LAS TABLAS: PANAMANIAN HERITAGE

One of the Panamanian places that the world knows best is Las Tablas, famous for its colorful carnivals, as well as for customs that make it one of Panama's best legacies. Seat of Los Santos province and located 265 kilometers from Panama City, it's a great tourist attraction that you won't want to miss.

We leave from Panama City, taking the Pan-American Highway by car in the direction of Las Tablas for about four hours. The trip is punctuated by stops along the way to enrich an already wonderful experience.

The journey's first stop is at Nata de los Caballeros, where we'll visit the first Catholic church that the Spaniards built on the American mainland. Then we'll visit another church in Parita, one that was built in the 16th century and still has its original altar. Then we'll go to Sarigua National Park, a desert that's considered one of the region's strangest natural phenomena. In the town of Los Santos we'll visit another church that was built in the 18th century.

Once in Las Tablas, home of traditional tamborito music and the national pollera dress, the group will visit the home of a well-known local folklorist, who will demonstrate and explain the different customs, musical instruments, dances and clothing now on display at the Museum of the Las Tablas Campesino.

After lunch, we'll visit the Santa Librada church, built in 1679, which has a massive gold altar. In the afternoon you'll be able to sample traditional snacks while enjoying live local music and dance show.

The next morning, after a traditional breakfast, we'll take a scenic trip to Pedasi, a little town from where we'll take a boat to Isla Iguana, a wildlife reserve with beautiful beaches and untouched vegetation.

Finally we'll return to the mainland in Las Tablas, then head back to Panama City.

lNCLUDES:

Ground transportation in air-conditioned bus.

Night accommodations in double or triple occupancy.

Breakfast and dinner.

Boat transportation to the island.

Bilingual tour guide.

MINIMUM: 5 PAX