Shopping in Panama isn’t just about visiting one of the country’s large shopping centers; it also involves exploring the towns in the interior of the country, their streets, and markets where you can purchase products that represent the region’s culture. This article covers several towns on the Azuero Peninsula where visitors can purchase items that represent the culture and traditions of this region.
Santo Domingo, La Pollera Capital
Santo Domingo, located in Los Santos Province, is an ideal place to purchase polleras, the traditional Panamanian dress, thanks to its deep-rooted cultural tradition and masterful craftsmanship. The town’s artisans create polleras using ancestral techniques, meticulously detailing details such as embroidery, lace, and jewelry, turning each garment into a unique work of art that reflects the region’s identity.
The workshops in this town allow visitors to observe the making process, offering an educational and authentic experience. Santo Domingo is also known for its festivals and carnivals, where the pollera takes center stage during this celebration, consolidating the town as a national benchmark for shopping authentic traditional costumes.
Handicrafts and Gastronomy at the Chitre Public Market
The Chitre Public Market, in Herrera province, is an ideal place to purchase local food and handicrafts thanks to its wide selection and authenticity. At this market, you can find fresh produce such as fruits, vegetables, fish, and meats, as well as typical regional dishes prepared with traditional recipes that reflect the gastronomic richness of the Azuero Peninsula.
The market also houses local handicrafts, including ceramics, textiles, and handmade souvenirs, allowing visitors to take home a piece of the area’s culture and creativity. This experience offers direct contact with the producers and artisans, making each purchase authentic and meaningful.
Guarare, a Town to Buy Traditional Musical Instruments
In Guarare, local artisans craft musical instruments such as the mejorana and the tambor following traditional techniques passed down from generation to generation, ensuring quality, authenticity, and a distinctive sound that reflects the region’s cultural identity. Visitors can visit the workshops, witness the manufacturing process, and speak with the artisans, making the purchase an educational and enriching experience.
Guarare also hosts the National Mejorana Festival, making it a benchmark for Panamanian folk music.
Las Tablas and Its Beloved Culinary Heritage
Las Tablas, in Los Santos, is an ideal place to purchase traditional Panamanian food, thanks to its rich culinary heritage and its residents’ passion for preserving ancestral recipes. In its markets, fairs, and local restaurants, you can find typical dishes such as sancocho, tamales, bollos, roasted suckling pig, chorizo tableño, new corn tortillas, and empanadas, all prepared with fresh, regional ingredients and following traditional methods that preserve Panama’s authentic flavors.
In addition, Las Tablas offers artisanal products such as dulce de leche, chicheme, and cheeses, allowing visitors to sample a slice of the country’s culinary culture. In this town, you can enjoy the cuisine in an authentic atmosphere, especially during festivities such as Santa Librada or Carnival, when traditional food takes center stage.
