Panama Travel Info

Culture

At a
Glance

Geography

Food and Drink

The diverse range of nationalities that for centuries have given life to the Panamanian population, has enabled the emergence of a wide variety of restaurants where you will enjoy the demanding international cuisine prepared in the world’s major culinary centres.

The proximity of dominating oceans turned into unmistakable ways of access to the country offers the attraction of tasting different types of fresh, abundant and delicious typical dishes prepared by experienced specialists in the culinary art.

Likewise, the local people eat certain food, which is typical of the country, such as the popular sancocho (stew) and tamales, carimañolas, suspiro (meringue), blancmange and others that are usually attractive to the most demanding tastes.

Carnivals

Researchers have found that the earliest carnivals in Panama begun since the Spanish colonization period, where some disguised as kings and queens of Spain or as Spanish soldiers, slaves and Indians. They all departed from Peña Prieta beach, Balboa Avenue, to part of what is Santana today, simulating battles.

Those traditions underwent changes over time. Nevertheless, carnivals became more and more popular in Panama and have won a special place among the new generations to the extent that in spite of the violence rates arising from these events, carnivals are one of the most keenly anticipated fêtes by Panamanians. Why? Simply because their name is related with the act of having fun completely free from inhibitions. In these events there is plenty of “guaro” (alcohol), “guiales” (women) and “campana” (music, party and bustle).

While carnival festivities are being held, rest hours are few. Fun lasts all daylong well into the early morning and at sunrise, the crowds go back to celebrate.

Arts

Panama ’s handicraft is varied, attractive and highly disseminated, to the extent that each province has its own craft industry, namely:

Bocas del Toro : Guaymy handicraft: Chácaras (large leather bags), naguas (petticoat), chaquiras.

Coclé : Hats, baskets, toys, decoration items, stone sculptures, leather goods, hammock manufacturing.

Colón : Wood carving, net-cast fabrics.

Chiriquí : Guaymy handicraft, wood carving, leather goods.

Darién : Wood carving and fibre textiles.

Herrera : Foremost in the local production of ceramics and pottery as well as acorn hats.

Los Santos : Leather goods: furniture, stools, saddles and others. Clothing embroidery, manufacturing of skirts, hammocks, fireworks, tembleques and musical instruments.

Panama : Furniture, baskets, flower arrangements, pottery, shoemaking, wood carving, silversmith’s craft and jewellery.

Veraguas : Gold work, leather goods, embroidery, ceramics, fibre textiles and Guaymy handicraft.

San Blas: “Mola” making, a sort of decoration items made of colourful fabrics by the Indians.

Shopping and Business

Its privileged geographical position has allowed this strategically placed small nation to grow into an ever more important crossroad of the world; since before Columbus discovered America, then for the Spanish Conquistadors and now as a universally recognized trading and business center.

Panama City has large shopping districts such as the Via España, Central Avenue, etc, where you can find Boutiques, Bazaars, Gift Shops, Jewelry Stores and many modern shopping Malls. The Free Zone, located in Colon, 45 minutes from Panama City by car, is the World's largest free zone and duty free shopping area.

Panama Canal

The history of the Panama Canal goes back to 16th century. After realizing the riches of Peru, Ecuador, and Asia, and counting the time it took the gold to reach the ports of Spain, it was suggested c.1524 to Charles V, that by cutting out a piece of land somewhere in Panama, the trips would be made shorter and the risk of taking the treasures through the isthmus would justify such an enterprise. A survey of the isthmus was ordered and subsequently a working plan for a canal was drawn up in 1529. The wars in Europe and the thirsts for the control of kingdoms in the Mediterranean Sea simply put the project on permanent hold.

In 1534 a Spanish official suggested a canal route close to that of the now present canal. Later, several other plans for a canal were suggested, but no action was taken. The Spanish government subsequently abandoned its interest in the canal.

In the early 19th century the books of the German scientist Alexander von Humboldt revived interest in the project, and in 1819 the Spanish government formally authorized the construction of a canal and the creation of a company to build it. The discovery of gold in California in 1848 and the rush of would-be miners stimulated Americas interest in digging the canal.

Various surveys were made between 1850 and 1875 showed that only two routes were practical, the one across Panama and another across Nicaragua. In 1876 an international company was organized; two years later it obtained a concession from the Colombian government to dig a canal across the isthmus. The international company failed, and in 1880 a French company was organized by Ferdinand Marie de Lesseps, the builder of the Suez Canal.

In 1879, de Lesseps proposed a sea level canal through Panama. With the success he had with the construction of the Suez Canal in Egypt just ten years earlier, de Lesseps was confident he would complete the water circle around the world.

Time and mileage would be dramatically reduced when traveling from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean or vice versa. For example, it would save a total of 18,000 miles on a trip from New York to San Francisco.

Although de Lesseps was not an engineer, he was appointed chairman for the construction of the Panama Canal. Upon taking charge, he organized an International Congress to discuss several schemes for constructing a ship canal. De Lesseps opted for a sea-level canal based on the construction of the Suez Canal. He believed that if a sea-level canal worked when constructing the Suez Canal, it must work for the Panama Canal.

In 1899 the US Congress created an Isthmian Canal Commission to examine the possibilities of a Central American canal and to recommend a route. The commission first decided on a route through Nicaragua, but later reversed its decision. The Lesseps company offered its assets to the United States at a price of $40 million. The United States and the new state of Panama signed the Hay-Bunau-Varilla treaty, by which the United States guaranteed the independence of Panama and secured a perpetual lease on a 10-mile strip for the canal. Panama was to be compensated by an initial payment of $10 million and an annuity of $250,000, beginning in 1913. This strip is now known as the Canal Zone.

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