Experience Panama in San Diego

The House of Panama is a non-political, non-sectarian, non-profit 501(c)3 organization whose main purpose is to participate in the activities of the "House of Pacific Relations"; to present to the public the traditions, music and culture of the Republic of Panama; and to contribute to foster and cultivate a spirit of understanding, tolerance and goodwill between all the national groups residing in the city of San Diego, California.

In 1987, the House of Panama was accepted as a conditional member of the House of Pacific Relations. In August of 1989, the House of Panama became an official member of the House of Pacific Relations.

The House of Panama is the first Panamanian cultural house in a museum setting outside of the Isthmus of Panama. We are one of 34 National Groups under the umbrella of the House of Pacific Relations, International Cottages, Inc., which is part of beautiful Balboa Park, in San Diego, California. We are supported by donations as well as the hard work of our members who volunteer at each and every fundraiser.

For 27 years, the House of Panama lacked a physical space in which to expose Balboa Park visitors to its rich culture and history. It has been limited to attending organized events held outside, borrowed space from the House of Pacific Relations and other cottages; and a small 3 cubic foot display cabinet alongside 34 other countries in the Hall of Nations. 

The building of a House of Panama International Cottage in Balboa Park we cemented the historical importance of the completion of the Panama Canal to the City of San Diego. The history of Balboa Park in San Diego is directly linked to Panama going back 100 years to 1914; when Balboa Park opened to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal during its 1915 Panama-California Exposition. 

In 1915, San Diego hosted a Panama-California International Exposition to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal. San Diego was the first major port of call for ships passing through the newly opened Panama Canal.

In an effort to solidify the San Diego-Panama connection, the name of the park was changed to Balboa Park. This was done in honor of Spanish-born Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, the first European to spot the Pacific Ocean while on exploration in Panama.