Badajoz's Route: Indigenous Heritage and Spanish Influence

Gonzalo de Badajoz was a Spanish conquistador who came to Panama at the beginning of the 16th century. In 1515, he visited the Azuero Peninsula with the hope of finding gold. He faced heavy resistance from local chief Paris and a series of epic battles followed.

This tour recounts the story of Gonzalo de Badajoz and the history of the region. You’ll visit the archaeological site of El Caño, which dates back to A.D. 800–1100. The site has ancient stone pedestals and an excavated cemetery.

You’ll also visit the oldest churches on the American continent at Parita and Natá. These will give you a good idea of how Spanish Catholicism became intertwined with the Panamanian belief system. The churches are well preserved and impressive.

This tour lasts seven hours. There is a four-person minimum.