The city of Chitré was founded on October 19, 1848, by the Provincial Chamber of Panama, who ruled that the parish district of Chitré, in the county of Los Santos, shall be founded as a separate entity from the district of Los Santos and consist of Chitré, Monagrillo and La Arena. It is known as "The city that grows by itself" and "The city where nobody is a stranger."

Its old quarter preserves a historic collection of houses, churches, plazas, avenues and parks, along with an important heritage of museums. Among the cultural events that they celebrate, highlights include Holy Week in Chitré, the St. John the Baptist patron saint festival and Carnival.