Panama is the dividing point between the North and South American continents and is home to the Panama Canal.
It is still primarily a Latin American country, but also a very modern country.
Flea markets in Panama often have a lot of handmade items and artwork made by indigenous people in the area.
You can get a real Panama hat or traditional clothing.
Some flea markets have new and used items, and some markets specialize in produce, meat, or fish.
The markets are a great place to learn about the local culture, and to experience it up close.
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12 Best Flea Markets in Panama
1. El Valle de Anton Sunday Market
This market is in the small town of El Valle de Anton, which is in the mountains 50 kilometers from Panama City.
It is worth the drive to see the natural beauty of the land.
There are several indigenous people making and selling art here.
You could get something like a hand-carved soapstone nativity scene, for instance.
There are also plenty of food vendors around.
This market is in the town square and is open on Sundays.
There are several other attractions in the immediate area, so it is definitely worth the drive.
2. Mercado de Artesanias de Balboa
Mercado de Artesanias de Balboa is another market for handmade items.
It is in Panama City near the canal zone, in the Balboa neighborhood.
It was created in 1998 to give people space and an opportunity to sell their products.
There are things like paper masks, handmade dolls, hand-woven baskets, wood and stone carvings, hats, and jewelry.
There is a lot of art sold here by the Guana Yala people, one of the indigenous people groups of the country.
There are handmade products from all over Panama here, and it is a good place to learn about local art.
3. The Fish Market
The fish market is open every day and is very near the docks where boats bring in their catch every day.
There are several small restaurants in the immediate area that offer fish cooked from these catches.
Ceviche, a mixture of raw fish and citrus, is a popular cheap meal.
People from all strata of society come to the fish market to buy seafood of all kinds.
It is one of the most classic experiences you can have in Panama.
There’s plenty of character and personality to experience here whether you want to buy fish or not.
4. Mercado de Abastos
Mercado de Abastos is a fruit and vegetable market in Panama City.
Much of what is sold is in bulk or wholesale, but it is still an interesting sight to see.
It is an open-air market that has no covering or shade from the sun.
Farmers unload boxes of fruits and vegetables, and customers barter over things like Avocados and Yucca.
It is a lively place with a lot of fast action, and a lot of money changing hands quickly.
Like the fish market, this is another classic Panama experience you don’t want to miss.
5. Mi Pueblito
Mi Pueblito is another interesting market in Panama City, on Ancon Hill.
This is a crafts market that sells replicas of pieces of art made by indigenous people.
It is set up like a miniature village, with churches, streets, fountains, and similar items.
There are also colorful folklore shows at times.
It is open every day.
6. Popup Market
The El Mercado Pop-Up is more like a traditional flea market with all kinds of things available, both new and old.
It has its share of art and handmade items.
It seeks to promote local art, as well as local and alternative foods and health, antiques, and used items.
There are also plenty of food vendors, and some sell fresh fruit and vegetables.
It is at a place called City of Knowledge, which is an area of Panama City dedicated to researching and experimenting with new ideas.
7. Avenida 5 de Mayo Market
This is another traditional flea market and is near the center of the city on Avenida 5 de Mayo.
The Guna Yala people sell Molas, a traditional handmade garment that they make.
The cloth is known for its flashy style, which involves colorful patches of cloth and embroidered materials.
There are also some new and used household items, and a lot of food and drink vendors.
It is another place to discover the real Panama.
8. Mercado Nacional de Artesanias
Mercado Nacional de Artesanias is the national handicraft market.
It is near Panama Viejo and has artists from around the country selling their wares.
You may get Panama hats in addition to handmade art.
There are artists who sell replicas of pre-Hispanic and pre-Columbian artifacts.
Some may try to tell you it is the original item, but selling those is illegal, and it is very unlikely.
You can get a nice replica of ancient art this way.
This includes jewelry, masks, and woven bowls.
9. El Porvenir
El Porvenir is a small outdoor flea market in the town of David in the northern part of Panama.
It is open on weekends, and like most markets in Panama, it has a lot of handmade crafts.
You won’t likely find English spoken here, but you may get some really good prices from people who actually made the items they are selling.
It also has more traditional flea market items like food vendors and some used items.
10. BCP Tuesday market
BCP Tuesday market, is a small indoor flea market in the small town of Boquete, in the northern part of the country on Highway 41.
It is open on Tuesdays and a couple of weekends each month.
There are several food vendors and a market for fish and beef.
Wines, sugar, and other supplies are also available.
Jewelry and handmade crafts are also available.
There are 50 or so vendors at the market.
The area is rural, and there are a lot of small villages in the area.
11. San Felipe Neri Market
San Felipe Neri Market is on the Pacific side of Panama, near the opening of the canal in Panama City.
Its roots go back to 1914.
It was taken over by the government in 1961.
It started as a market for arts and crafts, and now has more vegetables, fruits, chicken, pork, and other meat.
The market is large and has groceries in its confines.
There are also restaurants and hotels in the immediate area.
12. Mercado de Colon
Mercado de Colon is a public market on the Atlantic side of Panama in the city of Colon
. It is near the opening of the canal and has been in business since about 1916.
The building itself is now a historical monument, but it still operates an open-air market.
It has more food than many markets of its kind in Panama, with fresh fish and meat being the cornerstone.
It also has a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables.
There are several restaurants and food vendors in the area.
The 12 Best Flea Markets in Panama – Summary Table
| Flea Market | Address |
|---|---|
| 1. El Valle de Anton Sunday Market. | El Valle de Anton, Panama |
| 2. Mercado de Artesanias de Balboa | XC2X+HCJ, Av. Arnulfo Arias Madrid, Panamá, Panama |
| 3. The Fish Market | C. Diego de Almagro 18422, Panamá, Panama |
| 4. Mercado de Abastos | XF83+X85, Calle Curundu, Panama |
| 5. Mi Pueblito | Manzana 080814 136338-6, Panamá, Panama |
| 6. Popup Market | |
| 7. Avenida 5 de Mayo Market | XF56+WP9, Av. Interamericana, Panamá, Panama |
| 8. Mercado Nacional de Artesanias | 88 ID 101 MA, Vía Cincuentenario, Panamá, Panama |
| 9. El Porvenir | El Porvenir a 9, 4 km de Cartí Yantupo, El Porvenir, Panama |
| 10. BCP Tuesday market | Ave Buenos Aires Feria Grounds, Boquete, Panama |
| 11. San Felipe Neri Market | 9, Panamá, Panama |
| 12. Mercado de Colon |
Panama Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Panama Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the currency of Panama?
The dollar in Panama is called a Balboa.
Panama uses American paper currency, however, and a dollar or a Balboa has the same value.
You won’t need to exchange money if you go from the U.S. to Panama.
Coins are made in Panama and have a different appearance, but the same value.
In Panama City, you may use a credit card, but if you go out into rural areas, it is good to have cash.
What languages are common in Panama?
Spanish is the major language, and English is taught in schools.
Most people speak Spanish and every Latin American country has its own flavoring of Castilian Spanish.
The endings of words are often dropped by Panamanians, so if you only know Castilian Spanish, it may not be easy to understand.
While English is taught in schools, it is common only in Panama City.
Native languages have also had an influence on the Spanish that is common in Panama.
Is Panama dangerous?
Any place in the world will have its problems, but Panama is generally safe.
It is safer than most Latin American countries.
Panama ranks 64th in the number of crimes per 1,000 people.
There is a fair amount of poverty and that leads to property crime.
Tourists are a target for criminals, so it is good to be careful and not look too much like a tourist.
Downtown Panama City and rural areas are very safe even at night.
The police force is more visible, and that helps keep crime down.
What makes flea markets unique in Panama?
Flea markets in Panama often showcase the arts and crafts of people who live there, particularly indigenous people groups.
Artwork like wood carvings, native clothing, baskets, and hats, dominate almost any flea market you will find.
Used items that are normal flea market fare in the United States are there, but they are more in the background.
