
Ok, that might sound weird, but this is the explanation: As all Latin American countries, Panama was colonized by Spain. Our isthmus "Colonial" period started in 1501 when Rodrigo de Bastidas first visited our Atlantic coasts, and then Christopher Columbus himself visited Panama during his fourth and last voyage to the American Continent.
The firs European settlement in Panama took place in Darien, next to the border with Colombia and it became the first Spaniard settlement in continental mainland (being the first ones in the Caribbean islands).
Until 1513 when Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, went on a expedition further west to "discover" that amazing water mass that we call today The Pacific Ocean, until then unknown to human kind.
Upon that discovery, Panama settlement was moved to the Pacific coast, leaving in what is know today as Colon, the settlement in the Atlantic coast.
By 1821, and following the independence movement in every country in the continent, Panama, worked its independence from Spain on November 28th, 1821. Intermediately, Panama got attached both politically and economically to Colombia as one of its provinces (as the rest of the Central American countries got together with Mexico) and we remained united to Colombia until we seek for our independence on November 3rd, 1903.
We have been an independent Republic for only 109 years! but we celebrate both Independence Days with the same fervor and happiness!
All over the country, we have parades on both days, children, adults, schools and every institution celebrate our Independence celebrating our becoming of the greatest Country, Panama!
Boquete also welcomes thousands of visitors who celebrate with us our independence days, whole families visit our gorgeous mountain town and do some local tourism. This past weekend we had the pleasure to host a full house at La Casa de la Abuela we were not only happy to welcome all our guests (new and returning) and we celebrated with most pride our independence day! Now we are ready to do it all over again on November 28th! so, what are you waiting for???? Come to Boquete, and join on celebrating this day, we´ll be waiting for you!