Panama
What to eat and drink in Panama: dishes, etiquette and dietary tips
Try Panama’s national chicken soup (sancocho), fresh corvina ceviche, beef‑filled carimañola and fried plantain patacones; skip dishes with shellfish if you’re allergic, and switch to vegetarian options in Panama City or Bocas. Change your choice if you have a dairy or gluten restriction.
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GuidePanama
Key facts
- Legal drinking age
- 18
- Balboa price
- US$1.50–4
- Seco Herrerano price
- US$3–6
- Geisha coffee price
- US$5–15 per cup
Quick answer
Panama’s must‑try dishes are sancocho (chicken soup), ceviche de corvina, arroz con pollo, carimañola (fried yuca with beef), and patacones. Breakfast staples include hojaldra and tortilla de maíz. Street‑food safety is generally good in busy markets; choose stalls with high turnover.
Typical meal costs
A basic lunch at a fonda (set menu) costs about US$5–8, while a mid‑range restaurant meal runs US$12–20. Street‑food snacks such as a ceviche cup or a raspao are US$2–4.
| Meal type | Price (US$) |
|---|---|
| Fonda set lunch | 5–8 |
| Mid‑range restaurant | 12–20 |
| Street‑food snack | 2–4 |
Street food safety
Choose stalls with a visible line of customers and where food is prepared to order. Ceviche cups sold at Mercado de Mariscos are popular and safe when served fresh. Avoid any stand that leaves cooked food sitting for long periods.
Dining etiquette and dietary tips
In fondas point to dishes on the menu or display. Ceviche is served in small cups; eat with a fork. Vegetarian meals are easy to find in Panama City and Bocas, but on San Blas islands fish dominates. For gluten‑free diets stick to rice, plantain and yuca dishes. Show the Spanish allergy card ("Soy alérgico/a a…") if you have shellfish, peanut or dairy sensitivities.
- Ask for "sin carne" for vegetarian options.
- Tell island operators your diet in advance.
- Avoid hojaldra if gluten‑free.
Questions people ask
What are the must‑try dishes in Panama?
Sancocho, corvina ceviche, arroz con pollo, carimañola, patacones, and hojaldra are the core dishes; each reflects a regional style.
How much does a meal cost in Panama?
A simple fonda lunch is US$5–8, a restaurant plate US$12–20, and street‑food snacks US$2–4.
Is street food safe in Panama?
Yes, when you pick busy stalls that prepare food to order and keep it hot; avoid places where food sits out for long periods.
Can I find vegetarian options?
Vegetarian meals are common in Panama City and Bocas; on San Blas islands you may need to arrange them ahead of time.
What is the legal drinking age?
The legal age for alcohol purchase and consumption is 18.
Check live
Prices, schedules, rules and availability change. Open these to confirm today's details before you book.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialPanama Tourism Authority
Ask about Panama
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