How to Celebrate Easter in Panama

Experience Easter in Panama, where colonial Casco Viejo comes alive with religious processions while beaches offer family celebrations along both coasts.

Easter in Panama is one of the country’s most significant religious and cultural celebrations. During Semana Santa, the historic district of Casco Viejo in Panama City becomes a focal point for religious observances, with colonial-era churches hosting processions that attract thousands of local and international visitors. These celebrations have grown substantially in recent years.

Beyond the capital, many towns stage their own unique renditions of Easter traditions, with theatrical reenactments of the passion and crucifixion that draw both locals and visitors. Meanwhile, the combination of time off work and the approaching rainy season means many Panamanians head to the beach during this time. A Panamanian Easter combines heartfelt traditions with a laid-back vibe. If you’re eyeing a trip at this time of year, Panama is worth checking out.

Holy Week in Panama

Holy Week kicks off on Palm Sunday with church services throughout Panama as the faithful carry palm fronds shaped into crosses. But the real action begins on the Thursday and Friday before Easter. In Panama City’s Casco Viejo, the traditional Recorrido de las Siete Iglesias (Seven Churches Tour) draws thousands of visitors who walk between historic churches like Nuestra Señora de la Merced, San Felipe Neri, and the Catedral Basílica Santa María la Antigua. This pilgrimage, which runs late into Thursday night, symbolizes Jesus’ journey after the Last Supper.

Good Friday brings the most solemn processions, with the Santo Entierro (Holy Burial) being particularly significant. In Casco Viejo, the Hermandad del Cristo Pobre and the Hermandad de Cristo Nazareno lead separate candlelit processions featuring platforms carrying statues of Christ’s body. Participants dressed in traditional robes move slowly through streets, accompanied by mournful music. Similar processions take place in other communities, with towns like Pesé and San Carlos particularly known for their vivid recreations of the crucifixion.

One distinctive aspect of Panama’s Easter celebrations is the alcohol ban that takes effect from noon on Maundy Thursday until Saturday evening. The government prohibits not only the sale of alcohol but also public dances and shows during this period. The ban is strictly enforced, with fines for businesses that violate it, though tourists staying in hotels may find exceptions.

Holy Saturday is a transition day, with quieter religious services and preparation for Easter Sunday. When Easter morning arrives, churches fill with celebratory masses marking the resurrection. While major processions happen on Sunday in some communities, many Panamanians spend this day with family, often at the beach or other vacation spots if they’ve traveled for the holiday period.

Throughout Semana Santa, Casco Viejo becomes lively with religious tourism, something authorities have been trying to promote in recent years. The area’s historic churches, museums, and plazas fill with visitors, creating an atmosphere that blends devotion with cultural appreciation. Local organizations work alongside the Catholic Church to organize events that now attract international attention. Easter Sunday’s procession of the Hermandad de Jesús Yacente provides a final opportunity to witness Panama’s religious traditions before Holy Week ends and everyone goes back to work on Monday.

Traditional Easter Foods in Panama

Like the rest of the region, Easter in Panama has its own food traditions, with seafood and sweets taking center stage. And like the rest of the region, avoiding meat, especially on Good Friday, shapes the culinary vibe of Semana Santa in Panama. At least for the faithful, anyway.

Bacalao (dried salted cod) is Panama’s signature Easter dish. Families prepare it various ways after soaking it overnight to remove excess salt. It might appear as bacalao con papas (codfish with potatoes) in a tomato-based stew, or as arroz con bacalao, mixed with rice and vegetables. In the province of Herrera on the Azuero Peninsula, a traditional Holy Week breakfast features bacalao alongside bollo (a corn dough wrapped in leaves) and simple farmer’s cheese. Over in Colón on the Caribbean side, bacalao en escabeche adds vinegar, vegetables and hot peppers for a tangy Good Friday meal.

Fresh fish also plays a significant role. Corvina (sea bass) and pargo (red snapper) are prepared al ajillo (with garlic) or a la criolla (with a red-tinged sauce of annatto, peppers, and tomatoes). These dishes often come with coconut rice or rice with dried shrimp.

Panama’s Easter sweets and breads hold their own, too. Pan bon, a Caribbean-influenced fruit bread from Colón, combines sugar, anise, cinnamon, and crystallized fruits into a rich, dense loaf that everyone loves this time of year. Torrejas, Panama’s version of French toast, consists of bread soaked in milk, cinnamon, and sugar, then fried and drizzled with honey or syrup – a traditional treat that appears on many Easter tables. Other specialties include cocada, sweet treats made with roasted cashews, coconut, and sugar cane syrup spiced with cinnamon, and dulce de frijoles, a unique bean-based dessert. Traditional drinks also mark Easter, with chicheme being a distinctly Panamanian Easter beverage. This thick, somewhat chunky drink combines milk, corn, rice, and cinnamon into a sweet, hearty mixture.

By Easter Sunday, when the meat restriction lifts, many families celebrate with larger meals featuring chicken or pork, though fish remains popular, especially for those spending the holiday at the beach.

Traveling to Panama for Easter

If you’re visiting Panama during Semana Santa, timing and preparation is key. The entire week is a national holiday period, with many Panamanians taking vacation time, especially from Thursday through Sunday. This means popular destinations fill up quickly, so booking accommodations well in advance is essential.

For those interested in religious observations, Panama City offers the most concentrated Easter experience. The historical churches of Casco Viejo host numerous events throughout the week, with the aforementioned Seven Churches Tour on Maundy Thursday being particularly popular. To fully appreciate the processions, arrive at viewing spots early, especially for the Good Friday events. Wear comfortable shoes for walking on cobblestone streets, bring water, and dress modestly when entering churches (covered shoulders and knees).

Transportation around Panama City improves during Holy Week as many locals leave for vacation. Traffic lightens, making it easier to get around. For the Casco Viejo celebrations, authorities typically arrange special MiBus service from the 5 de Mayo station, and dedicated parking areas become available near the Cinta Costera. Still, using taxis or rideshares might be your best option for getting around, as parking can be limited despite the holiday exodus.

If you’re heading to the beach, know that popular destinations like Coronado, the Pearl Islands, Bocas del Toro, and areas on the Azuero Peninsula like Pedasí become significantly busier during Easter week. Hotels often charge premium rates, and reservations for restaurants become necessary. If you’re heading to these areas, plan to arrive by Wednesday at the latest to avoid the heaviest travel days.

For a more relaxed Easter experience, consider visiting smaller towns like Pesé or Las Tablas, where local celebrations offer authentic experiences without the crowds of Panama City or major beach resorts. These communities often maintain distinctive traditions while providing a more intimate glimpse of Panamanian culture.

Weather during Easter week is typically hot and dry, as April marks the end of Panama’s dry season. This makes for excellent beach conditions but can make city exploring hot and sweaty. Regardless of where you’re visiting, Easter in Panama is a fascinating window into both religious tradition and contemporary culture, with experiences ranging from deeply spiritual to purely recreational depending on where you choose to spend it.