Big country fair in Azuero
closes the dry season

"Diablicos sucios" and "empollerada" ladies are some of the
attractions visitors to the Feria Internacional de Azuero will surely enjoy.

Country fair season is drawing to a close and the culminating event is the International Fair of Azuero (Feria Internacional de Azuero) starting Thursday, April 24. Visitors can enjoy the last of the dry season festivities in Panama’s central province of Los Santos through Sunday, May 4. The event is a joint effort by the neighboring Herrera and Los Santos provinces. It takes place in the town of La Villa, which is five minutes past the city of Chitré on the road that continues south to Las Tablas and Pedasí.

Estimates say that some 200,000 to 300,000 people visit the fair each year, travelling from all over the country to the center of Spanish cultural heritage in Panama: the Azuero Peninsula. Expect to see many folkloric presentations, perhaps floats in parades, or masked locals reveling in the streets. Musical presentations, mechanical rides, activities for children - and of course - typical food will abound.

Another aspect of the fair is agricultural exposition by local producers. Local government also takes the opportunity to display their projects and progress.

Take a 255 km drive from Panama City, or access the town of La Villa via bus from the Albrook Terminal. Air Panama flies to nearby Chitré on Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. and on Fridays and Sundays at 3:00 p.m., returning shortly after on the same day to Panama City. Tickets are $70 each way and the airport is just a $3, five minute taxi ride from the fair. Call Air Panama at 315-9000.

Hotel Los Guayacanes is located close to the fairgrounds, but as of press time they had no more weekend availability. Rooms start at $99 for two people with breakfast and tax included. Call 996-9758 or visit www.losguayacanes.com Several hotels for all budgets are in Chitré, but availability is the main issue during the fair. More hotels are also available in the nearby town of Las Tablas.

Many locals let out a room in their house or rent out a whole house for visitors during festivities in the region and it is not uncommon for visitors to simply arrive to town and begin asking around for lodging if no hotels are available.