Lets get this party started 2012! Queens, thrones, culecos, bands and the region of Azuero becomes the capital of The Panamanian Carnival. There is no doubt that it is the most anticipated event and activity of the season. Whether in Ocu, Parita, Chitre, Villa de Los Santos, Las Tablas, Santo Domingo, San Jose, Pedasi and Tonosí, the locals welcome the visitors with the warmth that distinguishes the people in the provinces of Herrera and Los Santos. Morning and afternoon you will enjoy the ”culecos” (people in the street watering the crowd with large fire hoses), in the evening the streets are  full of decorated trucks.
You will appreciate the classic rivalry between “the tunas” of Calle Arriba (high class people) and Calle Abajo (low class) with special musical compositions. The queens also competing with each other over who has the most beautifully decorated car and costumes.

With the proximity of cities, less than one hour from one another, you can easily visit all of the locations enjoy them all. There is nothing like the carnival, which dates back to the early 1900, to experience the customs of the people in Azuero.
Be sure and be there for the closing ceremony on the last day of the celebrations as this is devoted to praising the culture and national folklore.