Bocas is only an hour's flight from Panama City.

Everything is ready for the Fair of the Sea, the most important regional celebration of Panama's Caribbean coast, scheduled September 14-18 on Isla Colón, Bocas del Toro.

Originally envisioned as a colorful tribute to the rich Caribbean heritage of the province of Bocas del Toro, the festival is rapidly gaining a more "international" flavor, due to the large numbers of foreign expats and retirees (U.S., Canadian and European citizens) who have taken up residence on the pristine islands and secluded coves of this maritime province in recent years. Expect lots of dancing and easy-going parties during the festivities, which takes place during Bocas' unusual dry season (in most of Panama, the dry season spans from December to April).

A friendly Bocas resident swimms near the Caribbean shore.

Bocas is truly a success story when it comes to tourism. Long considered a remote agricultural territory, the province became a tourist hot spot almost by accident during the 1990's. Hundreds of European tourists started to discover its pristine natural environment and many of them remained there to become hoteliers and restauranteurs. Accommodations are for the most part small and good and cater to all tastes and pockets.

Located on the northwestern region of Panama, Bocas is accessible through daily, scheduled flights (approx. one hour), departing from Marcos A. Gelabert Airport, in Albrook. An overnight bus service, ( 8-10 hours) links Panama City and Bocas. Buses depart every evening from Albrook's Gran Terminal de Transporte.

Panamanian beauties dressed in Polleras.

Washington D.C. will host the Ninth Annual "Encuentro Folklórico Panameño", a Panamanian folklore extravaganza, scheduled for September 14-18. The event, which includes performances, workshops and dinners for the Panamanian community in the U.S., will honor two outstanding Isthmian citizens: Carmela Lowe de Gobern, founding editor of the "Panama Cyberspace News" and Antonio Roberto Morgan, President/Editor of the "Presencia Panameña e Hispana" magazine (New York City.)

The event is organized by The Panamanian Folkloric Group of Washington, DC (GRUFOLPAWA, Inc.). A non-profit organization founded in 1977, GRUPOFOLPAWA is a vehicle for the promotion of Panamanian folklore, music, dance, and culture, primarily, but not exclusively, in the Washington DC metropolitan area. It participates in the city’s Cherry Blossom Parade, diplomatic community functions and local school activities.

For more information, visit the page: www.grufolpawa.com.

The city of La Chorrera, in the western sector of the province of Panama will celebrate its 150 anniversary with an operatic concert on Friday, September 9 at the San Francisco de Paula Church at 8:00 p.m. Featuring the talented voices of Indira Rodríguez, Ricardo Velásquez, Leonardo Durham and Kevin Tiboche, the concert will include a repertoire of arias and sacred pieces by renowned European composers. Admitance is free.

For more information, send an e-mail to divacentauro@yahoo.com

Long considered a "dormitory community" for the capital, La Chorrera has started to develop a character of its own, becoming the capital of the "quasi" official Western Panama Province" (For years, residents of the region between the western bank of the Panama Canal and the Pacifc beach community of San Carlos have tried to 'seceed' from the eastern part of the province).

A commercial city combining modern amenities and country charms, La Chorrera was is normally not on the average tourist's agenda, although many foreign expats (U.S., Canadian and European citizens) are starting to move to La Chorrera's burgeoning suburbs (a popular country community among them is Brisas de Los Lagos).

La Chorrera is a 30-45 minutes drive from Panama City via the Pan American Highway and the Arraijan-La Chorrera expressway.

Fiesta Alrededor del Mundo:

Panama's First lady, Mrs. Vivian de Torrijos (left) cuts the inaugural ribbon.

"Fiesta Alrededor del Mundo" ("The Around the World Festival") has become a long-awaited annual tradition for Panamanians and foreigners. Expecting to enjoy foods and folklore performances from all over the world, hundreds formed long lines to enter Atlapa Convention Center and dozens were forced to park their cars a number of blocks away. The effort, nevertheless, was well worth it.

A charity event, "Fiesta Alrededor del Mundo" is organized by Caravana de Asistencia Social, a club encompassing the wives of Panamanian and foreign diplomats.

Fiesta Alrededor del Mundo is an annual tribute to all foreign cultures represented in Panamá.

Visitors are invited to "Noche de Gala Lírica" --an operatic recital featuring Panamanian singer Ricardo Velasquez Flors, baritone, at the Balboa Union Church, September 15 at 7:30 p.m. Admittance is free.

Velasquez will be accompanied by Nicole Puga (Soprano), Indira Rodríguez (Soprano) and Salvador Ríos (Bass). For more information, call: 225-6058.

Two Latin American romantic music icons, Armando Manzanero and Marco Antonio Muñíz, will join forces during a special concert September 15 at Atlapa Convention Center.

For details, call TicketCenter at 279-1010.

One of the best regional festivals for tourists, the Mejorana Festival, takes place from Sept. 21-25. The festival shows the strong Hispanic traditions of the central provinces. Held in the town of Guararé, province of Los Santos, the event is a tribute to La Mejorana, a guitar-like folkore instrument, although it also encompasses folk fiddle competitions and a plethora of dance performances and games.

Located in the south-central region of Panama, Guararé is a five-hour drive from the capital. To get there, drivers in Panama City need to cross the Bridge of the Americas and get on the Pan-American Highway. A left turn at the town of Divisa (215 km. west of the capital), leads straight to Guararé (an hour and-a-half. Most lodging facilities are in the city of Chitré, province of Herrera.

Approximately 350 athletes from 18 countries will take part in the Central American and the Caribbean Triathlon Championship, September 10 and 11. The event starts at 8:00 a m. at the Amador Causeway, on the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. Children’s and youth categories will compete on Saturday and adult groups will do so on Sunday. There will be 10,000 in prizes.