'Panama Carnival' Life

ReeseW from USA (Contact Member) -

I was talking to a friend that visited Panama and he was telling me about Panama's Carnival. The carnival was in February so I can't see it this year but I still would like more information. What does the Carnival entail? Where and when is the parade in Panama city?

Comment #1 Copeland from USA (Contact Member) -

Carnaval is Panama's biggest fiesta that they celebrate. The event Carnaval lasts for 4 days straight nobody sleeps and all they do is drink and dance and watch the competition between las Reinas which are the queens. The best place to be during carnaval is the town called Las Tablas. It's known for the best parades.

Comment #2 DaConciousChick (1) from USA (Contact Member) -

Carnival is from Feb- 25th (Friday night) to Wed. Feb.29th noon.

The parade in Panama City is going to be in Via España, during the day.

At night, there will be musical shows (salsa, meringue, reggae) along the Via España.

There will be a lot of people celebrating carnival, near the Queen´s throne, and along the parade, but the rest of the city will be OK. Most of Panamanians go to their beach houses during these days, and also to experience Carnivals in the towns of the interior of the Republic (Las Tablas, Penonome, Santiago, Los Santos, Chitre, etc.) so there will be a lot of traffic to the interior. The city will look empty because there will not be any traffic.

There will be no hotels available in the towns where there is a celebration. Banks private offices, and the government are closed.

Comment #3 rowena105 from Hogstown, The Universe (Contact Member) -

I have heard a lot of good things about Carnival there. However, I think the vendors there were a little upset this year because they were supposed to be given a larger venue which would give them more room to spread out a bit.

Where they were there were not enough washrooms facilities or places to put all the garbage.

But the Carnival itself was supposed to have been wonderful.

Comment #4 Tracy from Colorado (71.211.151.98) -

DaConcious Chick (above) indicates that hotels will be impossible to get in the towns where there is Carnival celebration. Can anyone tell me which towns those are, or maybe which towns would have hotel availability away from Carnival celebrations?

My husband and I are planning a visit from mid-February through the first week in March and I'd be fine avoiding Carnival all together.

Thanks!

Comment #5 Ashley (63.176.159.212) -

I myself have been to the panama carnival and it is so awesome and amazing, you would have a lot of fun. As far as getting information on it, look it up on the internet using a search engine by typing in Panama Carnival.

Comment #6 Duke (63.176.159.182) -

As far as I know of festivals in Catholic countries like Mexico and Philippines there is this "Saint" that is the patron and the inspiration of such event. So who is the saint whose being glorified or honored in this February 25 to 29th fiesta?

Comment #7 Di-an (63.176.159.69) -

Yes spanish culture and the Catholic religion is related to the celebration but I haven't seen any Saint patron for the carnival. The only relation to the Catholicism or Christianity is the timing of the celebration, It's always celebrated 40 days before the Catholic Holy Week on usually falls in summer. Even locals are sometimes confused about the dates of the carnival too.

• info here

Comment #8 Liza Marie (63.176.159.7) -

When thinking of Carnival, most people will think of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, or New Orleans in the Unuted States...but did you know that Panama's carnival big party celebration in Panama City is the second largest in the world?

Celebrated since the early 1900's, Panama's Carnival officially begins the fourth day before Ash Wednesday; however, many celebrations begin earlier. On the actual Carnival days, most work comes to a complete stop and the main streets of Panama City are filled with parades, floats , masks, costumes and confetti. The largest celebrations take place in Panama City and Las Tablas.

Panama City Carnival schedule begins Friday before Ash Wednesday.

• www.explorepanama.com/interest/carnival/carnival.htm

Comment #9 cwemoy (63.176.159.194) -

If you intend to travel to Panama, just make your own arrangements for stay if you feel that the great number of people in the streets will be inconveniencing. Nonetheless, you might consider settling at a quiet place away from all the hustle and bustle at night. Are there some pictures of a recent Carnival?

Comment #10 Joann (63.176.159.214) -

Carnival in Panama, the most anticipated event of the year, takes place during the four days prior to Ash Wednesday. For visitors or expatriates it is an adventurous way to experience the heart of Panamanian culture.

Although most people identify Panama with the canal, it is the colorful interior of the country that defines Panamanian roots and where people return in droves to celebrate Carnival. In the daytime tanker-sized trucks spray the screaming crowds in the equatorial heat. In the evenings there are fireworks, parades, and outdoor dance clubs.

Carnival is celebrated all over the interior but is most famous in Las Tablas, Pennomene, and Los Santos. You can rent a car or take a bus to go from town to town.

I dont have any pictures of the recent Panama but i hope this link will do

• images.google.com.ph/images?hl=tl&client=firefox-a&channel=s...

Comment #11 moy (63.176.159.126) -

Great pictures indeed and beautiful women too. There are links coming along with the images for anyone interested in more info.

I think people's identification of Panama with the carnival would still be beneficial for the country as they would still want to further their curiosity over what is the driving force behind all the celebration.

There is a bit of confusion over how long the carnival lasts. Nonetheless, it seems like a good way to have a taste the country's culture.

Comment #12 cwemoy (63.176.159.137) -

This seems like a major event given that it takes place in more than one location. Is there any chance it could soon overtake the Brazilian carnival?

Comment #13 Dave (63.176.159.68) -

I think it would not. Brazilian carnival will always be Brazilian carnival and the other carnivals will not replace it.

As i have seen on videos, all of the carnivals have beautiful and wonderful people dancing non stop, with bright colorful costumes but still they have some differences with some of the details.

I love those dancing and drum beats when i watch a carnival on videos. Hope i can see the event face to face.

Comment #14 Charmaine (63.176.159.43) -

Do not compare one country's celebration over the other. Why would people or expats already in Panama do over the carnival in Brazil. A completely off topic because what we are discussing is Panama and not Brazil. Of course it would be a lot different, Brazil has been noted and coined for such carnivals.

Comment #15 Dave (63.176.159.82) -

I know that we are talking about Panama and i just comment on cwemoy's post, what on earth are you talking about?

If you would want to know more on how carnival is celebrated in panama then go see some panama carnival poster or some panama carnival pictures on the net, there are lots of them and i am sure you would get a big picture of the festival.. ciao..

Comment #16 Dulce (63.176.159.230) -

There isn't anything to argue about here people. Why not hit the search engine first and when all things fail then you can go seek the forums. Not that I am saying that the forums are less reliable, only that the answer you seek may be very be under your nose or in this case Google or Yahoo's search engine's nose hehehe. Try keying in "panama carnival", "panama festival" or "panama carnival festival" on Google, Yahoo, etc. then click the image search then see for the results. Problem solve! Then if you are not contented then this is where the forums comes in by asking other links or blogs.

Comment #17 Eve (63.176.159.204) -

Panama Carnival is surely brilliant. Brazil's Carnival had always been known to be one of the best that there is in the world, if not the best altogether. Still, I may be bias, but Trinidad and Tobago Carnival has been rightfully called, time and again, the greatest show on earth. No, people, not the greatest Carnival, but the greatest show, altogether, on par with the Olympics, the World Cup and things of that nature.

Comment #18 Chiquintira (63.176.159.198) -

The Panama Carnival

You don’t have to go all the way to Brazil to experience a Latin American Carnival. Carnival in Panama is celebrated with same revelry and abandon as New Orleans or Rio de Janeiro. Celebrated in Panama since the early 1900’s, this big party begins in the four days before Ash Wednesday. All work and seriousness stops and the main streets of Panama City are filled with parades, floats , masks, costumes and confetti. The largest celebrations take place in Panama City and Las Tablas.

Read more here:

Comment #19 Eve (63.176.159.249) - 12/03/09 20:14

I see it really is very much like Trinidad Carnival, which is recorded in history as being celebrated the two days prior to Ash Wednesday, namely, Carnival Monday and Carnival Tuesday, still, celebrations normally begin even the entire year prior to Carnival coming around, just after Christmas. Even prior to Christmas Carnival parties are already being thrown, all over the country.

Comment #20 Eve (63.176.159.115) - 12/08/09 10:47

This is why people consider this little Caribbean island as the number one destination for Carnival, and so on.

Comment #21 Eve (63.176.159.21) - 12/15/09 19:05

Does anyone know of the true number one Carnival Destination in the world. Certainly, Brazil has been recognized time and again and for many a year, as well, for its wonderful carnival celebration.

Comment #22 Girly (63.176.159.213) - 12/27/09 23:48

Brazil, Panama and Costa Rica. I had watched carnival celebrations on this countries via the television and I must say that they are all wonderful. But if I have to choose on the three. I have to pick Brazil. Think there are so much to see and experience on Carnivals. Ciao.

Comment #23 Carmi (63.176.159.113) - 01/17/10 20:03

The Panama carnival is one of a kind. I must admit that the carnival in this country is a must see and lots of tourists also wants to come join the fun in the carnival. I would also want to try and experience the carnival in Panama, I think I have to free myself with schedules and would try to be there this year, I am excited to be part of the carnival.

Comment #24 Martin (63.176.159.62) - 02/10/10 22:03

Well i just hope that you will find time to visit Panama and see what is in store for you. I have to say that the carnival in Panama is one of the great carnival ever. I am not surprised to hear those words from you Carmi and just like you, I am also hoping to see the carnival myself. Well then, let us hope that we find the time to do so.

E-Mail:         

Name:            (required)

Title:           (required)

Message (do not enter emails or links or urls in the message!):