Culture and Gastronomy of Panamá

Panamá is a destination where culture and gastronomy are experienced with intensity. Here, our Indigenous roots, African heritage, and European influences intertwine to create a unique identity. From traditional flavors to creative signature cuisines, and through artistic expressions, festivals, and ancestral customs, every corner of the country invites you to discover a mosaic of authentic experiences. If you're looking for things to do in Panamá beyond its landscapes, immerse yourself in its rich cultural and culinary heritage.

World Gastronomy and Historical Heritage
Ancestral Culture and Living Folklore
A Journey to Our Heritage

Platillos del restaurante Madu en San Francisco, Ciudad de Panamá.

World Gastronomy and Historical Heritage

Gastronomy is big in Panamá, with four restaurants on the LATAM 50 Best extended list. Our capital is a UNESCO Creative Gastronomic City, offering flavors, spices, and culinary experiences to please any foodie.

History seekers can explore our historic sites and landmarks to discover how they shaped our identity. Besides visiting the always impressive Panama Canal, explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites like, the first European settlement in the Pacific, and the oldest Spanish fort.

Crushing cocoa in a traditional way in Naso Tjër Di community in Bocas del Toro, Panamá

Ancestral Culture and Living Folklore

Embark on a transformative journey by connecting with our seven thriving indigenous peoples, who are eager to welcome you and share their way of life. Who better to guide you around pristine landscapes than their original keepers? or to show you ancestral methods of cultivating artisanal cacao?

Engage with the two Afro cultures of Panamá, the Congos and the Afro-Antillean community, settled on separate sides of our Caribbean coast. Come hungry for spices, coconut flavors, and seafood. Their authentic recipes, rhythms, crafts, and history will leave a lasting impression.

Panamanian folklore is unmissable. Spanish influences in the pollera, our national dress, and the artistry of weaving a pinta’o hat are impressive tokens of our identity. Dance to la mejorana and el tamborito at local festivals. Get hand-made cutarras and don’t miss our national treats: hojaldres, carimañolas, and sancocho are key dishes you’ll want to come back for.

Mujer baila visitiendo la Pollera, traje típico de Panamá, en las calles de Portobelo.

A Journey to Our Heritage

Surprise your taste buds with modern Panamanian cuisine, taste the world’s most valuable coffee directly from the source, enjoy farm-to-table experiences, and learn how rum is made from sugar cane. Travel the world from your dining table, indulging in authentic international cuisines and embracing unexpected flavors through creative fusion plates. Eating in Panamá is a vivid journey through our heritage.