Is there a more vibrant, electrifying spectacle than Panama's Carnival? Prepare to be swept away by a whirlwind of color, music, and unbridled joy, where the streets erupt in a four-day celebration unlike any other.

Newsroom Panama reported that at the close of August last year, the current tourism administrator was presented with a plan to establish the Panama International Carnival Foundation. The intention was to organize the carnivals using exclusively private funding, but it seems the proposal did not come to fruition. Panamas Labor Code, specifically Article 46, designates Carnival Tuesday as a mandatory day of rest for all workers across the nation. This article, later amended by Laws No. 55 (November 7, 2001) and No. 305 (December 31, 2001), also incorporates additional days of rest for national holidays and days of mourning.

Category	Details
Name of Event	Carnival (Carnavales)
Date	Celebrated the four days prior to Ash Wednesday
Location	Panama City, Bocas del Toro, Chitr, Las Tablas, Penonom, Santiago, and various towns and villages throughout Panama
Key Features	Parades with floats, exotic costumes, music (salsa, reggae, Panamanian folkloric music), dancing, fireworks, water fights (culecos), queen coronations
Significance	Celebration of culture, heritage, and community. A major public holiday and family event.
Official Holiday	Yes, Carnival Tuesday is a mandatory day of rest.
Reference Website	Visit Panama Official Tourism Website

Having experienced Carnival in both Bocas del Toro and Panama City, the difference is stark. While Bocas del Toro is a captivating destination at other times of the year, the experience during Carnival can be significantly less appealing, with a noticeable presence of discarded beer cans and a general atmosphere more suited to those who enjoy a certain level of revelry. Panama City, by contrast, offers a much more polished and captivating experience, especially with the better floats, food, and overall ambiance.

The heart of the Panama City celebrations pulsates along the Cinta Costera and Balboa. Here, the streets transform into giant, pulsating stages for parades featuring elaborately designed floats, individuals in extraordinary costumes, and an infectious energy fueled by music, dancing, and spectacular fireworks displays. Meanwhile, Bocas del Toro, the self-proclaimed party capital of Panama, caters to a more spirited crowd, with Carnival festivities that are particularly intense. Regardless of the preference for a more relaxed or lively atmosphere, most Panamanians and a significant number of foreigners flock to the interior region of the country, specifically Chitr and Las Tablas, beginning Friday afternoon. This migration leaves Panama City surprisingly quiet, as families and friends gather to dine, rest, and converse, away from the urban hubbub.

The roots of Carnival in Panama reach back to 1910. It was when Jos Agustn Arango, then mayor of Panama City, officially sanctioned the festival and crowned Manuelita Vallarino as the first queen. While those early carnivals in Casco Viejo, Panama City, were more elegant than what one finds today, the traditions born then continue. Besides the main festivities in Panama City and the interior, numerous smaller carnivals take place in various towns and villages throughout the region. These smaller celebrations often offer unique traditions and celebrations of their own, highlighting the true diversity and multifaceted nature of Panamas Carnival.

Panama City's Carnival, relatively speaking, is a newer phenomenon. Years ago, it was a collection of neighborhood parties and street events, a much more localized and intimate affair. Now, with the Cinta Costera as the central location, the city's Carnival has exploded into a major attraction, drawing both Panamanians and international visitors.

It's Carnival (Carnavales) time in Panama, a tradition celebrated during the four days leading up to Ash Wednesday. This period transforms into a national family holiday, with the nation embracing the spirit of celebration. The city authorities are involved in making arrangements with private companies to host the Carnival.

The security forces are responsible for managing the activity, and it is expected that around 8,500 agents will be deployed. These forces are critical in ensuring the safety and order during the event, allowing the festivities to proceed smoothly and safely. The preparations for security and organization are crucial to a successful and enjoyable Carnival.

In the capital, the Cinta Costera is the central spot for parades, concerts, and street food stalls. Chitr, Penonom, and Santiago also host great Carnival celebrations, offering active fun but without the intensity and crowds of Las Tablas. Every region boasts its own queen, in Panama City's Carnival, four queens represent different cultural themes, such as culture, ecology, and ethnology.

The Panama government has invested in city renovation, including refurbished streets, improved sewage systems, and upgrades of public spaces and buildings. 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. March 4 is the official holiday known as Carnevale Tuesday, marking the climax of Panama's Carnival festivities.

Panamanians save all year to escape to the beach or the "interior" (as everything beyond Panama City is called) for the four days during Carnival. The three Carnival spots in the province of Panama are making waves. The culecos of the Carnival festival, on the Cinta Costera, in Panama City, were completely full, where attendees enjoyed the water and the artistic performances. Beginning early afternoon, it fills with people intent. Events include a queen coronation and live bands playing salsa, reggae, Panama folkloric music, and many people.

The tradition of celebrating Carnival is deeply rooted in the Christian faith, taking place in the four days leading to Ash Wednesday, which signifies the beginning of Lent. In Panama City, the Carnival queen and locals process in the streets, carrying a giant can of sardines to later bury it. The burial ritual can differ slightly in some towns within the country's interior.

When it comes to enjoying the biggest party and national celebration in Panama, be prepared for a dazzling spectacle. From the water fights (culecos) to the amazing floats, expect the unexpected. February and March are the driest months of the year. Traditionally, Carnival celebrations were limited to street fairs and neighborhood parties, but the Cinta Costera is now a central location for parades, concerts, and street food.

So, ready yourself to embrace the whirlwind of Panama's Carnival a fiesta that truly captures the heart and soul of the nation.