Culture & Cuisine in Panamá

Panamá is a feast for the senses! Our culture and cuisine reflect our diversity, where indigenous roots, African heritage, and European influence live together peacefully, creating a rich mosaic of preserved, authentic, and flavorful cultures.

Aerial view of creative gastronomy dishes at Madu restaurant in Panama City

Flavor Beyond Borders

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

Unveil Our Cultural Mosaic

Embark on a transformative journey by connecting with our seven thriving indigenous peoples, 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.

Woman dancing with a colorful Pollera Conga at colonial street of Portobelo, Colon province

Culture in Motion

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.