Your guide will meet you in Panama’s picturesque old town, known as Casco Antiguo. As you walk you’ll chat chocolate first, learning about Panama's world-famous organic varieties, the chocolate of choice for world-class chocolatiers from Europe and beyond. The cacao comes from the Bocas del Toro province and is sold all over the world.
Next up, it’s time to learn about the legendary Panama hat! Ironically, the Panama hats that you would recognize are actually made in Ecuador, BUT, we’ll show you hats that are actually made in Panama as well. These hats are true collector’s items!
The next stop will be at a well-known factory that specializes in handicrafts and ornate ornaments. One-third of all the world’s gold has passed through Panama, so it would be wrong not to show you some! You’ll also check out the highest quality artisan crafts like mola, a handmade material often used to form part of the traditional outfit of a Guna Indian woman, and handwoven baskets dyed with natural colors known as canastas. You’ll also see cocobolos (rosewood carvings), taguas (ivory nuts) and plenty more.
You then head out to a shop full of local woven and carved artisanal products. Panama is famous for its seven indigenous groups and this shop represents the Embera and Wounaan groups. Arts and crafts here are made by the indigenous people themselves.
You’ll finish your shopping tour at an award-winning coffee shop and enjoy a cup of the good stuff.