Herrera
Herrera
It is a small province in Panama, the smallest in fact, located in the center of the country. Its capital, Chitre, is very popular for the Panamanian Carnivals and it is the most developed town of the province.
Over the years, other towns like Ocu and Pese have been gaining popularity as Carnival destinations too. Herrera is recognized to be the house of Panamanian folklore, together with Los Santos, and is the most recognized province for clay pottery activities, especially in La Arena, which is also very famous for its bread (Pan de la arena). Regarding the pottery, they mainly re-create high-quality Pre-Columbian artifacts and you can buy them along the road and streets of the province.
Herrera is also the manufacturer of the most popular Panamanian drink, a sugar cane drink called Seco. But this is available for sale all over the country.
The only touristic attraction that is worth mentioning in this province would be Sarigua National Park, which is basically a desert. However, it is considered one of the most important archeological sites in the country. To go there you need a special permit and a guide is necessary. Some of the things that have been found there are exhibited in the Herrera Museum in Chitre, which is also considered a great example of Spanish colonial architecture still alive in the town. Another example of this type or architecture is found in the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, also in Chitre.
