Las Tablas is the city capital of Los Santos Province, it is the second most important municipality of the Azuero peninsula after Chitre. A region that is dedicated to livestock and agricultural and industrial activity, however in tourism, Las Tablas, is a place that preserves its colonial history, churches, museums, parks and plazas. In terms of festivities, they organize the most famous carnivals where the luxury of their queens, their tunas and distinction stand out, as well as for religious festivities.
Beyond Festivities
The pandemic has not allowed its main economic engine: cultural festivities, to have been organized, however, with the gradual opening, activities begin to return and Visitors have the opportunity to visit and experience part of their history and culture:
Iglesia Santa Librada: Consecrated in 1789, its walls and the base of the pulpit in this Baroque-style church located in front of Belisario Porras Park are original, as are the painted faces of the cherubs on the ornate gold-leafed altar.
Belisario Porras Museum: South of the main square is the former home of three times President Belisario Porras, during whose administration the Panama Canal was opened. The museum contains many artifacts from the life and early times of Panama as a republic.
Los Portales: Housed in a late-stage colonial building, this low-key spot serves grilled meats and basic Panamanian dishes. In the morning, you can enjoy tasty local breakfasts.
Beaches to Enjoy the Summer
You can find a great variety of beaches in Las Tablas, but the most visited by tourists are the following:
Las Comadres Beach : It is a warm and pleasant beach, suitable for children. Its name is due to the fact that, two “comadres” were fighting and for some mystical reason they turned into stone. For that reason the first impression when arriving, is to spot the two large rocks facing each other.
Playa Uverito: This quiet beach is very pleasant, sitting on the terrace in the morning while the breeze blows and having a drink at night listening to the waves, is a unique experience.
Las Mil Polleras Festival (Thousand Polleras Festival)
Before, Las Tablas had two events of great national scope: Las Patronales de Santa Librada and Carnival, the first being held in July and the second between January and February. Now, Las Mil Polleras Festival since it started in 2010 has gained such strength and popularity that the thousands of visitors that the town receives during this festival is very similar to that of the other two events.
This festival is a tribute to those great men and women, in the elaboration of each of the details that make our typical costume considered one of the most beautiful in the world.
Every second Saturday in January, the Las Mil Polleras Parade becomes a folkloric event that concentrates for one day the dress traditions of different regions of Panama and brings together delegations from all over the country. It is very likely that this next 2022 will be one of the events to be held in person, albeit in a limited way, since it is a vital activity for the region’s economy, generating jobs based on the production and marketing of various handcrafted garments. These craft artists are the ones who bring their talents to each version of the parade. As a result, thousands of fledglings beautify the streets of Las Tablas wearing polleras from different regions.
