Panama hat mountain range. Hat weaving and wearing grew steadily in Ecuador through the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1835, Manuel Alfaro, a man who in many ways can be considered the grandfather of the Panama hat, arrived in Montecristi to make his name and fortune in Panama hats. He set up a Panama hat business with his main objective being exportation. Cargo ships from Guayaquil and Manta were filled with his merchandise and headed to the Gulf of Panama. His business prospered as more and more Gold Rush prospectors arrived and passed through Panama needing a hat for the sun. One
La Pintada, Panama the cigar brand Cigarros Joyas de Panamá is located in the town. There is also a small artisans' market that sells Panama hats and various local crafts. La Pintada, Panama La Pintada is a corregimiento and town in La Pintada District, Coclé Province, Panama. It is the seat of La Pintada District. It has a land area of and had a population of 3,882 as of 2010, giving it a population density of . Its population as of 1990 was 3,515; its population as of 2000 was 3,733. The town is located in the hills 13 km northwest of Penonomé.