Panama Equity

PA: +507 320-4310

+507 6103-4617

  • Start Here
  • Panama Properties
    • For Sale
    • For Rent
    • Sell Your Property in Panama
    • Buildings in Panama
    • Panama City Pre-Construction Listings
    • Beach Building Directory
  • Panama Info
    • About Us
    • Guides & Downloads
    • News & Insights
    • List Your Property
    • Property Management in Panama
  • Join Our Team
  • Contact Us
  • Start Here
  • Panama Properties
    • For Sale
    • For Rent
    • Sell Your Property in Panama
    • Buildings in Panama
    • Panama City Pre-Construction Listings
    • Beach Building Directory
  • Panama Info
    • About Us
    • Guides & Downloads
    • News & Insights
    • List Your Property
    • Property Management in Panama
  • Join Our Team
  • Contact Us
  • Start Here
  • Panama Properties
    • For Sale
    • For Rent
    • List Your Property
    • Panama City Building Directory
    • Panama City Pre-Construction Listings
    • Beach Building Directory
  • Panama Real Estate Guides
    • About Us
    • Blog & Guides
      • Panama News & Insights
    • List Your Property
  • Join Our Team
  • Contact Us
  • PA: +507 320-4310
  • WhatsApp +507 6103-4617
  • Start Here
  • Panama Properties
    • For Sale
    • For Rent
    • List Your Property
    • Panama City Building Directory
    • Panama City Pre-Construction Listings
    • Beach Building Directory
  • Panama Real Estate Guides
    • About Us
    • Blog & Guides
      • Panama News & Insights
    • List Your Property
  • Join Our Team
  • Contact Us
  • PA: +507 320-4310
  • WhatsApp +507 6103-4617

Blog

Girl in costume on a float in a parade

Carnival in Panama: A Celebration Like No Other

Author

Kent Davis (PJ-0752-09)

Published on

February 10, 2023

Updated on

February 14, 2025

Carnival is a popular cultural celebration that takes place in many countries around the world, and Panama is no exception. The event occurs annually and spans the four days leading up to Ash Wednesday.For most of Panama, it is a family holiday.

Lively music, dance, colorful costumes, and an upbeat atmosphere define Carnival.

The festivities kick off this year on the evening of Friday 17th February with the coronation of the Carnival Queen, followed by dancing in the streets through the night.

On the morning of Saturday 18th February, La Mojadera – the Water Hose starts. From about 9am onwards in the central plaza and other open areas throughout the city and in other towns, cistern trucks (culecos) will water-hose (mojadera) people for a few hours, this is usually accompanied by loud music, entertainment, and lots of beer and seco. If you go out, be prepared for people to throw water at you—it’s tradition to get soaking wet, so dress accordingly. As it’s the hottest time of the year, it can be a pretty welcome experience for a lot of people.

After all the excitement of La Mojadera and the morning’s partying, everyone goes home to chill out, rest and prepare themselves for the evening festivities. Panamanians love to party late!!!

Image of a large crowd of people and people throwing water at each other during Carnivals in Panama

Carnavals

In the evening, the parade starts. The parades typically feature floats (“topones”), bands of mostly trumpets and drums (“tunas”), and, of course, the Carnival Queen and her court in elaborate costumes. The parades have a different theme each night. People from all over the country and abroad come to Panama City to take part in this lively celebration and to show off their costumes. The parade is a mesmerizing display of vibrant colors, intricate designs, and rhythmical movements, as the participants dance through the streets of the city to the beat of music from the Carnival bands.

Another aspect of Carnival in Panama that stands out is the tradition of “polleras.” The pollera is a traditional dress worn by Panamanian women and is considered an important symbol of the country’s culture and heritage. It is a long skirt made of fine cotton or wool, adorned with intricate embroidery, lace, and ribbons, which is accompanied by expensive jewelry mostly of gold. Women from all walks of life wear the pollera during the Carnival celebration, showcasing their cultural pride and love for their country.

Image of a woman dressed in the traditional Panama costume with colourful flower clips in her hair

Panama Costume

Alongside the Grand Parade and the polleras, Carnival in Panama is also celebrated with a variety of other activities, such as live music performances, street food stalls, and cultural exhibitions, and of course, this wouldn’t be a Panamanian celebration without an excessive amount of fireworks! The streets are alive with energy and excitement, as people of all ages come together to dance, sing, and have a good time.

The final activity of Carnival is done in the early hours of the morning on Ash Wednesday and is called the ‘Entierro de la Sardina’ – ‘Burial of the Sardine’. The Carnival Queen leads the final parade like a funeral procession and the symbolic sardine is carried in a coffin to its burial spot. This tradition was an import from Spain and signifies the end of partying and the beginning of the 40 days of Lent. Due to the high Catholic population of Panama, Ash Wednesday is considered an important day across the country, signifying the first day of Lent leading them through to Easter.

Whether you are a local or a visitor, Carnival in Panama is an event not to be missed.

Kent Davis (PJ-0752-09)

Kent Davis, founder of Panama Equity Real Estate, is a leading expert in Panama’s competitive real estate market. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, he holds a Marketing Information Systems degree from James Madison University. After a successful corporate career managing multimillion-dollar inventories at Hajoca Corporation, Kent pursued his dream of living abroad, moving to Panama in 2007.
Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, he established Panama Equity to connect buyers, sellers, and investors with Panama’s top properties. Known for his transparency, expertise, and market insights, Kent has helped hundreds navigate Panama’s real estate landscape. Fluent in Spanish, he frequently publishes market reports to empower clients with informed decisions.
Beyond real estate, Kent is passionate about Panama’s culture, landscapes, and surf-friendly beaches. He lives in Panama with his wife and three sons, embracing the vibrant lifestyle the country offers.

 #culture, #panamacity, Life in Panama

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Welcome to Hola Panama: Build Your Network Before You Move!
  • Why El Cangrejo Might Be the Coolest Neighborhood in Panama City
  • What $1,000,000 Gets You in Panama
  • Panama Real Estate Market Report for Q1 2025: A Market in Transition
  • English Speaking Churches in Panama

Recent Comments

  1. Matthew Marx (PJ-0752-09) on Panama City Penthouse for Sale: Prime Amador Causeway Location with Bay and Skyline Views
  2. Kent Davis (PJ-0752-09) on Hacienda Styled Home With 1 HEC Lot For Sale In Altos Del Maria
  3. Tracy Payne on Remodeled from Top To Bottom: El Cangrejo Penthouse for Sale
  4. Linda Keeton on Panama City Penthouse for Sale: Prime Amador Causeway Location with Bay and Skyline Views
  5. Karayan on Hacienda Styled Home With 1 HEC Lot For Sale In Altos Del Maria

Featured Properties

32
Featured
Homes, Mountain
For Sale
Image of the outside of this el valle property for sale showing the entrance to the main entrance and driveway

El Valle Home for Sale with Two Income Generating Casitas

El Valle, Distrito de Antón, Coclé, 0212, Panama
Added: February 5, 2025
Bedrooms
4
Bathrooms
4.5
Area
348 m2
For Sale

$639,000

Catherine (PJ-0752-09)
33
1
Featured
Homes, Mountain
Sold

Impeccable Three-Bedroom Home for Sale in El Valle de Anton

El Valle, Distrito de Antón, Coclé, 0212, Panama
Added: January 16, 2025
Bedrooms
3
Bathrooms
3
Area
175 m2
Sold

$495,000

Catherine (PJ-0752-09)
31
1
Featured
Condos, Luxury Properties
For Sale
Penthouse Amador for Sale

Panama City Penthouse for Sale: Prime Amador Causeway Location with Bay and Skyline Views

Amador Causeway, Isla Naos, Ancón, Distrito de Panamá, Panamá Province, Panama
Added: August 27, 2024
Bedrooms
2
Bathrooms
2
Area
220 m2
For Sale

$550,000

Matthew Marx Matthew Marx (PJ-0752-09)

Search

Categories

  • Areas
  • Culture
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Exploring & Living in Panama
  • Finance & Banking
  • Food and Shopping
  • Healthcare
  • Immigration & Visa
  • Investment
  • Law
  • Legal – Insurance
  • Lifestyle
  • Panama Blog
  • Politics
  • Pre-Construction
  • Projects
  • Purchasing
  • Renting
  • Reports & Outlook
  • Restaurants
  • Retirement
  • Selling
  • Sports
  • Stay/Hospitality
  • Tax
  • The Panama Real Estate Market
  • Travel & Transportation
  • Work & Business
Follow our Blog

Contact Us

  • Edificio Sortis, Oficina 20th Floot Obarrio, Panama
  • PA. +507 320-4310
  • +507 6103-4617
  • lisa@panamaequity.com

Account Links

  • Log In / Register
  • Log Out
  • Privacy Policy

Real Estate

  • For Sale
  • For Rent
  • List to Sell

Guides

  • Moving Guide
  • Buying Guide
  • Renting Guide
  • Travel Guide

City Locations

  • Panama City
  • Avenida Balboa
  • Casco Viejo
  • Costa Del Este
  • El Cangrejo
  • Obarrio
  • Santa Maria

Mountain Locations

  • Altos Del Maria
  • El Valle De Anton
  • Sorá

Beach Locations

  • Bocas Del Toro
  • Buenaventura
  • Coronado
  • Gorgona
  • Ocean Reef
  • Playa Blanca
  • Punta Pacifica
  • Rio Mar

References

  • Exploring Living in Panama
  • Panama Real Estate Market
  • Food & Shopping
  • Immigration & Visa
  • Panama Politics
  • Restaurants

Panama Insights

Welcome to Hola Panama: Build Your Network Before You Move!

Why El Cangrejo Might Be the Coolest Neighborhood in Panama City

What $1,000,000 Gets You in Panama

Panama Real Estate Market Report for Q1 2025: A Market in Transition

English Speaking Churches in Panama

Panama to China: Don’t Let the Door Hit You On the Way Out

Panama, China, and the U.S.: What’s The Next Move For Panama?

Exploring Schools in Panama: A Guide for Parents

Panama Equity

Ⓒ 2025 - All Rights Are Reserved

  • enEnglish
    • esEspañol

Owning a home is a keystone of wealth… both financial affluence and emotional security.

Suze Orman
May 25, 2025 Sunday!
Panama Equity
  • Login
  • Register
Forget Password?