Elena Montilla is a nationally known maker of Panama-style hats based in Ocú; she also makes polleras (traditional dresses from the Península de Azuero). To visit her workshop, drive or walk north about 1km on Av Central; if you come to a fork in the road, you've gone too far. Elena's house is the green one south of the fork.
Elena Montilla
Península de Azuero
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
18.08 MILES
One of Panama's top artisans, Dario López has been making colorful masks for folkloric dancers since the 1960s. These days most of his masks and satin…
-
25.05 MILES
On the east side of Plaza Simón Bolívar, this national treasure was consecrated in 1782, although the foundation stone had been laid more than two…
-
Taller de Restauración Macario José Rodriguez
18.09 MILES
Macario José Rodriguez has been restoring the wooden altars and statuary of Panama’s colonial churches since the early 1980s, and this is the only such…
-
Azucarera Nacional Ingenio Santa Rosa
18.74 MILES
From mid-January to mid-March this sugar refinery 15km southwest of Aguadulce processes more than 6500 tons of raw sugarcane daily. The process involves…
-
Iglesia de San Francisco de la Montaña
24.29 MILES
This simple stone church, built in 1727, contains nine elaborately carved altarpieces, including the ornate main altar of ash and cedar. Although most…
-
Museo de Herrera Fabio Rodriquez
23.95 MILES
This small museum, housed in a lovely two-story colonial building, contains many well-preserved pieces of pottery dating from 5000 BC until the Spanish…
-
26.87 MILES
Located 9km southeast of central Aguadulce, this saltworks is a crucial habitat for marsh and shore birds. The area draws local and international…
-
Iglesia de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
18.02 MILES
This 18th-century churrigueresque (an ornate Spanish baroque style) church has some lovely carvings; check out the pulpit and the retablo (altarpiece). It…
Nearby Península de Azuero attractions
12.61 MILES
At the Hacienda San Isidro near Pesé, 23km southwest of Chitré, Varela Hermanos, the country's largest seco (alcoholic drink made from sugarcane)…
2. Iglesia de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
18.02 MILES
This 18th-century churrigueresque (an ornate Spanish baroque style) church has some lovely carvings; check out the pulpit and the retablo (altarpiece). It…
18.08 MILES
One of Panama's top artisans, Dario López has been making colorful masks for folkloric dancers since the 1960s. These days most of his masks and satin…
4. Taller de Restauración Macario José Rodriguez
18.09 MILES
Macario José Rodriguez has been restoring the wooden altars and statuary of Panama’s colonial churches since the early 1980s, and this is the only such…
5. Azucarera Nacional Ingenio Santa Rosa
18.74 MILES
From mid-January to mid-March this sugar refinery 15km southwest of Aguadulce processes more than 6500 tons of raw sugarcane daily. The process involves…
21.2 MILES
Some 26km northwest of central Chitré, Parque Nacional Sarigua is arguably the most important pre-Columbian site in Panama. The archaeological site has…
21.91 MILES
Ceramica Hermanos Calderón is where you can buy traditional painted ceramics at wholesale prices. These pieces are made on the premises in a workshop…
8. Refugio de Vida Silvestre Cenegón del Mangle
22.57 MILES
This 776-hectare refuge about 25km north of Chitré protects a mangrove forest at the mouth of the Río Santa María. It's an important wildlife area and…