11 Dec Muñecos de Año Viejo
It’s that time of the year again…
If this is your first time visiting the Playa Coronado area, you may start noticing effigies, or human-like figurines being displayed alongside the Pan-American Highway as you approach the beach communities between San Carlos and Bejuco.
These dolls have various names, including muñecos de año viejo (old year dolls), muñecos judas (judas dolls), or simply muñecos (dolls). The dolls are a popular way to ring in the new year in the area. Muñecos are typically made with a wood or metal frame, old clothes, and stuffed with leaves and firecrackers. They are then thrown into a bonfire on the strike of midnight on New Years’.
Muñecos 2020, photo taken by Bob Jensen
A yearly competition for the best muñeco occurs in San Carlos, which is approximately 10 minutes west of Coronado. Muñecos typically symbolize things that people do not want to carry with them into the next following year. However, they can symbolize positive things as well. Obviously both images are of muñecos with more negative memories. The death of Diego Maradonna, and the emotions of the recent US election well captured in the first picture. And we can safely assume that we all would like to put the pandemic behind us, so maybe the burning of the Covid muñeco will be worth the sacrifices. Let it burn!
Muñecos is a tradition pretty specific to the interior of Panama, specifically between Bejuco and San Carlos. Look for them alongside the highways, especially as New Year’s Eve approaches. See one you like? Inquire about purchasing the muñeco. The cost is said to vary between $50-$500, depending on the figurine and the detail put into them. If you are feeling particularly adventurous, you can try making your own!
Happy Holidays to all our friends,
Your Coronado Concierge Team