Veraguas Province
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Veraguas Province

This unique Panamanian province, located four hours by car from Panama City, is the only one that
possesses both Atlantic and Pacific coasts. This region, like Chiriqui, is home to the Guaymi Indians.
The majority of its inhabitants work in the agricultural sector, being one of the country’s largest grain
producers and possessing numerous coffee and sugar plantations. Furthermore, the Veraguas livestock
is one of the country’s finest. The capital of Veraguas, Santiago, is among Panama’s cities that are
currently undergoing the greatest economic growth.

It is the land of the immortal Indian Urraca, who revolted against Spanish domination.

Popular expressions allows its people to evoke his beliefs and customs, proof of which lies in the social
and cultural events, where the people’s spirit of sociability is made obvious.

Another interesting aspect of the region is its tourism potential, which could be a significant source of
economic development. The Veraguas province has many factors on its side, since it already possesses
coasts on both oceans and a great number of tourist points of interest, many of which have still not been
explored since they are inaccessible and lack economic resources.

Islands:
Veraguas possesses 40 islands, the principal ones being: Coiba, possessing 493 square
kilometers/190 square miles (Panama’s largest island) and Cebaco, possessing 80 square
kilometers/30 square miles. Also, there is Jicarón, Leones, Gobernadora, Verde, Canal de Afuera,
Ranchería, Papagayo, las Contreras and Jicarita.


Handicrafts:
The Veraguas Province is known for its great diversity of handicrafts, legacy of the different cultures that
have made this land their home. The artwork and crafts of Veraguas have been recognized on both
national and international levels.

We find typical artistic works all over the region, including:
•        Replicas of huacas (objects that represent something revered) in reinforced cement (Atalaya)
•        Gold and Silver Work (Atalaya and Santiago)
•        Pottery and Ceramics (La Peña and Santiago)
•        Leather Goods y (La Colorada),
•        Indigenous chaquiras, chácaras, and naguas (Las Palmas and El Piro)  
•        Headwear (Guabal de Santa Fé, Las Palmas and Tebario de Ponuga)  
•        Crochet Weaving (Santiago and Las Palmas)  
•        Snail Curtains (Coiba)
•        Sinks, washtubs, y stools (Calobre)  
•        Tulles y calabazos (Santiago)  
•        Doll making (Santiago)  
•        Jewelry made of fish scales (Santiago)  

Where to Go:
The Veraguas Province is located in the central part of the Republic of Panama and is the only province
that possesses coasts on both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The province possesses 11 districts, of
which Montijo and Santiago form part of the Azueros Peninsula. The other districts are Atalaya, Calobre,
Cañazas, La Mesa, Las Palmas, Río de Jesús, San Francisco, Santa Fé, and Soná.

  • Santiago, Capital of Veraguas

  • Parque Nacional Cerro Hoya

  • Parque Nacional Isla Coiba

  • Reserva Forestal La Yeguada

Festivals:
  • Soná: Agricultural-Industrial. One of the country’s oldest (March).
  • Santa Fé. Agricultural  (January 30 to February 2).
  • Rodeo Viejo, Soná: Agricultural Handicrafts (January 28 to 30)
  • Arenas (Montijo): The festival of the South (Agricultural, Artisan and Folkloric) (February 20 to 23).

Other places to visit:
Atalaya

Calobre
•        Pozos de aguas termales en las comunidades de El Potrero y Chitra
•        El Bajadero de Chitra
•        Salto El Berrocal de Chitra

Reserva Forestal La Yeguada and Laguna La Yeguada
•        Volcan de la Media Luna (Halfmoon Volcano)
•        Hidroeléctrica La Yeguada (La Yeguada Hydroelectric Power Station)

Cañazas
•        Mouth of the Cafi River
•        Los Valles Community, reforestation area (Project)
•        Thermal Wells

La Mesa
•        Salt water wells, called "El Salado”
•        El Barco de Piedra (The Stone Ship), Cerro San Cristóbal
•        Spas: El Chorro, Estudiantes, Las Mulas and Río San Pablo

Las Palmas
•        Pixvae and Pajarón Beaches
•        Waterfall: “El Salto” (natural recreational area)

Montijo:
•        Cerro Hoya National Park
•        The folklore and traditional Festivals (Torito Guapo and el Tamborito Montijano)
•        Aquatic Festival (Second Sunday in January)
•        La Reina and Torio Beaches (Surfing) and Malena Beach
•        Banco Hannibal (deep-sea fishing)

Río de Jesús:
El Arbol de Granadillo (The Little Pomegranate Tree)

San Francisco:
Spas: del Río Santa María, El Salto, El Bejucal, Las Dos Bocas, El Gatú (in San Juan).

Santa Fe:
•        Calovébora Beach
•        Spas: Rio Mulabá, Quebrada de Muelas
•        Scenic Areas: Alto de Piedra, El Alto (Eco-Tourism), Cerro Tute
•        Santa Fe National Park Project
•        Petroglyphs

Soná:
•        Santa Catalina Beach (Surfing, Honda Bay, Icaco Beach)
•        Father Guembe Mausoleum