One of the things Panamanians do really, really well is party. I often laugh when recently arrived transplants start to realize there are a lot of holidays celebrated in Panama and many times those holidays run together with odd consequences.
Some holidays involve not being able to purchase liquor; others, include getting soaked by prowling water trucks or scare crow like creatures being set on fire releasing wishes or regrets. Other holidays just close the banks and government offices while many will shut the entire country for days. My advice is to sit back, relax and observe. Nothing is going to stop an all out holiday in Panama.
Holidays are Busy in Coronado
“I can’t get to the grocery,” one new Coronado resident complained to me recently. “What’s with all the closed turning lanes and people are everywhere,” she continued in amazement.
Indeed, Coronado is especially hard hit on holidays because many Panamanians, who live and work in the city, maintain a home at the beach. A four-day week-end or family-focused holiday, means the entire extended family will drive to Coronado for celebrating. Cars, loaded with supplies and people, clog the roads in and around Coronado. To ease the flow of traffic, often times turning lanes are barricaded and it takes hours to make the 50 minute trip to the beach.
I started to tell my flummoxed friend about the month of November, but thought there was enough time and holidays before then, to exempt me from being the one delivering bad news. There are so many holidays in November, it’s often referred to as the “dead month”.
November 1st is the Day of the Dead when everyone pauses to visit deceased relatives by visiting grave sites all over the country. Family gatherings culminate the day. November 3rd is our first Independence Day which celebrates Panama’s separation from Columbia.
Don’t bother to think about doing anything on November 2nd, which isn’t a holiday, but will result in workers not showing up and appointments not kept. There will be hangovers!
November 4th is Flag Day and then November 5th is Colon Day. That celebration piggybacks on Independence Day and celebrates holding the city of Colon against the Colombians.
Panamanians attempt to do a little business until November 10 when they celebrate First Cry Of Independence. That’s celebrating the uprising of Los Santos and then there is November 28th which celebrates Panama’s independence from Spain.
Because Panama is such a melting pot, you have holidays celebrated that have nothing to do with Panama. We love American Thanksgiving, turkey and the trimmings, and the Jewish holidays will result in businesses closing without warning. You forget that your favorite electronics store is owned by a Jewish family and Rosh Hashanah means lights out.
Chinese Holidays and Carnaval
Because Chinese laborers built much of the Panama Canal there is a strong Chinese influence in Panama. We recently celebrated New Year and the Year of the Monkey. Most convenience stores are owned by Chinese families and they will close without any warning.
But the celebration to beat all celebrations is Carnaval. It’s bigger than Christmas. While people are celebrating the three or four day run up to Ash Wednesday, from Rio de Janerio to Paris, we aren’t doing bad here in the capital of Central America.
The main street along the Bay of Panama, Avenida Balboa known as the Cinta Costera, is closed for days of partying, parading, crowning of Queens and their courts, food stalls, drinking and music. That is where the water hosing is in full-effect for all party-goers and the hoopla doesn’t stop until the sun comes up and it’s time to go to church and get some ashes on your forehead.
A Big Carnaval
Panamanians LOVE Carnaval. Think Mardi Gras on steroids. Most expats make sure they have enough food and drink and simply hunker down for the duration. The fireworks at night are spectacular but the traffic and lines for the bathrooms and food trucks are a nightmare. Traffic and business come to a stop in Panama City and towns and hamlets all around the country close and celebrate.
After the Carnaval celebrations you run into Easter which lasts at least four days. Labor Day on May 1st is just around the corner and don’t forget Mother’s Day in Panama is December 8th. You might want to celebrate national Canada Day on July 1st or ANZAC Day in April if you are Australian. There is always a day to celebrate.
Some holidays are bigger than others but you can forget getting anything accomplished in November. Try not to let all the partying upset you and just plan ahead. It’s much easier that way!!
