Flavors and Roots of Panama Food Crawl : Tastings & Culture
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
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.
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
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.
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.
What‘s Included
Multiple food tastings across different street food vendors
Travel tips & food recommendations for the rest of your stay
Guided food tour led by a bilingual local expert
Cultural insights & food storytelling at each stop
Neighborhood exploration through local markets or streets
Transfers
Options
Flavors and Roots of Panama Food Crawl : Tastings & Culture
Reviews
6 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Experience the REAL tastes of Panama!
Kimya J,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00You will experience the REAL Panama with Catherine - an energetic, insightful, and knowledgeable tour guide. Catherine will ensure that you visit all the highlights and TASTE the city: fresh squeezed juices from fruits you’ve likely never seen; smoky roasted pork, grilled chicken and traditional bacalao (salted cod fish); your choice of ceviche (we didn’t know there were so many different types!). A well-paced three hours learning the history of the country and the people but with sweet treats! Catherine was warm and embraced us like family; because of her, we have a wonderful appreciation for Panama. Muchas gracias, Catherine!!
Amazing tour
swimtravel75,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Catherine was wonderful. So helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. We had an amazing experience. Highly recommend
Experience the Tastes, Sights & Sounds of Panama!
Kijjy,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00You will experience the REAL Panama with Catherine - an energetic, insightful, and knowledgeable tour guide. Catherine will ensure that you visit all the highlights and TASTE the city: fresh squeezed juices from fruits you’ve likely never seen; smoky roasted pork, grilled chicken and traditional bacalao (salted cod fish); your choice of ceviche (we didn’t know there were so many different types!). A well-paced three hours learning the history of the country and the people but with sweet treats! Catherine was warm and embraced us like family; because of her, we have a wonderful appreciation for Panama. Muchas gracias, Catherine!!
Great experience to learn about local food
CertainSongs,Mar 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00With all of the restaurants in the main tourist areas, it would be easy to visit Panama and completely miss the great flavors of local food culture. Catherine did a great job taking us to various markets and street food vendors, and painted a fuller picture of life in Panama, its culture, and its food. Highly recommended!
Delicious, educational and delightful
Ron K,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00At the outset, our tour guide, Catherine, was absolutely amazing Welcoming, engaging and knowledgeable, our culinary adventure began at the oldest food market in Panama, albeit modernized since its inception. The smells were virtually intoxicating. Starting with an array of local exotic fruit juices that joyfully awakened our taste buds, we graduated onto tidbits of fruits encased in the ubiquitous sugar cane indigenous to Central America. These resembled jelly candy, but with an unusual flair. Strolling onto an outdoor seating area, Catherine ventured back to the market returning with goodies including “sopa de carne con vegetales”( meat soup with vegetables), hot and delicious, along with plantains of some sort, something called bollo (sp?) presumably made from a combination of corn meal and whatever else that simply enhanced the offerings. Already reaching a state of belly fullness, we took a lovely stroll through parts of Casco Viejo onto the fish market and the nearby fishing boats. Catherine then introduced us to ceviche, the citrus “cooked” raw fish, calamari, shrimp, “mariscos”, which accompanied by a cold Balboa ( the national beer) set off yet another tasteful delight. Finally, we capped off the tour with another stop for cappuccino ending a perfectly lovely gastronomical adventure.
From US$60.00
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