Festival Nacional de la Mejorana

View on map
MusicGuarare
DatesDates TBA · Usually SeptemberCheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsManuel F. Zarate did not simply organize a
Language["es"]Currency: PAB
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Festival Nacional de la Mejorana in Guarare

Founded in 1949 by folklorist Manuel F. Zarate, Guarare's Mejorana festival gathers folk musicians, dancers, and singers from across Panama each late September as part of the patronal celebrations honoring the Virgin of Las Mercedes. Named for the small five-string guitar central to Panamanian folk music, it was among the first festivals formally declared a National Festival of Panamanian Tradition.

Guarare's relationship with the Virgin of Las Mercedes predates its famous festival by generations, rooted in a miracle local residents attributed to her intercession, which shaped the town's patronal calendar around late September.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Zarate did not simply organize a local party: he was a folklorist who founded the festival to gather and preserve regional musical traditions performed in isolated pockets around the country, using the event as a living archive as much as a celebration

02

The mystery stays covered

Its roots in gratitude for a miracle attributed to the Virgin of Las Mercedes give it a devotional foundation that predates its folkloric programming, and by 1955, only six years after its start, a bill was already underway to declare it a National Festival of Panamanian Tradition, an early recognition few Panamanian festivals received

03

The city starts moving

The mejorana guitar at its center, a small instrument specific to Panamanian folk music, gives the event its identity and distinguishes it from festivals built around dress or dance alone

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival is named for the mejorana

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a small five-string guitar central to Panamanian folk music

The sacred route

Living ritual

and combines that instrument's performance tradition with the patronal feast of the Virgin of Las Mercedes

The local code

Living ritual

whose miracle is credited with founding Guarare's devotional calendar

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually September

Getting around

Plan routes around set times, late-night exits, and crowded transport after headline acts.

What to wear

Light, breathable clothing for humid rainy-season heat; a rain jacket or poncho for frequent afternoon showers.

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Guarare you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

["es"] · PAB

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map7.82 N, 80.28 WOpen in Google Maps

Guarare, Los Santos, Panama

Nearest airportCTD — Alonso Valderrama
TransportPlan routes around set times, late-night exits, and crowded transport after headline acts.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Guarare you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Guarare via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Guarare, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearLight, breathable clothing for humid rainy-season heat; a rain jacket or poncho for frequent afternoon showers.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Panama and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Festival Nacional de la Mejorana?

Festival Nacional de la Mejorana is listed for September. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Festival Nacional de la Mejorana take place?

The festival is listed in Guarare, Panama. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Guarare, Los Santos, Panama

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLguarare.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually September
Source statusOfficial source linked
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