Has anyone lived in the two provinces and can highlight their differences is áreas such as culture and overall living conditions. I have only been to Panama City but have lived in LA for 25 years, mainly Mexico, Colombia and Costa Rica. I am now retired and looking at Azuero in general. Boquete seems too cool for me as I am originally from the Mexican border and anything below 75 is cold! I am also not fond of the heavy rainy season as I plan to live year round.
Is there much difference in the personalities of the two groups? I have read the history of Panama and am familiar in that sense but have not lived among the residents. In Latin America there are wide variations in cultures from one región to another. As in Mexico, Yucatán is a different country from Mexico City or the border. I plan to be in Panama soon to see for myself but I would appreciate any "reconnaissance" in advance. Thank you for your time.
Replies
Azuero provinces used to be the regions that had the purest Spanish heritage. Its economy is based mostly on agriculture and cattle rising. Its people are hard working and very friendly. It has small towns, mostly rural, with basic services. They are quiet towns with simple but healthy life. No night life and big city entertainment available.
I go there in carnivals, holy week and other long weekends just to relax and enjoy a place without stress of a big city like PC.
Chiriqui has a different culture for sure, more similar to Costa Rica in some ways. You can find hot in both areas. You can find rural in both but below Chitre there is not much to call a town on the Azuero. You need to explore both and decide what you want.
Lee,
Thank you for your reply. With Chiriquí so close to CR and over time much more accesible than Panama City, it makes sense that it would have a similar culture. The Azuero is the oldest área of Hispanic Panama and I would guess might have more in common with Colombia, maybe Antioquia, than Chiriquí, although I do not think there is coffee grown in the Azuero. It might be closer to coastal NW Colombia, a rural área of cattle, bananas and sugar cane.
Good coffee needs altitude, hills, drainage and volcanic soil. None of this is on the Azuero. The Azuero is considered to focus of Panama's cultural traditions, Chiriqui is unique and very different.