Panama Local Customs

  Pollera de Baila
by bilgeez
 
  • Pollera de Baila
      Pollera de Baila
    by bilgeez
  • Carnaval float in Las Tablas 2007
      Carnaval float in Las Tablas 2007
    by bilgeez
  • Main altar with Santa Librada statue
      Main altar with Santa Librada statue
    by bilgeez
  • Pollera de Jovena
      Pollera de Jovena
    by bilgeez
  • Pollera de Jovena
      Pollera de Jovena
    by bilgeez
 
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THE FLAG OF PANAMA

by DAO

The flag of Panama was designed by the first President of a fully independent Panama, Manuel Amador Guerrero. It was adopted in 1903 and has not changed since. The flag itself is a rectangle divided into 2 white rectangles with a red and a blue rectangle. There is a blue star in the upper white rectangle in the hoist position. There is also a red star in the other white rectangle.The white spaces are there to symbolise peace. The red and blue colours represent the 2 political parties - the Liberals (red) and the Conservatives (blue).There are alternative meanings for the colours. This has the red symbolising the blood shed by patriots during independence. The blue representing the 2 oceans connected by the canal – the Pacific and the Caribbean.

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local food

by gabbs

Try the following local dishes:"ceviche", raw fish on lemon juice, onion, and other spices."arroz con pollo", rice mixed with chicken and usually, some chopped vegetables."arroz con piña", a beverage made of rice and pineapple (sounds very strange, I know, but tastes great)."chicheme", a drink made of corn, tastes like oatmeal."patacones", my favorites, are fried plantain."tortillas", usually made of corn."hojaldra" are like fried breads...

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Traditional dresses

by elsadran

Pollera is the traditional dress of Panamanians. The origin of Pollera is not certain but it has probably developed from the Spanish dresses of the 17th century. It is not only a rich full skirt with the flower designs and many gathers. It is accompanied by complicated hair styles, gold combs and elaborate ornamental pins. It was possibly a countryside dress originally but nowadays it is worn with pride and it is undeniably beautiful!Indigenous people are about 12%. It is almost certain that they lived on the land much before the conquistadors came. Although they have been greatly influenced by the modern way of living and dressing they are trying hard to maintain and revive their culture, language and traditional customs.Embera and Waounan share the same lands and have a lot of cultural similarities. Traditionally Waounan were artists whereas Emberas were warriors. The majority live in...

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Pants in 90 degree weather

by Tropicsol

One of the only things I didn't care for in Panama was that men are expected to wear pants, at least all the locals do. You will stand out as a tourist for sure with shorts on anywhere besides the beach. The steamy climate cries for as little clothing as possible, so who cares how they look at you! I go for comfort and style.Local women wear stylish clothing, lots of tight fitting jeans! They are very feminine in appearance and dress. So for traveling women as long as you dress nicely you won't be looked upon unfavorably.Clothing stores are abundant in Panama and David, great prices and service.

Kuna lifestyle part 2

by alza

Kuna men have adopted the Western way of dressing, although I noticed that they are conservative and cover up more than the majority of men in the Caribbean. Their demeanor reflects this: they are quiet to the point of effacement. I forgot to mention that the Kunas are a matriarchal society. This may have to do with that...I only spent 2 days on a Kuna island but it was immediately clear that the mothers, aunts and daughters are the leading members and the progressive ones. The men are in charge of the fishing, hacking up the coconuts, cleaning out the debris (I just invented this because it would make sense but no one ever picked up a coconut hull (husk?) when we were there), cutting wood for the cabanas, etc. I think they also weave baskets and fire up the barbeque. Big islands have a chief who acts like a mayor. Our island was small and I don't think there was a chief there. One lil...

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Kuna life today

by alza

The Kuna Indians living on the many islands of the Archipelago de San Blas are thought to be descendants of the Carib Indians. I'd read that in a book I found at the hostel in Granada, Nicaragua, where I spent many hours trying to locate the best-sounding islands on a barely readable map of Panama and the Archipelago. There were so many to choose from, so many to avoid (insalubrious, overrun by tourists, etc.) that I was almost resigned to the idea that I'd never be able to arrange my visit there.Well anyway, I arrived in Panama City directly from Costa Rica and spent a few days there before leaving for Portobelo and the crossing to Colombia. To my surprise, I saw many Kuna women in the city, easily identifiable by their highly-colourful dress and black drawings on their bodies. The Kunas I saw all looked like the Caribs I'd seen in old drawings! They must have been strong and resilient...

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Pringles and Beer

by epicult

Buy a cylinder of Pringles, get a free beer.If this is not a local custom, it should be!!! The marketing is pure brilliance. When I'm in the mood for Pringles, I'm in the mood for beer! Boy,.. did I have my share of this common combo. hahaha...

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Don't pack short-shorts

by Primate

Given the heat and humidity of Panama, you'd probably expect the people to dress in a casual, bare legs sort of way. They don't. Even at the hottest times of day in the hottest seasons, the men and women of Panama dress in suits and dresses. That's not to say that tourists are expected to dress that way as well, but it would be insulting to wear halter tops or bikini tops and short skirts for example. Dress comfortably but be sensitive to their standards of propriety.

Greeting in Panama

by snoopy9109

In Panama, people tend to use the single word " Buenas" for greeting. Rather then "Buenos Dias" or "Buenos Tarde" etc. People tend to greet when they walk into a store, waiting room or just passing, this means greeting to total strangers.

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The friendly people of San...

by kathycollins

The friendly people of San Blas are born salesmen, and quietly encourage you to buy their wares without aggressively mobbing you like they do on the streets of Cartegena Columbia! They will willingly pose for pictures if you give them a dollar! But they cover their faces as you are taking a shot of the rows of merchandise displayed!

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Local traditions and culture in Panama

Top 3 Hotels in Panama

Hotel Plaza Paitilla  Panamá City

 5 Reviews and 72 Opinions  If you're used to staying in hostels or other South American hotels...you'll have no problem with... 

 Hotels in Panamá City

Garden of Eden Resort  Bocas del Toro

 158 Opinions

 Hotels in Bocas del Toro

Valle Escondido Resort Golf & Spa  Boquete

 68 Opinions

 Hotels in Boquete

151 Hotels in Panama
 
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Reviews and photos of Panama attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Panama sightseeing.

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Local Customs: Cities in Panama
  1. Panamá City Local Customs
  2. Bocas del Toro Local Customs
  3. Las Tablas Local Customs
  4. Boquete Local Customs
  5. Isla Taboga Local Customs
  6. Chitré Local Customs
  7. David Local Customs
  8. El Valle Local Customs
  9. Cambutal Local Customs
  10. Guadalupe Local Customs
  11. Boquete Local Customs
  12. Guararé Local Customs
  13. Los Santos Local Customs

More Cities in Panama

 

Popular Regions in Panama

Provincia de Panamá Local Customs  Provincia de Bocas del Toro Local Customs  Provincia de Los Santos Local Customs  Provincia de Chiriquí Local Customs  Provincia de Coclé Local Customs  Provincia de Colón Local Customs  Provincia de Herrera Local Customs  Provincia del Darién Local Customs  Provincia de Veraguas Local Customs  Comarca de San Blas Local Customs 

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  For reasons that will take too long to explain, I'm in dire need of help as to where to stay for a short trip to Panama. It's for... 

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A: There are a couple of all inclusive resorts on Playa Bonita. I think the nicer ones are the Intercontinental and the Westin (opened a couple of months ago). However, if... 

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