Museo de la Sal y Azúcar


Officially called the Museo Regional Stella Sierra, but better known by its former title, Museo de la Sal y Azúcar, this museum in the former post office, facing Aguadulce's attractive central plaza, documents the history of the local sea salt and sugar industries. It also displays a number of pre-Columbian artifacts, mostly ceramics and tools found in the nearby cane fields.

The ground floor hosts temporary exhibits. It also looks at the life and times of local sons and daughters who made their mark in the national arena, including the poet Stella Sierra and former president (1924–28) Rodolfo Chiari.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Playa El Salado

4.6 MILES

Located 9km southeast of central Aguadulce, this saltworks is a crucial habitat for marsh and shore birds. The area draws local and international…

2. Basílica Menor Santiago Apóstol

6.64 MILES

Natá's principal draw is this 16th-century cathedral, thought to be the oldest church built in the Americas still in use today. Indigenous artisans did…

4. Azucarera Nacional Ingenio Santa Rosa

9.48 MILES

From mid-January to mid-March this sugar refinery 15km southwest of Aguadulce processes more than 6500 tons of raw sugarcane daily. The process involves…

5. Parque Arqueológico del Caño

11.19 MILES

This archaeological site, under extensive renovation at the time of research, contains three pre-Columbian mounds dating from between AD 500 and 1200. The…

6. Parque Nacional Sarigua

15.04 MILES

Some 26km northwest of central Chitré, Parque Nacional Sarigua is arguably the most important pre-Columbian site in Panama. The archaeological site has…

7. Taller Dario López

16.52 MILES

One of Panama's top artisans, Dario López has been making colorful masks for folkloric dancers since the 1960s. These days most of his masks and satin…

8. Iglesia de Santo Domingo de Guzmán

16.68 MILES

This 18th-century churrigueresque (an ornate Spanish baroque style) church has some lovely carvings; check out the pulpit and the retablo (altarpiece). It…