Travel to Chitré
Chitré is the capital city of the Herrera province. The population is just over 25,000 people.
Chitré is located about 7 km inland from the Gulf of Panama on the Azuero Peninsula. It is one of the oldest cities in Panama: evidence of Spanish colonialism dates back to 1558 and there is archeological evidence of thousands of years of indigenous civilization.
People from Chitre are very friendly and the city offers services you would find in larger cities, including: hotels, restaurants featuring national and international cuisine, banks, department stores, supermarkets, car rentals, dance clubs etc. Chitré also serves as a marketing centre for the vegetables and livestock that are grown in the area; it also produces ice, beverages, and brandy.
The natural vegetation of the region is tropical dry forest, although most of the forest has been cut down.
In the province of Herrera, the weather varies from hot and humid to mild. In the mountainous areas, such as Cerro de Tijera, Cerro de Peñon, Cerro Largo, Cerro del ñuco and La Loma, you will find milder temperatures. You will find more humid temperatures in the plains of Santa Maria de Ocu, as well as in the coastal areas, including the city of Chitre.
What to do in Chitré
- Go to the nearby village of La Arena to buy some of the famous fine pottery made there.
- Check out the Museo de Herrera to see some of the ancient archeological treasures from the region: some exhibits date as far back as 5000 BC.
- Take a look at the city?s unique 18th century Cathedral, made of precious woods and unusual architecture.
- Take a short trip to Playa el Aguilito for a unique bird watching experience. Birds not found anywhere else in Panama make this beach a feeding stop on their migratory route. During low tide, many types of crabs come out, and thousands of birds of different species come to eat. This creates ideal photography conditions.
- Visit the desert Parque National Sarigua where there are ancient Ngobe burial grounds.
- Travel 6 km to Parita, a well preserved colonial town with a long and rich history.