Walk through the Old Quarter and Local Markets of Panama
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 12 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Walk through the Old Quarter and Local Markets of Panama worth booking?
Walk through the Old Quarter and Local Markets of Panama is a 4-hour experience in Panama City, Panama, from $120 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 12 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (12)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $120 per person
Live a local experience that combines history, culture and gastronomy. We will explore the Old Town, a colonial gem and World Heritage Site, as we walk through its squares full of history and architecture, we will share curious anecdotes and historical sites that give life to the city. Then, we will enter the popular heart of Panama, the famous arrabal, where the energy of local life is felt when walking through its streets. We will visit public markets where the aromas of tropical fruits and fresh vegetables are mixed. Here you can taste authentic flavors, see crafts, folkloric clothes and see the lifestyle of the Panamanian people. From Chinatown to traditional food outlets, you’ll experience a cultural fusion that defines Panamanian identity. Ideal for those who want to go beyond the touristic places and experience Panama as a local, through its stories, its flavors and its people.
What you get
About this experience
Live a local experience that combines history, culture and gastronomy. We will explore the Old Town, a colonial gem and World Heritage Site, as we walk through its squares full of history and architecture, we will share curious anecdotes and historical sites that give life to the city. Then, we will enter the popular heart of Panama, the famous arrabal, where the energy of local life is felt when walking through its streets. We will visit public markets where the aromas of tropical fruits and fresh vegetables are mixed. Here you can taste authentic flavors, see crafts, folkloric clothes and see the lifestyle of the Panamanian people. From Chinatown to traditional food outlets, you’ll experience a cultural fusion that defines Panamanian identity. Ideal for those who want to go beyond the touristic places and experience Panama as a local, through its stories, its flavors and its people.
What's included
Included
- Pick-up and drop-off service to place of stay included
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Bottled water
- Private transportation
- Personal tour guide
Not included
- Lunch
- Tips
What you'll see and do
We begin our tour at the Flag Monument, where we can appreciate spectacular views of Panama City and its skyscrapers and also learn the details of the evolution of Panama City. Includes transfer time from the hotel.
30 minutes here
Casco Viejo
We walk the charming and historic Casco Viejo, also known as Casco Antiguo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Where you can appreciate beautiful colonial architecture and learn about the rich culture and history that makes this area so special. We will visit iconic places such as the Plaza de Francia, the National Theater and the Metropolitan Cathedral, and you will closely appreciate the beauty and history of these buildings. We will also pass by several stores where you can buy some souvenirs from Panama. Includes travel time to get to the car.
180 minutes here
Then we pass the iconic place of sale of folk products in Panama City, where we will tell you unique stories of this place and you can acquire some folkloric souvenirs such as painted or reed hats.
10 minutes here
We arrive at the local San Felipe Neri Market, where you can learn about the local cuisine of Panama and have lunch, get some snacks and/or natural juices.
30 minutes here
We will stop by the Seafood Market so that you will know where to buy the freshest seafood products in Panama City and if you like also try the local cuisine.
15 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Home : Outside City/Amador
Home: Out of the City: Start from : Puerto Cruises Amador, Playa Bonita, Tocumen Airport, Santa Maria, Costa del Este, Gamboa or Summit. Pickup included
Home: Panama City
Option for those staying in Panama City center. Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Cositas De Panamá
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 12 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
12 verified traveler reviews for Walk through the Old Quarter and Local Markets of Panama. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing Team, highly recommend
Gabrielle was amazing. We did private city tour and all day Panamá canal road tour. He took his time, answered all the questions kids had. He took us to places we had no clue. Kids got to go zip lining. He was very patient and we took our time for everything. Highly highly recommend.
Response from the operator: Hey Deepali! 🙌🏼 It means a lot to know that Gabriel Eloy made your family's time in Panama so memorable. He goes above and beyond to create experiences that are never rushed, always personalized, and filled with meaningful moments for every member of the family. Thank you for trusting us with your Panama adventure. We hope your family takes home incredible memories of Panama, and we'll be here with open arms whenever you, your family and friends are ready for your next visit. Again, it’s a pleasure to take care of your visit in Panama 🫂.
via Tripadvisor
Great day
Best way to learn about the areas history, culture and current events. Mario was very personable and knowledge. He made the experience fun and informative. Highly recommend this experience with Mario.
Response from the operator: Dee and Gayle, thank you so much for your kind words! 🫂 It was truly a pleasure sharing Panama’s history, culture, and even current events with you in a fun and engaging way. That’s what we love most, helping our guests feel connected to the real Panama, not just seeing it. I’m also so happy you enjoyed experiencing the local flavors along the way! Tasting Panama is part of understanding it. 🔝 Remember, you have local friends here✌🏼. We combine great energy with professionalism to make every visit meaningful and memorable. We’d love to see you again! Cositas de Panamá Team 🇵🇦
via Viator
Buyer Beware
After 3 weeks of travel in Latin America and 12 private tours purchased on Viator for this trip, this is the first time I’m leaving a poor review on a tour. Buyer beware. Our 4 to 5 hour tour ended in 2.5 hours. To start, as soon as he picked us up the guide shared with us his speciality is canal tours rather than Casco Viejo. Immediate big red flag to start. We began in a local supermarket (at our request) and then proceeded to the first plaza in the Casco Viejo. The commentary provided was “This guy separated Colombia from Panama. He died in a battle, and his statue is on a horse because of it.” We then proceeded to walk several minutes toward the next plaza. Along the way, we asked the guide what to expect as we were concerned by the lackluster historical explanation provided. We were told we’d go see two more plazas in the Casco with similar commentary as the first one. We decided to ask the guide if it was possible to pivot to visit the more local attractions considering two sentences of “history” at each plaza wasn’t exactly our idea of a local-focused tour. We visited the produce and fish markets, the guide ran out of places to take us, and we were returned to the hotel. I contacted the operator for a half-refund considering we were given half the time, and they are currently refusing after absconding us for not sticking to the itinerary even after explaining the lackluster experience we were having while following the itinerary. I’d expect an operator so sure of the quality of their tour to at least have substance behind their product unlike the experience provided to us today. I believe we are very reasonable in our expectation to receive a half refund since we were given only half the time, especially considering the guide himself admitted he ran out of ideas of where to take us. This was the last tour of our vacation. What a terrible ending to a fantastic trip across 5 countries and supporting dozens of amazing local tour operators.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are genuinely sorry that this experience did not meet your expectations. We would, however, like to provide important context for future travelers so they can make an informed decision before booking. Buyer awareness is important, and we strongly encourage all guests to carefully read the tour description before confirming. This tour, Beyond the Old Town: Culture, History and Local Flavors, is designed to explore Casco Viejo through its plazas, historical landmarks, cultural context, and selected local food stops, guided by a structured itinerary. This was a private tour, which means flexibility is always possible. During the tour, the guests explicitly requested to skip historical monuments and plazas, expressed that they were not interested in history or cultural explanations, and asked to pivot toward other local areas. Respecting their wishes, the guide adjusted the route in real time. As a result, significant portions of the original itinerary were voluntarily skipped at the guests’ request, which naturally shortened the duration of the tour. For safety reasons, our guides do not take guests into certain local areas that pose security risks. Once the requested alternatives were completed and no further approved or safe stops were desired, the guests chose to end the tour early. This decision was not made by the guide or operator, but by the guests themselves. It is also important to note that at the end of the tour, the guide was thanked and tipped, which indicated satisfaction at that moment. Because the tour was shortened by guest choice and not due to a failure to operate the itinerary, a refund was respectfully declined, in line with Viator policies. We stand by the quality of our tours, our licensed guides, and our long track record of positive reviews from guests who engage with the itinerary as described. Our tours are immersive, contextual, and designed to help travelers understand what they are seeing, not simply pass through locations. For future travelers: ✔ Please review the itinerary carefully ✔ Let us know your interests in advance ✔ Understand that skipping parts of the tour will affect duration We remain committed to providing safe, professional, and meaningful experiences in Panama. Mario & Cositas de Panamá Team 🇵🇦
via Viator
Best guide I've ever had
This was an in depth immersion into Panamanian history. Our guide Mario was so proud and enthusiastic about his culture. We saw areas we would not have seen without this tour. We were a party of 4 with some mobility issues which Mario understood and made accommodations without it appearing to be doing so.
Response from the operator: Pattie, Leroy, Marcia & Kelly , thank you for spending the day with me! 😊 It means a lot that you felt the depth of Panama’s story. I’m proud to share our history and those little corners you might not have found on your own. We always tailor the route and pace so everyone feels comfortable, quietly, so the focus stays on enjoying the moment. When you’re back, I’ll have more views, neighborhoods, and flavors waiting for you. A warm abrazo from Panama 🇵🇦
via Viator
Passionately Panama - My Favourite Tour in the City!
Mario's warmth and charisma, plus his passion for Panama, will make this tour a highlight of your trip! I had already booked a Panama Canal tour with the company when I was looking for a walking/foodie tour that went beyond Casco Viejo to see more of Panama City. Mario was kind enough to tell me about this tour and to tailor it based on his knowledge and my interests. Beyond the sights themselves, I was able to learn so much more about Panama, its history, politics, people and culture all through an insider's perspective as Mario happily entertained all of my many questions. After the tour, he also made great recommendations for coffee shops, restaurants and rooftop patios to try for the rest of my stay. I've left Panama with a greater appreciation for it and its people and with a desire to come back one day to see more of the country! I highly recommend this tour!
Response from the operator: Carolyn 😮 Wow! Thank you so much for such a beautiful words 🫶🏼. It was truly a pleasure to walk Panama with you, beyond the common tourist route. A lot of talking and a nice walk, great time 🤝. Remember we have more to know and to talk. Keep enjoying 🙌🏼. Bless!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $120 to $280
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Cositas De Panamá, who run 4 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 58.0.
See everything Cositas De Panamá runsWhy this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Walk through the Old Quarter and Local Markets of Panama: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Panama City.
How much does Walk through the Old Quarter and Local Markets of Panama cost?
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Prices start at $120 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Panama City usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Walk through the Old Quarter and Local Markets of Panama take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Panama City is not rushed.
Is Walk through the Old Quarter and Local Markets of Panama worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 12 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Panama City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Walk through the Old Quarter and Local Markets of Panama?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Walk through the Old Quarter and Local Markets of Panama suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Walk through the Old Quarter and Local Markets of Panama?
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Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Panama City can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Panama City and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Walk through the Old Quarter and Local Markets of Panama start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Panama City within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Panama City?
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On Outty we rank every Panama City experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Tour to a waterfall and Embera village with lunch included, Ocean to Ocean Combo: Canal Boat Safari, Agua Clara & Gatun Locks, Half day of Panama city and canal tour: shared and private. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Panama City?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Panama City?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Walk through the Old Quarter and Local Markets of Panama?
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Included: Pick-up and drop-off service to place of stay included; Air-conditioned vehicle; Bottled water; Private transportation; and Personal tour guide. Not included: Lunch; and Tips. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Walk through the Old Quarter and Local Markets of Panama include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 168 listed pickup locations in and around Panama City. Be ready about 10 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Walk through the Old Quarter and Local Markets of Panama offered in?
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It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Walk through the Old Quarter and Local Markets of Panama?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Walk through the Old Quarter and Local Markets of Panama wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Walk through the Old Quarter and Local Markets of Panama if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Walk through the Old Quarter and Local Markets of Panama?
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Across 12 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, photo opportunities. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
What booking options are available for Walk through the Old Quarter and Local Markets of Panama?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Home : Outside City/Amador, Home: Panama City. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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