×

Panama🇵🇦 | festivalsFeria Nacional de la NaranjaOrange stalls, rope contests, queen parade, Churuquita Grande | things to do and best time to go

Explore GamboaExplore Biomuseo

Backpacking in Feria Nacional de la Naranja
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 23, 2026

Arrive on the first day of Feria Nacional de la Naranja and you get the cheapest oranges, the fullest bullring and the easiest rides home. The fair sits in Churuquita Grande, a farming town north of Penonomé in the province of Coclé, in central Panama. Expect about five days of orange stalls, bullfights, rope contests and a queen parade, with a crowd made up mostly of Panamanian families. I once showed up at dusk without a bed and found every room in the district taken, because locals book early. Reserve ahead or sleep in Penonomé. Carry small bills, since vendors rarely change large ones. Your first day could mean a morning at the orange stalls, an afternoon in the bullring and an evening ride back.

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


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #9 festival in PanamaWhy visitors keep coming back

Feria Nacional de la Naranja is one of the few places where you can see rural Coclé celebrate itself without a tourist layer on top. Backpackers route through for the Feria Nacional de la Naranja because it is a working farm community showing off its harvest, and you are treated as a guest rather than a customer. Conversations start easily at the orange stalls, where growers will peel fruit for you and explain varieties. The rope contests and bullfights give you a quick lesson in interior Panama’s ranching traditions, which the canal and the beaches never show. It also fits neatly into a longer trip through the central highlands, since the timing falls in the dry season, when roads are good and the hills are at their greenest. Prices stay local, so food and drink cost far less than at a coastal music festival.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Orange stalls: Growers sell fruit by the bag, fresh juice and orange sweets, and this is the reason the fair exists. Buy early in the day when the fruit is freshest.
  2. Queen parade: Floats, bands and the fair’s elected queen move through the streets of Churuquita Grande, with the whole town lining the route. Find a spot in the shade a little before it starts.
  3. Bullfights: Held in a temporary ring, these follow the Panamanian tradition of amateur riders and loud crowds. Expect more spectacle and chaos than formal ceremony.
  4. Rope contests: Local riders compete in lasso events that show off the cattle skills of the countryside. They are quick to watch, and the commentary adds plenty of fun.
  5. Evening fairground: Food stands, music and dancing fill the central area after dark. Try grilled meat and sugar
… read more 👉
  1. Orange stalls: Growers sell fruit by the bag, fresh juice and orange sweets, and this is the reason the fair exists. Buy early in the day when the fruit is freshest.
  2. Queen parade: Floats, bands and the fair’s elected queen move through the streets of Churuquita Grande, with the whole town lining the route. Find a spot in the shade a little before it starts.
  3. Bullfights: Held in a temporary ring, these follow the Panamanian tradition of amateur riders and loud crowds. Expect more spectacle and chaos than formal ceremony.
  4. Rope contests: Local riders compete in lasso events that show off the cattle skills of the countryside. They are quick to watch, and the commentary adds plenty of fun.
  5. Evening fairground: Food stands, music and dancing fill the central area after dark. Try grilled meat and sugar cane drinks while locals dance typical folk music.
Together these fit into two full days, though three lets you catch every event at an easy pace.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Feria Nacional de la Naranja

Electric Bike Rental El Valle de Antón (Best Rated Activity)

Electric Bike Rental El Valle de Antón (Best Rated Activity)

5.0(47)
From €32
per personViator
Private Tour on E-Bike: Discover El Valle de Anton

Private Tour on E-Bike: Discover El Valle de Anton

4.9(36) 2h 15m
From €68
per personViator
Valle De Anton Rainfall Hot Springs and Nature Private Tour

Valle De Anton Rainfall Hot Springs and Nature Private Tour

4.8(26) 8h
From €86
per personViator
Adventure tour to Pozo Azul Waterfall

Adventure tour to Pozo Azul Waterfall

4.6(30) 4h
From €82
per personViator
Private Tour - Mountain Hiking within an Inhabited Volcano

Private Tour - Mountain Hiking within an Inhabited Volcano

4.9(19) 3h
From €59
per personViator
El Valle de Antón UTV Adventure to Pozo Azul

El Valle de Antón UTV Adventure to Pozo Azul

5.0(16)
From €104
per personViator
3 Hours Bike Rentals in Valle de Anton 9 am to 12 pm

3 Hours Bike Rentals in Valle de Anton 9 am to 12 pm

4.8(8)
From €13.61
per personViator
Private Tour - Alliance of E Valley Bikes and Valley Guides

Private Tour - Alliance of E Valley Bikes and Valley Guides

5.0(7) 3h
From €59
per personViator
Private Off-Road E-Bike Adventure (all levels)

Private Off-Road E-Bike Adventure (all levels)

5.0(5) 3h
From €91
per personViator
3 Hour Private Waterfall Hike in El Palmar

3 Hour Private Waterfall Hike in El Palmar

5.0(4)
From €59
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Feria Nacional de la Naranja?

Feria Nacional de la Naranja runs about five days in late January or early February in Churuquita Grande, a town north of Penonomé in Coclé, and the date shifts a little each year.
  • Best day: Go on the weekend, when the queen parade and the bullfights draw the biggest crowds, and the orange stalls are fully stocked. Weekdays are calmer but have less going on.
  • Weather: This is dry season. Days reach 31 to 34°C (88 to 93°F), nights drop to about 21 to 23°C (70 to 73°F), and rain is rare. Bring a hat, sunscreen and a refillable bottle.
  • Booking: Lodging in town is limited, so reserve two to four weeks ahead. Rooms in Penonomé can rise by 20 to 30 percent that weekend.
  • Roads: Buses and cars back up on the road from Penonomé on the main days. Arrive before midday and leave before the evening crush.
Arrive … read more 👉
Feria Nacional de la Naranja runs about five days in late January or early February in Churuquita Grande, a town north of Penonomé in Coclé, and the date shifts a little each year.
  • Best day: Go on the weekend, when the queen parade and the bullfights draw the biggest crowds, and the orange stalls are fully stocked. Weekdays are calmer but have less going on.
  • Weather: This is dry season. Days reach 31 to 34°C (88 to 93°F), nights drop to about 21 to 23°C (70 to 73°F), and rain is rare. Bring a hat, sunscreen and a refillable bottle.
  • Booking: Lodging in town is limited, so reserve two to four weeks ahead. Rooms in Penonomé can rise by 20 to 30 percent that weekend.
  • Roads: Buses and cars back up on the road from Penonomé on the main days. Arrive before midday and leave before the evening crush.
Arrive early on Saturday, and you can see the parade without fighting for shade.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent 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: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutPanama Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Panama
The digital guide (272 pages) contains:
✅ 89 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 5, 10 & 15-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

Penonomé is the practical place to sleep, since Churuquita Grande has only a few small guesthouses that fill quickly during the fair. Penonomé sits on the Pan-American Highway, so buses from Panama City and Santiago pass through often, and shared taxis and local buses run to Churuquita Grande in roughly 30 to 45 minutes. The center around the main plaza and the cathedral has the most budget rooms, cheap eateries and a lively evening scene, and you will meet other travelers there. It is easy to walk after dark on the busier streets, though taxis are smart for the last stretch late at night. Book … read more 👉
Penonomé is the practical place to sleep, since Churuquita Grande has only a few small guesthouses that fill quickly during the fair. Penonomé sits on the Pan-American Highway, so buses from Panama City and Santiago pass through often, and shared taxis and local buses run to Churuquita Grande in roughly 30 to 45 minutes. The center around the main plaza and the cathedral has the most budget rooms, cheap eateries and a lively evening scene, and you will meet other travelers there. It is easy to walk after dark on the busier streets, though taxis are smart for the last stretch late at night. Book early, because festival weekends push prices up. If you prefer mountains and cooler air, El Valle de Antón is a longer trip but has a stronger hostel scene with social common areas and hiking. Many backpackers also stay in Panama City and make a long day trip, but the return buses fill up after the evening events, so plan to leave early.
Best hostels in Panama


Best quality hotels in Panama

👛 Costs (as of 23 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

Feria Nacional de la Naranja costs about US$39 to 90 per day for an independent traveler, with accommodation in Penonomé the biggest expense.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 10Entry to the fairgrounds and stalls is usually free or low; bullfights and concerts may charge a small fee.
AccommodationUS$20 to 40Basic rooms in Penonomé run higher on festival weekends. Guesthouses in town are few.
Local transportUS$4 to 10Bus from Panama City to Penonomé costs roughly US$5 to 7, and a shared ride to Churuquita Grande costs a couple of dollars.
Food & drinksUS$10 to 20Fair snacks, juice and a plate of sancocho or grilled meat cost US$2 to 6 each. Beer is about US$1.50 to 3.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 10Bag of oranges, sunscreen, a hat and a souvenir.
Total Daily BudgetUS$39 to 90About US$60 for most travelers.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodLocal Cuisine & Drinks

The star is the orange. Stalls pile up pyramids of fruit from the Churuquita Grande area, and vendors peel them on the spot with a knife in one long spiral, ready for squeezing or sucking. Fresh orange juice is sold in big cups and is far better than anything bottled, so have one while you watch the parade. Look for sancocho, the Panamanian chicken soup, plus tamales, empanadas and carimañolas from fry stands, and grilled meat skewers when the bullfight crowd gathers. Try chicheme, a sweet corn drink, or a cold seco with milk if you want something stronger. Local beer is the common choice at the stalls. Bring small bills, since almost everything is cash only and vendors can struggle to change large notes. Portions are generous and meant to be shared, so split a plate with a new friend. Lines move fast but get long right after the parade.

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Feria Nacional de la Naranja takes place over about five days in late January or early February in Churuquita Grande, north of Penonomé in Coclé. The exact dates shift each year, so check locally before booking. The biggest crowds come on the weekend with the queen parade and bullfights.
Attending Feria Nacional de la Naranja is cheap, since entry to the stalls and grounds is usually free and bullfights or concerts may charge US$0 to 10. Expect to spend roughly US$55 to 80 a day including a room in Penonomé at US$20 to 40. Fair snacks and juice cost US$2 to 6 each.
Feria Nacional de la Naranja does not generally require advance tickets for the fairgrounds, stalls or parade, which are open to walk into. Paid events such as bullfights can usually be bought at the gate for a few dollars. Book your room in Penonomé two to four weeks ahead, since lodging near Churuquita Grande is limited and the town is about 30 to 45 minutes away.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Panamanian festivals near Feria Nacional de la Naranja

Explore more nearby:


💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Panama including Feria Nacional de la Naranja and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all festivals

Or checkout all Panama has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Panama
Country photo of Panama
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Feria Nacional de la Naranja is small, dusty and loud, so I treat it as a two-night stop rather than a destination. I would pair it with a few days in the cooler hills of El Valle de Antón, then continue to the Pacific coast or north toward Santa Fe. Bring small bills, sleep in Penonomé, and leave before the last bullfight crowd clogs the road.

✈️ 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.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

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.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story