In the Province of Los Santos there are several small colonial towns, including La Villa de los Santos, Las Tablas and Pedasi.
However, in recent years, a type of tourism has been added that complements very well the historical and cultural aspects of this region. This experience allows you to see first-hand how food is produced in the countryside, the care given to animals in a farm, as well as living a lifestyle in balance with nature.
At Villa de Los Santos and Las Tablas, there are two farms that enhance and mix the agro-tourism experience with history. The Visitor – The Visitor selected both to show the best of our Panamanian countryside.
Finca Pamel
It is an agricultural tourism farm certified by the Panama Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Agricultural Development, owned by the same family since the beginning of the 20th century. Pablo Arosemena is the son of the original owner of the farm who acquired the land for his children, the reason why it is called “Pamel”, the combination of two names Pablo and Melanie (brothers). The production of this farm at the beginning was for family consumption, however over time they began to plant fruit trees that today part of it are exported, although the majority is for the local market.
Agricultural and Historical Experience
Since 2009 they began to invest in the improvement of the farm to adapt it to the tourist experience that Visitors can enjoy today. Finca Pamel offers day trips, lodging and spaces for events. Likewise, everything on the farm is related to a tour that shows how agricultural work was like during pre-Columbian times, since the area where it is located was an indigenous settlement, a population of the old Cubitas communities, one of the oldest in the country that dates back to the year 200 BC.
The human fossils found in the place tell how the indigenous people cultivated corn, how their life changed with the arrival of the Spanish and how the folklore of the region is related to all this history. For many Visitors the most significant moment is visiting the settlement of the Cubita population.
Personalized Tours
You can also take hiking tours of Cerro Juan Diaz ecological site, where belongings are found that were inside the tombs of the Cubitas indigenous people that were looted in the 80’s and 90’s.
They also carry out tours where each visitor learns the history of Villa de Los Santos, the place where the independence from Spain began. Each tour and service that is offered in this farm is done in a very personalized way, either with large or small groups, many times carried out by the brothers Pablo and Melanie, sometimes by certified guides that are part of the community. Always demonstrating the human warmth that highlights the Santeños.
The lodging offered at Finca Pamel is even more personal and homey since they have three rooms, where they always offer typical breakfasts. A place that creates experiences that Visitors seek to repeat over and over again.
Finca Capri Dovi
This Farm located in the Carate sector, Las Tablas District, creates experiences where each Visitor can learn about the use of soil and how to harvest in the garden, as well as experience nature where it is possible to appreciate animals in their natural habitat such as iguanas, squirrels and armadillos.
At Finca Capri Dovi everything that is used on the farm is recycle, even what the animals waste, a unique place in the central provinces. Everything that is produced on this farm is very efficient, however, they also have a very cozy tiled ranch where Visitors can put their hammocks and enjoy a very pleasant and relaxing time.
Unique Experience: Goat Breeding and Care
Goat farming and the processing of their milk is another unforgettable experience. Here they process goat’s milk and it is transformed into cheese, Greek yogurts and drinkable yogurts. Visitors can enjoy a tour, where children can feed the goats, give them a milk bottle, milk the goats and even differentiate the five types they have on the farm. They also have lambs and sheep.
Organic Garden and Don Augusto Trail
Another agro-tourism attraction of Finca Capri Dovi is the production of organic products with the waste of the goats, a totally organic garden where they demonstrate what can be done in a small space by using 100% of the space. They also offer horseback riding for children under 12 years of age, and a path called El Sendero Don Augusto´ where you can see various types of fruit trees, mint crops, honey cane, coffee crops, pitahaya, soursop, medlar, avocado, passion fruit and blackberry. However, the 130 year old mill that still works and the canopy are one of the must-see and do experiences on this farm.
