Serving as the capital of Los Santos province, Las Tablas lies on the Azuero Peninsula in Panama’s south. It is said to have been named after the wooden planks that were salvaged from a Spanish ship and used to build the town’s first houses. Las Tablas is a cultural centre for Panamanian folklore and is famed for its annual carnival.
Things to do in Las Tablas
One of Las Tablas’ most impressive buildings is the Iglesia Santa Librada, a whitewashed church that has become a site of Catholic pilgrimage. Constructed between 1671 and 1725, it features a beautiful Baroque facade and a steeple-topped bell tower. Step inside to explore the serene interior and see the gilded altar crafted from cedar wood.
Occupying the former home of a local statesman is the Museo Belisario Porras, which exhibits artefacts illustrating his life and legacy. While he was only president for a short period, Belisario Porras is widely revered for establishing public hospitals, constructing bridges and overseeing the opening of the Panama Canal. The museum is located a short stroll from Las Tablas’ main square and Parque Belisario Porras.
Coincide your visit to Las Tablas with the annual carnival, which sees competing teams of elaborately dressed locals parading through the streets. This is followed by festive dancing, fireworks and live music performances late into the night. Traditional folkloric costumes are a highlight of the Fiesta de la Pollera, which forms part of a four-day religious festival at the Iglesia Santa Librada.
Getting around Las Tablas
Las Tablas is around 30 minutes’ drive from Chitre and 40 minutes from Chitre Alonso Valderrama Airport, which has regular flights to Panama City. By road, the Panamanian capital is around four hours away. Regular buses connect to Las Tablas while the town centre is compact enough to explore on foot.