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Panama🇵🇦 | festivalsFestival de la MejoranaMejorana guitar, tamborito, décimas, Guararé | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in de la Mejorana
🌟 Highlightfestival ranked #5
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Decades ago the Festival de la Mejorana was mostly a gathering for folklore purists and local families, with few outsiders and almost no signs in English. Today it is still a Panamanian affair, but travelers can reach it easily. It takes place in Guararé, in the Azuero Peninsula of southern Panama, a few hours southwest of Panama City. It runs for about a week in late September, built around the mejorana guitar, the tamborito drum and the polleras that dancers wear. The crowd is mostly Panamanian families, folklore groups and a growing number of backpackers. The mood is warm and unhurried. I arrived assuming I could find a bed on the day. I couldn't, and I lost an evening hunting for one. Book ahead. This suits curious travelers who want living folklore. It won't suit anyone who wants nonstop club nights.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Panama Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #5 festival in PanamaReasons people choose to celebrate the here

Festival de la Mejorana pulls backpackers onto the Azuero Peninsula because it is one of the few places where Panama's rural traditions are performed for the community first and visitors second. That matters. You aren't watching a staged show, you are standing among grandmothers in hand-stitched polleras while teenagers play drums they learned from relatives. Strangers talk to you fast, partly because a foreigner who knows the word tamborito becomes an instant friend.

The second reason is cost. Compared with big music festivals elsewhere, entry is modest, street food is cheap, and you don't pay for a campsite wristband or a shuttle. The third is routing. Guararé sits close to Las Tablas and other Azuero towns, so you can combine the festival with mask-making villages and quiet beaches. Few … read more 👉
Festival de la Mejorana pulls backpackers onto the Azuero Peninsula because it is one of the few places where Panama's rural traditions are performed for the community first and visitors second. That matters. You aren't watching a staged show, you are standing among grandmothers in hand-stitched polleras while teenagers play drums they learned from relatives. Strangers talk to you fast, partly because a foreigner who knows the word tamborito becomes an instant friend.

The second reason is cost. Compared with big music festivals elsewhere, entry is modest, street food is cheap, and you don't pay for a campsite wristband or a shuttle. The third is routing. Guararé sits close to Las Tablas and other Azuero towns, so you can combine the festival with mask-making villages and quiet beaches. Few travelers get to see the region at its most social, and September is when it is.

💡 HighlightsThe experiences that define the visit

  1. Mejorana guitar competitions: The festival is named for this small, five-stringed guitar, and the contests show how players tune and strum it in different regional styles. Listen for the sharp, bright tone.
  2. Tamborito dancing: Drummers and a chorus of singers circle dancers in a call-and-response that is hundreds of years old. Spectators clap along, and it is easy to feel part of it.
  3. Pollera parade: Women wear the handmade pollera, a gown with hours of embroidery and lace. Look closely at the hair ornaments, called tembleques, which tremble as the wearers walk.
  4. Torrentes and décimas: Singers improvise long sung verses called décimas, each sung to a torrente, one of the traditional mejorana airs such as the opening mesano or the mournful llanto. Even without fluent Spanish, you will catch the crowd's
… read more 👉
  1. Mejorana guitar competitions: The festival is named for this small, five-stringed guitar, and the contests show how players tune and strum it in different regional styles. Listen for the sharp, bright tone.
  2. Tamborito dancing: Drummers and a chorus of singers circle dancers in a call-and-response that is hundreds of years old. Spectators clap along, and it is easy to feel part of it.
  3. Pollera parade: Women wear the handmade pollera, a gown with hours of embroidery and lace. Look closely at the hair ornaments, called tembleques, which tremble as the wearers walk.
  4. Torrentes and décimas: Singers improvise long sung verses called décimas, each sung to a torrente, one of the traditional mejorana airs such as the opening mesano or the mournful llanto. Even without fluent Spanish, you will catch the crowd's laughter at the clever lines.
  5. Museo Manuel F. Zárate: This small museum in Guararé honors the folklorist who founded the festival. It holds instruments, costumes and photographs that explain what you see on stage.
Festival de la Mejorana is easiest to take in by pairing the Museo Manuel F. Zárate in the morning with the evening tamborito dancing, since the context makes the music clearer.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

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🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Festival de la Mejorana?

Festival de la Mejorana runs for about five days in late September, with the main days around September 24, in Guararé, Los Santos Province, on the Azuero Peninsula.
  • Best day: Go for the Saturday and the final days, when the Grand Parade of folkloric costumes and the main mejorana and décima competitions draw the biggest crowds. Weekdays are calmer and easier for photos.
  • Weather: It is rainy season, with warm, humid days around 27 to 31°C (81 to 88°F) and showers often arriving in the afternoon. Bring a light rain jacket, quick-dry clothes, sandals that can get muddy and sunscreen.
  • Booking: Reserve beds one to two months ahead, since Guararé is small and rooms fill. Expect rates in nearby towns to rise 30 to 60 percent.
  • Crowds: Buses to Las Tablas and Guararé are packed on parade days. Arrive
… read more 👉
Festival de la Mejorana runs for about five days in late September, with the main days around September 24, in Guararé, Los Santos Province, on the Azuero Peninsula.
  • Best day: Go for the Saturday and the final days, when the Grand Parade of folkloric costumes and the main mejorana and décima competitions draw the biggest crowds. Weekdays are calmer and easier for photos.
  • Weather: It is rainy season, with warm, humid days around 27 to 31°C (81 to 88°F) and showers often arriving in the afternoon. Bring a light rain jacket, quick-dry clothes, sandals that can get muddy and sunscreen.
  • Booking: Reserve beds one to two months ahead, since Guararé is small and rooms fill. Expect rates in nearby towns to rise 30 to 60 percent.
  • Crowds: Buses to Las Tablas and Guararé are packed on parade days. Arrive by midday and leave before the late-night rush.
Stay in Las Tablas on the quietest nights and commute in by morning bus.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Panama

Las Tablas is the best base for backpackers, about 15 to 20 minutes by bus or taxi from Guararé, with more beds, cheap eateries and frequent transport. It has a lively central plaza, a late-night feel during festivals and plenty of other travelers, so solo visitors meet people easily. Taxis between the two towns cost roughly US$5 to 10 and buses are cheaper.

Guararé itself puts you inside the action. Simple guesthouses and homestays near the central streets let you walk to the parade route and stage, and hosts are usually happy to chat. Rooms are limited and sell out early, so book far ahead. … read more 👉
Las Tablas is the best base for backpackers, about 15 to 20 minutes by bus or taxi from Guararé, with more beds, cheap eateries and frequent transport. It has a lively central plaza, a late-night feel during festivals and plenty of other travelers, so solo visitors meet people easily. Taxis between the two towns cost roughly US$5 to 10 and buses are cheaper.

Guararé itself puts you inside the action. Simple guesthouses and homestays near the central streets let you walk to the parade route and stage, and hosts are usually happy to chat. Rooms are limited and sell out early, so book far ahead. Streets get noisy until late, so bring earplugs.

Pedasí, about 45 minutes to an hour away, is calmer, with a small surf and beach crowd and a more social hostel scene. It suits a rest day between festival days, though evening returns depend on taxis. Chitré, roughly an hour away, offers a bigger choice of budget rooms and a larger bus terminal, handy for onward travel. In all of these, stay close to the main square, walk in groups late at night and keep valuables locked away.
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Best quality hotels in Panama

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for de la Mejorana

Festival de la Mejorana costs a backpacker roughly US$45 to 95 per day, with US$75 as a realistic total including a mid-range bed in high season.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 5Street parades and most events are free to watch; some stage shows or seating areas may charge a small fee.
AccommodationUS$25 to 45Basic rooms or homestays in Guararé and Las Tablas; prices climb around the festival days and sell out early.
Local transportUS$3 to 10Buses between Las Tablas, Chitré and Guararé cost little; taxis between towns cost more late at night.
Food & drinksUS$12 to 25Stall plates run US$3 to 6, with beer and seco extra.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 10Rain gear, sunscreen, small souvenirs such as handmade items and cash withdrawals.
Total Daily BudgetUS$45 to 95About US$75 when counting a mid-priced bed.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodWhat to Eat & Drink

Festival de la Mejorana is a feast of Azuero country cooking, served from stalls and family kitchens around Guararé’s streets and plaza. Look for sancocho de gallina (a clear, herby chicken soup with ñame and culantro), tamales wrapped in banana leaf, carimañolas (crisp yuca fritters stuffed with meat), empanadas and grilled meats with arroz con pollo or rice and beans on the side.

For drinks, chicha de maíz and fruit juices like tamarindo cool you off in the humidity, while seco, Panama’s sugarcane spirit, is poured with milk and ice by the glass or bottle. Beer is the default for the evening dancing. Try raspao, shaved ice with sweet syrup, between parade sets.

My pick for authenticity is a plate from a home-style stall run by locals, preferably when you see families queuing. Portions … read more 👉
Festival de la Mejorana is a feast of Azuero country cooking, served from stalls and family kitchens around Guararé’s streets and plaza. Look for sancocho de gallina (a clear, herby chicken soup with ñame and culantro), tamales wrapped in banana leaf, carimañolas (crisp yuca fritters stuffed with meat), empanadas and grilled meats with arroz con pollo or rice and beans on the side.

For drinks, chicha de maíz and fruit juices like tamarindo cool you off in the humidity, while seco, Panama’s sugarcane spirit, is poured with milk and ice by the glass or bottle. Beer is the default for the evening dancing. Try raspao, shaved ice with sweet syrup, between parade sets.

My pick for authenticity is a plate from a home-style stall run by locals, preferably when you see families queuing. Portions are generous, so share a plate if you want to sample widely. Bring cash in small bills, as most stalls do not take cards and ATMs in Guararé run dry on busy days. Lines move slowly during parades, so eat before the crowd peaks and keep a bottle of water on you.

FAQTraveler FAQ

Festival de la Mejorana takes place in late September, usually lasting about five days with the main day around September 24. It is held in Guararé, in Los Santos Province on the Azuero Peninsula. The town is roughly 4 to 5 hours by road from Panama City, so most travelers arrive a day early.
Attending Festival de la Mejorana costs little at the gate, as most street events are free, though some shows may charge US$0 to 5. Budget about US$25 to 45 per night for a bed and US$12 to 25 per day for food and drinks. A realistic backpacker total is around US$60 to 95 per day.
Festival de la Mejorana does not require advance tickets for the main parades and street events, which are open to the public. What you do need in advance is a bed, ideally booked one to two months ahead in Guararé or Las Tablas. Some seated shows may sell tickets locally for a few dollars on the day.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Festival de la Mejorana rewards travelers who like music with history behind it and don't mind a slow pace. If you want to dance until dawn, go elsewhere. I would book a room early, learn a few Spanish phrases and spend at least one night simply watching the drummers.

✈️ When did I visit Panama?
Panama I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Panama, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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