Panama People

For a country the size of South Carolina, Panama's diversity is astonishing. With influences ranging from African/Caribbean to Spanish — alongside indigenous tribes living deep in the jungle — the people are as colorful as the tropics. The menagerie includes a sizeable expat population.

Shopkeeper at the Coronado Thursday Marketplace
Shopkeeper at the Coronado Thursday Marketplace
Mercado de El Valle de Antón. Organic fruits and veggies, along with indigenous crafts.
Mercado de El Valle de Antón. Organic fruits and veggies, along with indigenous crafts.
All-ages Panameño crew offloads their catch on La Playa de Ensenada
All-ages Panameño crew offloads their catch on La Playa de Ensenada
A street musician serenades shoppers at the Sunday Market in El Valle de Antón.
A street musician serenades shoppers at the Sunday Market in El Valle de Antón.
Surprisingly young yet superbly talented Sinatra impersonator wows Picasso Restaurant in Coronado
Surprisingly young yet superbly talented Sinatra impersonator wows Picasso Restaurant in Coronado
With two oceans sandwiching the country, water is a common theme here—for both work and play
With two oceans sandwiching the country, water is a common theme here—for both work and play
Three generations of an Embera indigenous family from the Darién region of Panama
Three generations of an Embera indigenous family from the Darién region of Panama
Close-up: Embera indigenous princess from the Darién region of Panama
Close-up: Embera indigenous princess from the Darién region of Panama
Embera indigenous grandparents and child from the Darién region of Panama
Embera indigenous grandparents and child from the Darién region of Panama
Pelican freeloaders greet fishermen returning with the night's catch
Pelican freeloaders greet fishermen returning with the night's catch
Catholic singing procession down the main street of El Valle de Antón. Next: A prayer at a shrine, then the group moves into the town's church.
Catholic singing procession down the main street of El Valle de Antón. Next: A prayer at a shrine, then the group moves into the town's church.
The Upper Room, a Coronado, Panama church with a very chill vibe
The Upper Room, a Coronado, Panama church with a very chill vibe
I would entitle this "The Line at Immigration," but there is no line. Sheer bedlam. The crowd is even worse outside..
I would entitle this "The Line at Immigration," but there is no line. Sheer bedlam. The crowd is even worse outside..
Melani prepares a 5-pound sea bass and a 10-pound red snapper, both caught that day.
Melani prepares a 5-pound sea bass and a 10-pound red snapper, both caught that day.
Around 7:30am, the San Carlos fishermen all return with their catch
Around 7:30am, the San Carlos fishermen all return with their catch
Golfer executes masterful bunker shot near the 8th green
Golfer executes masterful bunker shot near the 8th green
Landscaper hacks weeds the old-school way. Manual labor is king here.
Landscaper hacks weeds the old-school way. Manual labor is king here.
Birds benefit from the fishermen bringing home their catch
Birds benefit from the fishermen bringing home their catch
Standing room-only at the Sunday service, El Valle de Antón Catholic Church.
Standing room-only at the Sunday service, El Valle de Antón Catholic Church.
San Carlos fishermen prepare their catch for market
San Carlos fishermen prepare their catch for market
An influencer gets her shot on La Calle De Los Sombreros in Panama City, Panamá
An influencer gets her shot on La Calle De Los Sombreros in Panama City, Panamá
Manuel gives us the thumbs-up to photograph birds on his lovely mountain property
Manuel gives us the thumbs-up to photograph birds on his lovely mountain property
Manuel's daughter shows off her new pup in El Valle de Antón
Manuel's daughter shows off her new pup in El Valle de Antón
A fisherman's family inspects his catch
A fisherman's family inspects his catch
Fisherman drags part of his daily catch to his truck
Fisherman drags part of his daily catch to his truck
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