Panama City: Casco Viejo Market Tour & Panamanian Cooking Class

Summary

Fresh ceviche at Mercado de Mariscos, laughter in the kitchen, real Panama flavors

You’ll wander Panama City’s Old Town markets with a local guide, pick out fresh ingredients for classic dishes like ceviche and tamales, then cook side-by-side with a chef who shares family stories along the way. Taste what you made over lunch with drinks included — and maybe leave with sticky fingers and new friends.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I was nervous about my knife skills before this Panama City cooking class. But as soon as we met our guide outside El Nacional in Casco Viejo, that faded. She greeted us like old friends and led us straight into the morning buzz of the Old Town markets. The seafood market hit me first: sharp salt in the air, fishermen shouting over crates of corvina. Our guide handed me a slippery fish and grinned — “for your ceviche,” she said. I’ve never picked out fish for myself before; felt oddly proud.

Next stop was Mercado San Felipe Neri — total sensory overload in the best way. Bright fruit piled high, vendors calling out prices (I only caught every third word), and the smell of ripe mango mixing with something spicy I couldn’t quite place. We dodged carts and sampled little pieces of pineapple while our guide explained which herbs go into proper pollo guisado. She knew half the stall owners by name. I tried to say “carimañola” right and got a laugh from one of the ladies selling yucca — apparently my accent needs work.

Back at El Nacional’s kitchen, it was all hands on deck. The chef showed us how to wrap tamales in plantain leaves (mine looked like a lumpy pillow but he said it had “character”). Making carimañolas was trickier than I thought — that cassava dough sticks to everything. There was music playing quietly, someone poured us cold beer, and we just cooked together for a while without rushing. When we finally sat down to eat — ceviche so bright it almost stung, sweet plantains with cinnamon — I realized how much I’d learned just by watching everyone’s hands move.

I still think about that meal sometimes: flavors I can’t quite recreate at home, stories from our guide about her grandmother’s recipes, even the way the light came through the window while we ate. If you’re after a real day trip in Panama City that’s more than just eating — this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Market tour and cooking class in Casco Viejo

• Meet at Restaurante El Nacional
• Walk to Mercado de Mariscos
• Select fresh fish for ceviche
• Walk to Mercado San Felipe Neri
• Choose meats, fruits, and vegetables
• Return to cooking studio at El Nacional
• Prepare five course Panamanian meal
• Learn to make tamale and carimañola
• Enjoy sit down lunch with local drinks

Top questions

Where does the Panamanian cooking class start?

The tour starts at Restaurante El Nacional in Casco Viejo, Panama City’s colonial historic center.

Do I get to visit local markets during this experience?

Yes, you’ll walk through Mercado de Mariscos (seafood market) and Mercado San Felipe Neri for fresh ingredients.

Is lunch included in this cooking class?

Yes, after cooking you’ll enjoy a sit-down lunch featuring all the dishes you prepared during the class.

Are vegetarian or gluten-free options available?

Yes, all menu items can be adapted for vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian or gluten-free diets upon request.

How long does this day trip in Panama City last?

The entire experience lasts around four hours from start to finish.

Are drinks provided during the cooking class?

You’ll receive complimentary local drinks including sodas, juices, beer, cocktails or wine with your meal.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; you meet directly at Restaurante El Nacional in Casco Viejo.

Can children join this Panamanian cooking class?

The tour is open to all ages but only those 18+ can be served alcohol per local law.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided walk through Casco Viejo’s main food markets to select fresh ingredients for your personalized menu; hands-on Panamanian cooking class back at El Nacional; all necessary ingredients; cold bottled water for your walk; and a late lunch featuring everything you cooked together with complimentary drinks (sodas, juices, beer or wine) before heading out again into Panama City’s streets.