Brian and I like spending Christmas abroad and enjoy being on the boat in a different place each Christmas. Since we moved on the boat, we take note of the Christmas traditions, decorations, and celebrations in new places. This year, we’re celebrating Christmas Panama style.
Christmas Panama Style Starts Early
Maybe it’s like this everywhere, but Christmas prep started early in Panama. When we were in Panama City in early November, the decorations were up or going up, and the stores were selling holiday goods.
Trees
We’ve seen a mix of real and fake trees this Christmas. Fake trees come in all materials and designs and each tree has different decorations.
I don’t care if it’s a red metal tree, a Douglass fir, or a Charlie Brown tree. They all get us in the spirit of the holiday, although firs do smell nice.
We got to Bocas del Toro in late November, and ventured out once from the archipelago, to Boquete. In addition to being a mountain town with lots of great hikes, Boquete is full of American and Canadian expats, and well decorated for Christmas.
Feliz Navidad
Spanish is the primary language of Panama, and here they say “Feliz Navidad,” or Merry Christmas Panama style!
Santas, Elves, and Reindeer
It’s far from the North Pole, and there’s no snow in Panama, but Santa and his buddies are on full display. Kids here want presents for Christmas just like everywhere else. And yes, Santa Claus is in Panama: they call him Papa Noel.
Feeling Grateful at Christmas
We feel very lucky this year. Earlier this month we celebrated 3 years on the boat, we aren’t running back and forth to hospitals, and we got our booster shots this week. Even Domino is happy!
Bocas del Toro is a busy place for cruisers, so there are holiday parties, potlucks, just a lot of celebrations. We’re in a good place with good people, and I hope you are too! Have a great holiday whatever you celebrate, and stay safe, healthy, and happy.
Where are you spending your holidays this year? Where would you like to celebrate? Let me know in the comments!
Share this:
Happy holidays!! So glad to hear you are living your best life! I’m still holding down the fort in NYC through the dreaded covid.
Happy Holidays Leslie! Stay safe, healthy, and warm in NYC!
It’s so great that you get to spend Christmas in different places and experiencing different cultures.