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Offered languages
- English
- Spanish
Start your journey in a rehabilitated local market that preserves the spirit of Panamanian commerce since the mid-20th century. Begin with tropical fruit tastings and traditional sweet flavors before moving through the market’s animal products section, where you’ll learn about whole-animal cooking and the Afro-Caribbean roots of one of Panama’s most beloved traditional dishes.
Continue with a stop at local fondas, where the Panamanian “plate of the day” reflects the country’s everyday food culture. Then head toward the seafood market, where the city’s close connection to the sea comes alive through fresh catches and artisanal fishing culture. Along the way, enjoy a ceviche stop, a refreshing local drink by the waterfront, and a walk through historic streets that reveal the contrast between old Panama and the modern skyline. The experience ends at a historic café with classic local snacks and coffee.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Please note that the exact meeting point address will be provided by our booking manager shortly after your reservation is confirmed, as our starting location may vary since we have two possible locations. Our warm, knowledgeable guide Catherine will be there to greet you.
Itinerary
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1
Historical context and tropical fruit tastings (guanábana, borojó, orange with raspadura, tamarind sweets) Start your journey at Mercado San Felipe Neri, an emblematic site whose name honors San Felipe Neri. The current building is a rehabilitated gem that preserves the essence of Panamanian popular commerce since the mid-20th century. Begin with a sensory introduction through tropical fruit tastings. Enjoy natural juices while learning about guanábana, prized for its medicinal properties, and borojó, known as the “fruit of love” in the Darién region. Taste refreshing orange with raspadura, the artisanal sugarcane sweetener that has fed Panamanian campesinos for centuries, along with traditional tamarind sweets.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
Continue into the heart of the market, exploring the animal products section and learning about the importance of using the whole animal in subsistence gastronomy. Here, you will be introduced to Sao, a pickled pig’s foot dish with deep Afro-Caribbean roots that arrived during the construction of the Canal and became a staple of popular celebrations.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
Then experience the Panamanian table at local fondas, where workers traditionally enjoy their “plate of the day.” Taste a variety of dishes including bistec picado, bacalao with coconut rice, plátano en tentación, and guacho de mariscos, a thick rice soup representing the fusion of sea and land.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
Walk toward the seafood market while discovering the historical area of the old fiscal checkpoint, where goods entering the city were once controlled. Observe artisanal fishing boats and learn to identify key species such as corvina, red snapper, tuna, and mackerel.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
Near the entrance of Casco Antiguo, stop at a traditional kiosk to enjoy ceviche, either corvina or octopus marinated in fresh lime, paired with a local Panama Beer or Balboa.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6
Continue to La Playita, where you’ll enjoy a refreshing raspao with condensed milk while discovering the striking contrast between the historic Casco Antiguo, founded in 1673 after the destruction of Panamá Viejo by the pirate Henry Morgan, and the modern skyline of Punta Paitilla and the Cinta Costera.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7Salsipuedes
From there, walk through Avenida B and the famous “Sal Si Puedes” passage, once a crowded and labyrinthine hub of Asian and local commerce. Cross through Plaza Santa Ana, which in the 19th century served as the political and social center of the arrabal, the area outside the walls of Casco.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8Cafe Coca Cola
End your experience at the historic Café Coca-Cola, the only café in the world outside the United States that was authorized to use the brand name in its early years. Opened in 1875, it has hosted politicians, intellectuals, and figures such as Che Guevara. Close with hojaldres and tortillas de maíz, accompanied by a national coffee. With this, the journey comes to an end — with the heart full of history and the palate full of Panama.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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