Panama City: Geisha Coffee & Chocolate Tasting Tour Casco Viejo

Summary

Geisha coffee aromas meet Bocas del Toro chocolate in Panama’s old quarter

You’ll sip rare Geisha coffee in a historic hotel, learn its story from bean to cup with your local guide, then taste rich Bocas del Toro chocolate in Casco Viejo. Private transport keeps things relaxed as you wander between stops. Expect small surprises—like new flavors or friendly laughs—that linger long after you leave Panama City.

What’s the experience like?

So there we were, sitting at this sunlit table in Hotel La Concordia, watching steam curl up from the pour-over like it was trying to escape back to the mountains. Our guide, Ana, had this way of making the story of Geisha coffee sound kind of epic but also personal — she even passed around a handful of beans so we could feel how dry and papery they were. I’d tasted plenty of coffee before, but nothing quite like this; it was floral and bright, almost sweet enough that I didn’t want to add sugar (which is saying something for me). There was a little pause after my first sip where nobody said anything — just the clink of a spoon and some distant music from the street outside Casco Viejo.

I didn’t expect to get so into the chocolate part, honestly. We wandered over to I LOVE PANAMA CHOCOLATE (the name made me laugh), and suddenly everything smelled like warm cocoa and fruit. The owner explained how Bocas del Toro’s cocoa gets its flavor from all that rain and sun on the Caribbean coast — he even let us snap off pieces straight from a big bar. I tried asking about “conching” in Spanish and totally butchered it; he just grinned and handed me another sample. There’s something about tasting chocolate right where it’s made that makes you rethink those supermarket bars at home.

Private transportation was a relief since Casco Viejo’s streets are all cobbles and narrow turns — our driver joked about his “shortcut” but I think he just wanted to show us a mural he liked. Everything felt easygoing but thoughtful, not rushed. Looking back, it’s the little things that stick: Ana’s laugh when someone asked if Geisha beans are really worth the hype (she just shrugged), or how the air inside the chocolate shop was cool compared to the sticky heat outside. If you’re curious about Panama’s flavors — real ones, not touristy stuff — this day trip from Panama City feels like a good way in.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Geisha coffee and chocolate tasting

• Visit Hotel La Concordia
• Enjoy Geisha coffee pour-over
• Learn Geisha coffee history
• Go to I LOVE PANAMA CHOCOLATE
• Experience chocolate tasting
• Discover Panama's chocolate culture

Top questions

Is pickup included for this Geisha coffee & chocolate tour?

Yes, private transportation with pickup is included for all guests.

Where does the chocolate tasting take place?

The chocolate tasting happens at I LOVE PANAMA CHOCOLATE in Casco Viejo.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and vehicles used on this tour are wheelchair accessible.

How much does the Geisha coffee tasting cost?

The Geisha coffee tasting experience is valued at $35 per person and is included in your tour price.

Are infants or small children allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are welcome.

Is lunch provided during this day trip?

No lunch is included, but both coffee and chocolate tastings are part of your experience.

How long does it take to travel between stops?

The stops are close together within Casco Viejo; transfers are short by private vehicle.

What’s included

Your day includes private air-conditioned transportation with pickup, a guided Geisha coffee tasting experience at Hotel La Concordia (worth $35 per person), Panamanian chocolate sampling at I LOVE PANAMA CHOCOLATE in Casco Viejo, plus an English- and Spanish-speaking live guide throughout—all fully accessible for wheelchairs or strollers.