Experience, Understand and Support Discover the way the local panamanians live, taste, touch, listen and you will get a completely new feel for the country as you discover everyday life here. Learning about the culture, about what moves the people of Panama and how they live will give you a deeper understanding of the things you see.

1. Experience
Discover the way the
locals live. Taste,
touch, listen… you
will get a completely
new feel for the
country as you
discover everyday life
here.
Page 3
Understand
Learning about the
culture, about what
moves the people of
Panama and how
they live will give you
a deeper
understanding of the
things you see.
Page 4
Support
By getting involved
with the local
population and
buying local products,
you are directly
supporting the local
economy and
development.
Page 5
Go Local In Panama
5 ways to experience the ways of the locals

2. 2
Visit the Fish Market
A truly local experience in the heart of Panama City
The Mercado de Mariscos is the city fish market, open for
business to local restaurants and the public every day except
the 3rd Monday of each month when it is closed completely
for thorough cleaning. It's the best place to buy fresh fish in
Panama City - everything from tuna to snapper to lobster to
octopus - or ceviche to go from one of the many vendors. It's
bustling with energy as local shoppers mingle with tourists to
inspect the day’s catch.
On the outside of the market you find numerous small stalls
selling Ceviche (a Panamanian specialty made with fish
cured in lemon juice) and some other typical seafood dishes.
Join the crowds for lunch with cup of your favorite type of
fresh cold Ceviche or seafood cocktail, or head upstairs to the
casual restaurant where you get a variety of typical
Panamanian seafood dishes.
Take your time to taste the bounty of Panama’s oceans
(some scholars even say that the word “Panama” originally
meant “abundance of fish”), have a look around, and feel
that you have now really arrived in Panama.

3. 3
Shop Locally
Whether you are looking for
souvenirs, food or just leisure
shopping: buying local is
always best.
By buying local produce you
support the community you
are visiting and make sure
your money goes to the
producers and small vendors.
When buying local crafts
especially, try to buy them
from the artist, to make sure
the craftsman gets a fair price.
Buy indigenous crafts only
from indigenous vendors.
Try something new
Have you tried a local snack
yet? Get some local fruit,
maybe even something you’ve
never had before.
Or how about a Panamanian
beverage? There are four types
of national beers to be tried,
and a variety of freh fruit
bevereages (chicha) are
available almost everywhere.
Especially in Panama City,
you will find many street
vendors selling little snacks:
give them a try!
Local crafts
There is a variety of local
crafts you can find in
Panama: The Kuna Women
from San Blas sell their
brightly colored Mola (a type
of Patchwork), the Embera
culture is renowned for their
craving and basket weaving
skills, and in addition to that
you can find everything from
wood carving to jewelry.
Do not forget the most typical
of all:
A well crafted Panama hat.
D

4. 4
Visit a folklore show
Folklore dance performances
and traditional shows can be
visited in Panama City. See the
skilled dancers in traditional
dress perform a variety of
folklore
Meet the indigenous people
There are seven distinct
indigenous cultures present in
Panama, who have their own
traditions and largely
maintain a traditional way of
life.
Visit the Embera on the banks
of Chagres river to learn about
their tradtions, or travel to
San Blas archipelago to get a
glimpse of the traditional
Kuna lifestyle.
From Saint’s days to village
fairs, there are many
celebrations throughout the
year. Find out if there is one
happening whiele you are here!
Witness a local celebration
Get immersed in the culture
Discover the culture and
traditions of Panama. The
country is a melting pot of
different cultures, where
Indigenous, Afro-Antillean,
Spanish and American
influences mingle and mix,
which leads to a colorful
and diverse folklore,
traditions and local
celebrations.
Discover the people of
Panama through their
cultural heritage!
B

5. 5
Visiting a sustainable farm to see
how local produce is made gives
you a great way to experience the
local lifestyle outside the city, and
you get the chance to buy some
great products directly from the
source!
In the highlands of Boquete, some
of the best coffee in the world is
grown. The fresh mountain
climate makes your walk through
the plantation a pleasant excursion
as you see, smell and taste the
secrets of the black beans.
Coffee
Head for the Bocas del Toro
Archipelago to discover how
chocolate is grown and produced.
Learn about the mythology and
secret powers the indigenous tribes
attributed to the cocoa plants, and
learn to see this delicious treat as
more than just a sweet…
Chocolate
See a farm

6. Hear the sound of Panama
Panama has a rich and diverse music history, and
important contributions to Cumbia, Saloma, Pasillo,
Punta, Tamborito, Mejorana, Bolero, Jazz, Salsa,
Reggae, Calypso, Rock and other musical genres.
Discover some of Panama’s popular musicians, and
hear the rhythms that move Panamanians.
Danilo Perez is one of the best Jazz composers of
contemporary times, and the founder of the
Panama Jazz festival. The Pianist and Singer is an
Icon of Panamanian Jazz.
Carlos Mendes began his career as an acoustic
independent singer in bars and clubs around
Panama. His mellow songs stir up the feeling of
the long tropical nights of Panama.
Ruben Blades, born July 16, 1948, is notably the most
renowned musician that has Panama has ever had. His
hit "Patria" has probably been the song that has
touched the nationalism of all Panamanians and people
of all nationalities.
Cinefue combines elements of traditional folk music
with modern rock and independent sounds.
Additionally, you will find many life musicians in
Panama city, in bars as well as in the countless
festivals and ferias around the city. So lean back,
and discover your favorite Panamanian sound.