Panama is a vibrant Central American nation offering a unique blend of modern cosmopolitan life, rich colonial history, and pristine natural wonders. From the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal to the cobblestone streets of Casco Viejo and the untouched beaches of Bocas del Toro, Panama provides diverse experiences for every traveler.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Mola
Intricately hand-stitched reverse appliqué fabric panels created by the Guna indigenous people of San Blas. Each mola tells a story through geometric and animal patterns.
Price: $15-80
Where: San Blas Islands, Mercado Nacional de Artesanías
Panama Hat (Sombrero Pintado)
Contrary to popular belief, Panama's national hat is the pintado woven from toquilla palm. Handwoven in Ocú and La Pintada and worn at festivals.
Price: $20-100
Where: Mercado Nacional de Artesanías, El Valle market
Ngöbe-Buglé Pottery
Hand-shaped clay pots and figures decorated with traditional motifs from the Ngöbe-Buglé indigenous community in Chiriquí. Each piece is fired using ancient techniques.
Price: $10-50
Where: Mercado Nacional de Artesanías, Chiriquí markets
Gold Huaca Replicas
Handcrafted gold and silver reproductions of pre-Columbian huacas (golden figurines) representing frogs, eagles, and warriors found in ancient burial sites.
Price: $25-200
Where: Reprosa store in Marbella, Albrook Mall
Embera Woven Baskets
Tightly woven baskets made from chunga palm by Embera communities in Chagres National Park. Geometric patterns in natural and dyed fibres.
Price: $30-150
Where: Embera village tours, Mercado Nacional de Artesanías
Café Kotowa or Geisha Coffee
Panama is home to some of the world's most prized coffee. Boquete's Geisha variety consistently wins global competitions and makes an exceptional gift.
Price: $15-60
Where: Kotowa Coffee Shop, Boquete farms, airport duty-free
Ron Abuelo Rum
Panama's most celebrated aged rum produced in the Azuero Peninsula from local sugar cane. The 12-year and Centuria varieties are particularly sought after.
Price: $12-45
Where: El Rey supermarket, El Machetazo, duty-free stores
Pollera Miniatures
Miniature figurines dressed in Panama's national dress, the pollera — an elaborate hand-embroidered dress worn at festivals in the Azuero Peninsula.
Price: $15-50
Where: Mercado Nacional de Artesanías, Las Tablas area
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Mercado Nacional de Artesanías
Panama's premier artisan market housed in a purpose-built facility next to the canal. Dozens of stalls selling molas, hats, ceramics, jewelry, and indigenous crafts from all over Panama.
Where: Vía Cincuentenario near Miraflores Locks, Panama City
Hours: 8AM-6PM daily
Mercado de Mariscos (Seafood Market)
Bustling waterfront fish market where vendors sell fresh catches from both Pacific and Caribbean coasts. The upstairs restaurant serves some of the best ceviche in Panama.
Where: Avenida Balboa, Casco Viejo waterfront, Panama City
Hours: 6AM-5PM daily
El Valle Sunday Market
Weekly artisan market in the crater of an extinct volcano offering orchids, carved wood, stone carvings, molinillo sticks, and fresh produce from highland farms.
Where: El Valle de Antón, 120 km from Panama City
Hours: 7AM-2PM Sundays
Reprosa Silver & Gold Workshop Market
Workshop and showroom of Panama's most prestigious jewelry manufacturer specializing in pre-Columbian replica gold pieces and sterling silver crafts certified as authentic reproductions.
Where: Avenida Samuel Lewis, Marbella, Panama City
Hours: 9AM-6PM Mon-Sat
Mercado Colmena (Colmena Market)
Neighborhood market popular with locals selling fresh produce, herbs, household goods, and cheap Panamanian street food. An authentic market experience away from tourist crowds.
Where: Via España, El Cangrejo, Panama City
Hours: 7AM-8PM daily
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Casco Viejo
UNESCO heritage district with boutique galleries, handmade jewelry studios, and artisan shops inside restored colonial buildings. Best for unique Panamanian art and design.
Best for: Artisan souvenirs, gallery art, local fashion
Calle Uruguay
Panama City's main dining and nightlife street also lined with boutiques, shoe shops, and trendy stores. Part of the Marbella/Bella Vista upscale district.
Best for: Fashion, shoes, restaurants, bars
Multiplaza Pacific
Panama City's most upscale mall in Punta Pacifica featuring luxury international brands, fine dining, a 14-screen cinema, and a rooftop food court with Bay of Panama views.
Best for: Luxury brands, international fashion
Via Argentina
Charming pedestrian-friendly street in El Cangrejo with cafés, bookstores, ice cream shops, and mid-range boutiques. Popular with locals and expats for everyday shopping.
Best for: Cafes, local boutiques, books, everyday shopping
Colón Free Trade Zone
One of the world's largest free trade zones just 75 km from Panama City offering duty-free prices on electronics, perfumes, watches, and clothing for bulk buyers.
Best for: Electronics, perfume, watches at wholesale prices
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Albrook Mall
The largest mall in Latin America located next to the Albrook Bus Terminal with over 700 stores, food court, amusement park, and easy metro access. Popular with locals and budget shoppers.
Hours: 10AM-9PM daily
Multiplaza Pacific
Panama City's premium luxury mall in Punta Pacifica with anchor stores Louis Vuitton, Zara, and H&M, plus a large food court and cinema overlooking the Bay of Panama.
Hours: 10AM-9PM daily (restaurants until 11PM)
Metromall Panama
Modern mall near Tocumen Airport connected to the Courtyard Marriott offering electronics, fashion chains, supermarket, and food court. Convenient for transit shoppers.
Hours: 10AM-9PM daily
Los Pueblos
Large local-oriented mall in south Panama City featuring mainstream fashion brands, home goods, electronics, and a popular food court. More affordable pricing than luxury malls.
Hours: 10AM-9PM daily
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Prices at Mercado Nacional de Artesanías are somewhat fixed but gentle negotiation for multiple items is acceptable
At the El Valle Sunday Market, vendors expect bargaining — start at 60-70% of asking price
In formal malls and branded stores, prices are fixed and bargaining is not appropriate
Guna mola vendors on San Blas Islands may negotiate slightly but respect their craft pricing
Buying multiple items from the same vendor often yields a better overall price without explicit bargaining
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Pre-Columbian artifacts (huacas) cannot be exported — only certified replicas from stores like Reprosa are allowed. CITES restrictions apply to animals, feathers, and some wood products.
Tax Refund: Panama does not have a formal tourist VAT refund scheme. Prices include the 7% ITBMS sales tax.
Duty Free: Travelers can bring back $800 worth of goods to the US duty-free. Colón Free Trade Zone purchases require documentation for large quantities.
Shipping: International shipping available at Albrook Mall's DHL and FedEx counters. Many artisan shops can arrange shipping for fragile or large items.