Panama City: Cooking Class with 10 Dishes & Bottomless Drinks

Summary

Hands-on panama city cooking class with mojitos ceviche & laughter

You’ll join locals in a Panama City home for a casual cooking class where you’ll prepare ten classic Panamanian dishes together—think ceviche, carimañolas, and butter cassava—with bottomless drinks flowing and easy laughter. Expect hands-on moments, new friends, and flavors you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the smell—something buttery and green, maybe the cassava? Winnie waved us in like old friends (I was nervous about my Spanish but she switched to English without blinking). There were already a few people gathered around the kitchen island, music playing low. Someone handed me a mojito before I’d even set down my bag. Not complaining.

We started chopping herbs for the pico de gallo—my knife skills aren’t exactly TV-worthy, but nobody cared. Winnie told stories about her grandmother’s arroz con pollo while we worked, and Li from Singapore tried to pronounce “carimañola” (Winnie laughed so hard she almost dropped her spoon). The ceviche tasted like lime and ocean; apparently it was that morning’s catch from the Pacific. I kept sneaking bites before we even sat down.

I didn’t expect to feel so at home in someone else’s kitchen. The chombo pepper sauce nearly blew my head off (in a good way?), but there was always another icy drink or a sweet bite of arroz con piña to balance it out. We all took photos of our plates—mine looked messy but honestly, I still think about that meal. It wasn’t fancy, just real food and real people. The night drifted on with second helpings and stories about Panama City life—at some point we stopped caring who made what dish.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Panamanian cooking class and dinner

• Arrive at welcoming Panama City home
• Gather around kitchen counter with locals
• Prepare 10 traditional Panamanian recipes
• Enjoy bottomless mojitos and iced tea
• Make starters: Pico de Gallo, Butter Cassava, fish ceviche, Picante sauce, Carimanõlas
• Cook main dish: arroz con pollo
• Prepare desserts: arroz con piña and Chicheme
• Dine together and socialize with group

Top questions

How many recipes do you make during this Panama City cooking class?

You’ll prepare 10 different Panamanian recipes together during the class.

Are vegetarian options available for this cooking class?

Yes, vegetarian meals and non-alcoholic drinks can be requested in advance.

Does the class include alcoholic beverages?

Yes, bottomless mojitos and other alcoholic drinks are included throughout the experience.

Is there hotel pickup included for this Panama City cooking class?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; guests arrive at the host’s home directly.

Can children join this Panama cooking experience?

Infants and small children can attend if they’re in a pram or stroller.

What are some of the dishes cooked in this class?

Dishes include fish ceviche, carimañolas, arroz con pollo, butter cassava, pico de gallo salsa, two desserts, and more.

Is pork used in any of the recipes?

No pork is used in any of the dishes prepared during this class.

What’s included

Your evening includes all ingredients for ten traditional Panamanian recipes—like ceviche and arroz con pollo—plus unlimited mojitos and other drinks (alcoholic or not), bottled water and soda. Dinner is shared family-style at your host’s table before you head back into Panama City’s night air.