Panama City in 1 Day for Friends - Tastings at two traditional markets (local market & seafood market)
In Collaboration with Paradox Experience. Updated on February 16, 2026.
A guided bike tour that blends history and gastronomy in Panama City. Explore Casco Viejo, taste natural juices, local ceviches and dishes at two traditional markets, and finish with a coastal ride and a skyline drone shot option. Includes local guide, bicycle use, rain coat, radios and multiple tastings.
This itinerary was created in collaboration with Paradox Experience, inspired by the tour Panama City Bike Tour + Local Markets By Paradox Experience. Please check the tour information during your booking process.
Highlights
- Tastings at two traditional markets (local market & seafood market)
- Sample natural juices, orchid honey, Geisha coffee and 4 local dishes
- Try three types of ceviche including a honey-mustard style
- Scenic coastal ride on the Cinta Costera with optional drone shot
- Guided bike ride through Casco Viejo with local-history commentary
Itinerary
Day 1
Meet, bike fitting and safety briefing before starting the guided ride through Casco Viejo and the city markets.
Meet at Viajero Hostel — check-in & bike fitting
Group meet, equipment check, quick safety briefing and distribution of radios/rain coats and bicycles. Tour departs promptly after briefing.
Tips from local experts:
- Arrive 10 minutes early to complete quick registration and fit your bicycle.
- Wear closed-toe shoes and sun protection; raincoats are provided if needed.
- Bring a small day pack for personal items and any medications.
Day 1
Begin guided route using the provided agenda sequence through historic and market areas of Panama City.
Historic Coca-Cola café — quick stop
See the historic Coca‑Cola café on Avenida Central España and hear a short historical note about the site.
Tips from local experts:
- This is a short viewpoint stop — keep bikes locked nearby for a quick photo.
- If you want a quick drink, bring small cash (local balboas/US dollars) — tastings are later at markets.
- Watch for vehicular traffic on Avenida Central España when stopping.
Day 1
Explore the core plazas and landmarks of the walled Old Town (Casco Viejo).
Plaza Herrera — first Casco Viejo stop
Visit Plaza Herrera as the first stop within the historic walled city and hear about its role in local life.
Tips from local experts:
- Plaza Herrera can be busy; keep the group together and use radios for coordination.
- Mind your belongings — keep phones and wallets zipped while pedestrian crowds are dense.
- Good spot for group photos — the guide will suggest a safe roadside position.
Day 1
Historic churches and engineering stories of Panama.
Church of the Golden Altar (Iglesia de San José)
Stop at the church known for its golden altar and discuss its historical role and the destruction of the first city of Panama.
Tips from local experts:
- Respect quiet inside religious sites; follow the guide's directions about photos.
- If you plan to enter, modest dress is appreciated (shoulders covered).
- This is a focused historical stop — use the short break to hydrate for the next ride.
Day 1
Colonial engineering and arc structures in the old quarter.
Flat arc of Panama — Calle 3, Casco Viejo
Brief stop on Calle 3 to learn about colonial engineering and its global impact.
Tips from local experts:
- Staying on the curbside keeps the group visible and traffic-safe.
- Ask your guide about how this engineering influenced later canal projects.
- Short stop — keep personal items accessible for a quick remount.
Day 1
Street art, cultural arrival stories and Afro-Panamanian heritage.
Congo art mural (C. 5a)
Appreciate a prominent Congo mural and learn about the importance of the African arrival to the isthmus.
Tips from local experts:
- Murals are best photographed from the street; watch for passing cars when stepping back for a shot.
- Listen to the guide for cultural context before taking photos of people or private property.
- This is an outdoor stop — sunscreen and hat are useful on bright days.
Day 1
French canal attempts and independence narratives.
Plaza de Francia — French canal & independence
Stop at Plaza de Francia to discuss the French canal attempt and Panama's second independence.
Tips from local experts:
- Plaza de Francia is open-air and exposed to wind; secure hats and loose items.
- Guide will point out plaques and monuments — step close only when the guide indicates safe access.
- If you wish to linger, schedule it after the market tasting segments to stay on time.
Day 1
Small plazas and monuments in Casco Viejo.
Simón Bolívar square — quick visit
Short visit to the Simón Bolívar square to see the liberator's monument and discuss regional history.
Tips from local experts:
- This stop is brief; step off bikes and gather in one spot to hear the guide.
- Use your radio if you fall behind — the guide monitors group positions.
- If anyone in the group needs shade, ask the guide to prioritize shaded spots for short rests.
Day 1
Key civic spaces and their historical context.
Independence Square — civic history
Walk through Independence Square and review the importance of surrounding buildings.
Tips from local experts:
- Best to stay near the guide for concise historical commentary.
- Public seating is limited — if you need to rest, notify the guide to pause briefly.
- Be mindful of local events; permissions or temporary closures can alter access.
Day 1
Multicultural influences in the city.
Chinatown (Barrio Chino) — cultural overview
Brief tour of Panama City's Chinatown and a discussion on Chinese cultural influence in local commerce.
Tips from local experts:
- Narrow sidewalks may mean single-file lines; keep children close and bikes controlled.
- If you carry food allergies, mention them to the guide before tastings at markets.
- Chinatown is a good spot for souvenir window-shopping — bring small bills for small purchases.
Day 1
Local market tasting segment — primary local market.
Local market for residents — market tasting
Pass through and taste natural juices, local snacks and small plates at a major everyday market used by Panamanians.
Tips from local experts:
- Tastings are included — carry a small reusable bag for any purchased snacks.
- Bring cash in small denominations for any additional purchases not covered by tasting coupons.
- Stay with the group at the designated tasting stall to ensure sanitary handling and clear portioning.
Day 1
Seafood market tasting and coastal ride.
Seafood market & Ciclovía Cinta Costera — ceviche tastings
Visit the seafood market area to sample three types of ceviche and ride briefly along the Cinta Costera; guide offers an optional drone shot of the skyline at an appropriate coastal point.
Tips from local experts:
- Seafood tastings may contain raw ingredients; notify the guide if you have seafood allergies or dietary restrictions.
- The coastal section is exposed to sun and wind — secure hats and sunglasses during the ride.
- If you want a drone video, tell the guide before the stop so they can position the group.
Day 1
Masonic history and local civic institutions.
Pass by the Gran Logia — Freemason arrival note
Ride past the grand lodge of Panama while the guide explains the history of Freemasons on the isthmus.
Tips from local experts:
- This is an exterior stop; do not attempt to enter restricted buildings without prior permission.
- Keep noise low near institutional buildings as a courtesy.
- Ask the guide about recommended reading or reference points if you want more detail after the tour.
Day 1
Neighborhood contrasts and local everyday life.
El Chorrillo neighborhood — local contrasts
Immerse briefly in El Chorrillo to observe the neighborhood's contrasts and hear stories about its local life.
Tips from local experts:
- El Chorrillo has narrow streets — keep the group compact and follow the guide's lead.
- Respect private property and residences; ask before photographing people up close.
- This area gives strong local context — carry water and use the short rest if needed.
Day 1
National remembrance sites and short pass-bys.
Panteón Nacional (national heroes) — pass-by
Pass in front of the national pantheon / garden of rest for national heroes while the guide provides context about Panama's national figures.
Tips from local experts:
- This is a respectful, brief exterior stop — maintain quiet and decorum.
- If you want to pause longer, tell the guide and they'll indicate if a short delay fits the schedule.
- Be aware of traffic when stopping along main roads near memorials.
Day 1
Final stop and tour wrap-up in a central plaza.
Plaza Santa Ana — tour conclusion
Conclude the tour at Plaza Santa Ana, review the ride, distribute complimentary gastronomy magazine access and tasting coupons, and answer final questions.
Tips from local experts:
- Collect any tasting coupons given by the guide and plan to use them at participating Casco Antiguo restaurants later.
- Finalize personal items and return radios/bike accessories to the guide before leaving.
- If you plan to continue exploring Casco Viejo, ask the guide for restaurant or coffee recommendations that handle groups.
Itinerary Attributes
| Days | 1 |
| Highlights | 5 |
| Season | - |
| Month | - |
| Persona | Friends |
| Transfers | - |
| Restaurants | 2 |
| Total Activities | 16 |
| Total Places | 16 |
| Activities Types | Hotel, Attraction, Culture, Neighborhood, Meal |
