Carnaval in Las Tablas, Panama, is a huge event. It brings around 100,000 visitors to the town -- and Las Tablas' normal population is only about 10,000. Merchants make a big chunk of their annual sales before, during and after Carnaval. Families earn some extra income by bunking in together and renting out houses or apartments to Carnaval-goers. Carnaval itself is a huge business, employing makers of costumes, floats and other paraphernalia at a cost well into the six figures. …
Carnaval in Las Tablas, Panama
Carnaval in Las Tablas, Panama (and yes, that's the correct Spanish spelling for Carnival) is a big deal here. A very big deal. Every year the town of Las Tablas swells to more than 10 times its normal population. This normally quiet town -- residents describe it as muy tranquilo -- jumps from about 10,000 people to over 100,000 for four days of round-the-clock partying and competitiveness. There are two queens: Arriba and Abajo (think uptown and downtown). You support one or the other. …