|
LAS TABLAS was founded in the seventeenth century by refugees fleeing by sea from Panama La Vieja after its destruction by Henry Morgan. The settlers dismantled their ships to build the first houses, hence the town's name: Las Tablas means "the planks". Turn up at any other time of year and it's almost impossible to believe that this quiet colonial market settlement hosts the wildest Carnaval celebrations in Panama, but for five days in February the place is overwhelmed by visitors from all over the country who come here to join in the festivities. The town divides into two halves - Calle Arriba and Calle Abajo - that fight a pitched battle with water, paint and soot on streets awash with a seemingly endless supply of Seco Herrerano, the peninsula's vicious firewater. The fiesta of Santa Librada in July is less raucous but just as colourful, and incorporates the pollera fiesta - the pollera being the painstakingly embroidered colonial-style dresses characteristic of the peninsula that are something of a national symbol, and which are produced in the town.
Your Tip for Las Tablas
Help other backpackers! Write your own guides and backpacking tips to Las Tablas - they will appear instantly on this page - Please only write a tip/guide to Las Tablas - visit the main Las Tablas forum to ask a question!
Please do not post links to your site here (they won't work) - please use the Las Tablas webguide section below! Thanks.
| 
