Puerto Armuelles is a charming and unique beach town.
It enjoys life right on the shore of the Pacific Ocean. Puerto is in the Chiriqui Province, which shares a border with Costa Rica.
Puerto Armuelles is different from most other towns in Panama. This is because it was built by Chiquita Banana who created whole neighborhoods of colorful houses on stilts, and a vibrant downtown with parks and a pier.
Puerto Armuelles, Panama didn’t exist until 1927.
That is when Chiquita Banana decided to create its Central American headquarters right here.
Chiquita Banana had lumber shipped in from Oregon and started building. They didn’t stop for about 70 years.
Before Chiquita
Before Chiquita came the area was known as Rabo de Puerco (Pig’s Tail). It was named for a river of the same name, whose curvy riverbed resembles a pig’s tail. There were only a few fishermen, and rumor has it, a few pig farmers, who lived in the area.
The name was changed to Puerto Armuelles to honor Colonel Thomas Armuelles. Colonel Armuelles is a veteran of the brief War of Coto. He died on March 18, 1921 in a train accident at the Port of Pedregal in David. There is a statue of the Colonel in Puerto’s downtown waterfront park.
Chiquita Banana Created Puerto Armuelles
The company, originally known as the United Fruit Company, was also known locally as the Chiriqui Land Company. Chiquita had a big impact on the area.
Chiquita Built:
- Whole neighborhoods of wooden houses on stilts
- A cohesive downtown
- An English-speaking K-12 school
- A club house with swimming pool, bowling alley, tennis and more
- A unique beach & company town
- A thriving banana business and economy
- A friendly, vibrant community of both expats and locals
Racial inequality
They also created a segregated community.
Chiquita’s upper management were all white American males. Local Panamanians were not allowed at the club house, unless accompanied by a white & American member.
Over time, unrest over these and other inequalities rose.
Chiquita Banana Leaves
In the end, labor issues and management problems forced Chiquita to move out of Puerto Armuelles in 2003.
It was a devastating blow to the economy of Puerto Armuelles.
The town was laid low for almost a decade. But then it started to revive.
Revival of Puerto Armuelles
Now the town is thriving. Everyone who wants work, has it.
The construction of a 4 lane highway into town is almost complete.
Dole Banana is starting production of bananas and plantains in the former-Chiquita plantations.
A new hospital is currently being built. And there are rumors that a new downtown pier will be built as well.
Neighborhoods
Puerto Armuelles is a town of distinct neighborhoods.
You can find out about some to those neighborhoods, click here.