You could be forgiven for making assumptions about the origins of the Panama Hat, but all genuine woven hats originate from Ecuador. Thousands were shipped from Ecuador to Panama during the construction of the canal, where they protected workers from the beating sun’s rays and gained popularity as well as their name. The Panama Hat factory in Cuenca produces some of the finest quality woven hats, while the superbly organised museum gives a comprehensive breakdown of the stages of production. After learning more about the process you can visit the gift-shop to purchase the genuine article if you would like a souvenir.