Semana Santa 2016 Dates and Closures

Semana Santa (Holy Week or the week leading up to Easter) is just around the corner. The week will begin on Sunday, March 20th (Palm Sunday) and continuing until Sunday, March 27th (Easter Sunday). Banks, and government offices will be closed starting March 24 from noon, and remain closed on the 25th and 26th.

There will be no alcohol sold on Friday (good Friday).Expect the beach area to be busy throughout the week with heavy traffic heading out towards the Coronado area Thursday March 24th.

In colonial times, myths urged people against worldly pleasures during Semana Santa. These sayings in Panama include “if you goto the beach on Good Friday, you might turn into a sardine” and “if you climb a tree you could turn in to a monkey.” While these myths still circulate most use the holiday to spend time with their families enjoy worldly pleasures at the beach.

In religious communities colorful processions and vivid reenactments continue to be an important part of the week. These processions take place in churches, on main streets and community centers. Theatrical plays, reenacting Christ’s last days, crucifixion and resurrection, offer an experience a rooted in tradition that has taken place in Panama for hundreds of years.