In the highlands of Ecuador, amidst the lush greenery and tranquil landscapes, lies the town of Montecristi, renowned for its centuries-old tradition of crafting the finest straw hats in the world. The Montecristi hat, often referred to as the Panama hat, embodies not only exquisite craftsmanship but also a rich cultural heritage that has endured through generations.  The journey of a Montecristi hat begins with the harvesting of the toquilla straw, known scientifically as Ca

HOW A GENUINE PANAMA HAT IS MADE? Entirely handwoven by skilled craftsmen in Ecuador who perform this activity following traditional methods inherited from their ancestors, usually in the warm atmosphere of their home. This art of weaving hats is in danger of extinction and it has been recognised as world's Intangible Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO. We will explain here why the Genuine Panama Hats are so unique and hard to find in the global market. HOW TO RECOGNISE A GENUIN

Mission La Marqueza was founded with the specific goal to prevent the impending extinction of the art of fine hat weaving in Montecristi plus offer the best selection of top quality Panama Hats made in my country Ecuador to export them around the world. Passion It all started because my great grandfather was one of the builders of the Panama Canal! So, it was natural for me the desire to know more about all the histories around the Panama Canal build, then, surprisingly I arr

Some of the most frequent questions when looking to purchase a Genuine Panama Hat are: what is the origin of these hats and why they are called “Panama Hats” ?, Are Panamas made in Panama or Ecuador?, Who invented the Panama hats? I will summarise your doubts about the origin of the iconic "Panama Hat" to help you to make the right decision. The origin of the famous Panama Hats can be traced from the 16th century when the Spanish conquerors first noticed the beautiful headpie