Just days before the country's biggest festival begins, hotels in Panama are already feeling the positive impact of Carnival. The Panamanian Hotel Association confirmed an estimated 30% increase in reservations and revenue thanks to the four days of festivities, stages, and tourist movement across the country. In the capital, where occupancy is traditionally lower for these dates, numbers are improving. In places like Las Tablas and nearby areas, hotels have no available rooms. The figures reflect a balanced mix of international tourists and Panamanians, especially on beaches and in Azuero. In areas like Boquete, there is even a greater presence of visitors from abroad, attracted by the climate and hotel offerings. Carnival 2026 officially kicks off this Friday, February 13, with coronations in several parts of the country and will run until Tuesday, 17, featuring culecos, parades, artistic stages, and popular parties. Currently, hotel occupancy is between 45% and 50%. In the interior of the country, specifically in Bocas del Toro, Boquete, beaches, and the Azuero area, hotels are practically at 100% occupancy.
