If you love exploring places that have not yet been deemed a ‘popular town’ in the map of the world, then your interest in visiting La Pintada, a small foothill town, located some 15 km northwest of Penonome is easily understood.
This small yet beautiful town is a hidden beauty full of culture and warmth. It is a natural charmer that attracts tourists from different corners of the world by showing off its scenic beauty and its very own sombreros pintados.
So, if you are on a tour of Panama, and your next stop happens to be La Pintada, then read on to learn some important facts that you might want to know about this place.
What To Explore In La Pintada?
If you are a travel enthusiast who harbors a soft spot for small and undiscovered towns, then La Pintada is a must-add to your bucket list. This delightfully sleepy town, which is small but cozy, is a sweet spot for tourists who wish to unwind and to take a little breather from the rush and endless chaos of the city. This place is away from the 24/7 buzz and noise that the city offers, and as such, is a place to rediscover yourself.
Now, while you are at it, unwinding and enjoying your little break in La Pintada, here is a list of some suggestions that you might want to follow up on when you are there.
Explore La Pintada Artisan’s Market
If you have ever come across the name of this small town La Pintada, before you decided to visit, then I am pretty sure that it must be in the context of ‘Panama hats’. These Panama hats that are better known as ‘sombreros pintados’ or ‘painted hats’ are uniquely woven hats, handmade from five different plants and a healthy dose of swamp mud.
The artisans who weave these hats have nothing fancy or artificial like any of that modern machinery. No factories have been established for weaving or creating these hats, and instead, they are woven in the homes by each artisan. These hats are woven by artisans who practice manual techniques that were passed on to them by their ancestors.
Now the artisans weave these hats with the fibers of several plants that are washed and then woven into braids around a wooden form before being sewn together from the crown of the hat. Many artisans believe that these leaves should be harvested on a full moon because then the quality of the fiber is the best. After this, the fibers are painted black and then woven into fine geometric patterns and integrated into a hat.
Over time, these hats have become an integral part of the regional outfits worn by men and women throughout the country during community festivities or traditional dances. So if you are intrigued by the history and technique of weaving these hats, then you might want to visit the artisans market to learn more about this trade.
Tip: While you are visiting the market, remember to purchase a hat or a dozen for yourself and for your loved ones to gift them as souvenirs.
Enjoy the local cuisine
When you are in La Pintada, make sure to enjoy the local cuisine that the place offers. You can visit the Dona Rosa here, which is a local restaurant that offers delicious Colombian food. The dishes served here are mouth watering and the service offered is favorable as well.
Tip: Dine out at different restaurants in La Pintada while you are there. Taste different and unique dishes. Also, do not forget to give the street food here a try, too.
Take a tour of the Cigar Factory
Another important site in La Pintada that never fails to intrigue visitors touring this town is the cigar factory that was initially established in 1982. It is mostly because this local cigar factory enjoys an international reputation for its distinctive hand-rolled Cuban seed puros (cigars) that it has gained such hype over time. In this cigar factory, based on the time of year you visit it, you can find twenty to forty workers roll as many as four hundred cigars a day.
Take A Stroll
If you are in La Pintada and you do not give yourself a chance to enjoy a walk in the fresh air and savor the peace that the town offers, then you are going to miss out. Make sure to explore the town on foot. Walk a little to the local places like the town square and to the colonial church with your local guide. Talk to local people there. Afterward, from the church, take a stroll to the mayor’s office where you can check out the wonderful hat exposition!
Enjoy Some Local Folk Presentations
La Pintada is a small, familiar town with a rich and varied culture and some very fun and fascinating traditions. When you visit this town, make sure to attend a folk presentation of the regional dances to appreciate this place’s heritage and to learn more about their rich, proud culture.
Also, after enjoying these folk presentations, make sure to indulge in a conversation with the local people here. They are very sweet, and while talking with them, you can discover more about the meaning of the folk presentations and traditions that these people practice.
Relax at your hotel
While you are on your mini-vacation, do not forget to unwind and relax at your hotel in the midst of all the traveling and exploring. When night sets in, make sure to unwind there with a glass of chilled wine!
Conclusion
So, if you are tired of the constant rush and buzz of cities and wish to take a break and visit someplace that will relax you and calm your nerves, then plan on visiting La Pintada, a small town tucked in the foothills of Penonome. And do not forget to check out the world-famous cigar factory and awesome sombreros pintados hats while you are here!
Happy Vacation!
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