky to have them, try nearby towns like Ocu, Chitre, Pedasi. Book now for March 2 to March 5 and welcome to the party.
During the Carnival, citizens divide into two groups called tunas, Calle Arriba and Calle Abajo (Upper and Lower streets). They elect their queens and the madness begins.
From the early morning there are water, blue dye and shaving cream fights in the central square, followed by the two Tuna parades in street clothes. The party doesn’t stop at night: there are fireworks, festive dances, street performances. After the night parades, each tuna goes back to the Toldo (the base) and each unite in a huge dancing party till the break of the dawn.
Don’t forget that Carnival is not only Las Tablas tradition. From Panama City to the town Penonomé (Coclé province) almost every town will join the fest. The latter takes place on
