Penonomé can be explored from several perspectives on a culture-focused trip: the city’s founding and the first Mass offer a glimpse into its history; the museum and handicraft market point to specific cultural venues; the Paseo de Balsas connects the river with festival traditions; and bollos de maíz are part of the local culinary tradition. These topics offer different things for your planning: historical facts, specific places, an event date or a culinary connection. This lets you plan your visit to Penonomé around the cultural focus that interests you most.

Founding and First Mass

Penonomé was founded on April 30, 1581, by Oidor Diego López de Villanueva y Zapata. The first Mass was celebrated in the Catedral San Juan Bautista de Penonomé in 1581. Both events took place in the same year, but represent different historical connections: the founding of the city and the first Mass in the cathedral. The year 1581 thus offers a glimpse into both the city’s history and its ecclesiastical history. For context, these are two separate reference points, not a single event.

Museum and Handicrafts

The Museo de Penonomé is located in the Casco Antiguo, in Barrio San Antonio. If you’d like to include it in your trip, check in advance whether a visit is possible before making the museum a fixed part of your itinerary. Its location in Barrio San Antonio gives you a specific place to plan around.

A handicraft market is located on the second floor of the Mercado Público de Penonomé on Avenida Manuel Amador Guerrero. If handicrafts are among your interests, the market is a specific place to visit. Check the current opening hours before going, as they may change. This will help you fit the market into your stay at a suitable time.

The Paseo de Balsas on the Río Zaratí

The Paseo de Balsas tradition began with rafts traveling down the Río Zaratí to the Balneario Las Mendozas. The Paseo takes place on the Río Zaratí; local artisans decorate the rafts, which serve as floating stages. The historic journey describes the tradition’s origins, while the floating stages convey the character of the parade. The Balneario Las Mendozas was the destination of the original journey; the Paseo takes place on the Río Zaratí.

If you’re choosing Penonomé specifically for the parade, its date is essential for your planning. Plan around Carnival Saturday and check the specific event dates before booking accommodation.

Bollos and Local Food Culture

Local culture also includes the preparation of bollos de maíz and bollos de maíz nuevo. Both preparations are a tradition among the people of Penonomé. While the founding and first Mass offer a historical perspective and the Paseo describes an event on the river, bollos draw attention to culinary practices. This culinary tradition thus complements the historical and festive topics with another aspect of cultural life in Penonomé.

Discover more destinations: Pajonal, Ojo De Agua, Membrillo, El Farallón Del Chirú, Coclé, Rio Hato, El Cope, Anton Valley.

Go to the main travel overview: Coclé.