Coclé offers two distinct thematic focuses: the history and traditions of Penonomé, and designated protected areas associated with water, forests, archaeology, and mangroves. The cultural sites and protected areas mentioned are located in the municipality to which Coclé belongs. You can plan your trip according to whether you are more interested in historical points of reference and collections, or in protected areas and their different designations. The cultural information covers architectural history, museum collections, and a specific street location; the nature-related topics differ in terms of protection categories, years of establishment, and local designations.

Cultural History and Collections

The Catedral San Juan Bautista de Penonomé was built in the second half of the 16th century; the first mass was held in 1581. The construction period and the year of the mass mark different historical points of reference: the construction period places the building within a time frame, while 1581 identifies a specific event. This allows the cathedral’s history to be understood through two different dates.

The Museo de Penonomé is located in the Casco Antiguo (Barrio San Antonio) and showcases the history and traditions of Penonomé. Its archaeological collections and collections of religious colonial art are considered its main attractions for visitors. These offer a different focus from the cathedral’s architectural history: here, collections take center stage, including archaeological material and religious art from the colonial period.

The Museo Hermanos Arias Madrid is located on the road leading to Las Mendozas. Its location is thus described by a different specific point of reference than that of the Museo de Penonomé in the Casco Antiguo. Together, the cultural sites mentioned offer different starting points for a historical focus: a cathedral with a history of construction and masses, a museum with history, traditions, and collections, and another museum with a specified street location.

Protected Areas and Their Focus

The protected areas differ in their designated categories and local locations. Established in 1993, Cerro Guacamaya is designated as a water protection area, a protected forest, and an archaeological reserve. It is located in the municipality of Cañaveral, in the Corregimiento de Cañaveral. Three protection categories come together here: water, forests, and archaeology.

Two other protected areas were established in 2005. The Cerro Turega y Cucuasal water protection area is located in the Corregimiento de Pajonal. Also established in 2005, the Río San Miguel and its Tributaries water protection area is located in the Corregimientos of Chiguirí Arriba and Toabré. Both share the same year of establishment and a focus on water, but differ in the areas named and their local locations.

Established in 2006, the protected area for mangroves and related ecosystems is located in the Distrito de Penonomé. Its focus on mangroves adds another ecological topic to the explicitly named water, forest, and archaeological focuses. Its geographical designation also differs: the Distrito de Penonomé is named for this protected area, while the other descriptions specify Corregimientos.

This makes for a clear distinction between cultural history and several separately designated protected areas when choosing a theme. If you include specific places in your plans, check their current accessibility in advance.

Discover more destinations: Chiguirí Arriba, El Roble, El Chirú, Llano Grande, Ola, Aguadulce, Juan Diaz, Antón

For the broader travel overview: Coclé.