Grocery Shopping in Panama in 2020
Your options for grocery shopping in Panama vary widely. It’s up to you whether you want a modern supermarket similar to what you would find in the States, or something a little more down-to-earth like a farmer’s market. Many expats enjoy having both– getting farm-fresh produce at the local market and their favorite brand names at a grocery store.
In this guide, we’ll discuss your many options for grocery shopping in Panama, including what you can expect in terms of pricing and imported goods. In the end, you’ll find that you can get just about anything in Panama, though you may pay more if it traveled far to get here. If you are trying to stick to a budget, you’ll find local, budget-friendly options for grocery shopping in Panama as well.
Your Options for Grocery Shopping in Panama
In terms of large grocery stores similar to those found in North America, there are three—el Rey, Super 99 and Riba Smith. All three have multiple locations throughout Panama and offer familiar brands such as Kellog’s, Pillsbury, Heinz, and Nabisco. Depending on the location, you can also find personal care products, a proper wine selection, household supplies, and other general items. Pharmacies are often located in these stores, with a robust selection of medications at an often cheaper price.
Riba Smith
Riba Smith tends to be a bit more upscale than the other two large chains. While all the chains carry specialty and imported products, Riba Smith tends to have the widest selection.
Depending on location, Riba Smith might be very large or a smaller boutique store, such as the one in Coronado. That one, in particular, is stocked heavily with imported goods, catering to the dense surrounging expat population.
No matter the location, there is always a great selection of produce, products, and pre-prepared foods like roitisserie chickens and fresh-baked breads. Usually there is a dessert counter as well, where you can find cakes, cookies, and other sweet treats. Of course, you can’t forget the great wine selection.
El Rey
El Rey supermarkets are large, clean and well run. They are sophisticated in their marketing and keep the lights in the stores a pleasant hue that makes you want to pick up that banana. There are more than 101 outlets which are part of Groupo Rey and they have been in business for more than 60 years.
In addition to the grocery stores, the Rey Group also owns and operates MetroRX, one of the largest pharmacy chains, Zaz, a gasoline and convenience store line, Mr. Precio, a chain of convenience stores and Romero, another grocery chain catering mostly to local Panamanians.
Bringing Local Produce To Market
One aspect that distinguishes the Groupo Rey chain is the fact they have a network of farmers throughout Panama which provides much of the produce sold in the el Rey grocery stores. They also have a large distribution center which moves products faster for efficiency and freshness.
Super 99
Super 99 started as a wholesale operation in Colon. It’s named 99 because the original store was located in Warehouse 99. Today they have 46 well-established grocery stores that also house the farma99 outlets that provide prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications.
Machetazo– A Truly One-Stop Shop
Machetazo is more like a Super Walmart than a Publix, selling everything from large home appliances and home decor to school supplies and electronics. Most locations feature groceries on the first floor and, well, everything on the second (and third). You put your cart onto its own special escalator and head up to the next floor.
It Depends Which is Closest
Because the three major chains—el Rey, Super 99 and Riba Smith—are so similar, where you shop is often times decided by what store is most conveniently located. You might choose a Machetazo if you need a wide range of items. The last time I was there, I bought a piñata, a yoga mat, and a new toaster.
Buying In Bulk
If you want to stock up on groceries, PriceSmart would be for you. Think Costco in the United States– it’s actually owned by the same group. There are several locations in and out of the city. Instead of the Kirkland brand, they have Member’s Selection and you can purchase kitchen trash bags along with mozzarella cheese at deep discounts.
Five pounds of ground turkey will price out around $7.50 and two pounds of Butterball sliced deli turkey will run about $8.00. Five pounds of frozen strawberries cost just under $10 and 12 cupcakes from the bakery is just over $6.00. Thirty-two ounces of salad dressing—Italian, ranch, Caesar—is $3.39.
Farm to Table
Another option is to buy directly from farmers. Produce straight from the source is not only less expensive, but incredibly fresh. Often, farmers park their loaded trucks just outside a grocery store and sell fruits and vegetables harvested that day. It doesn’t get any fresher that that.
It’s easy to shop the farmer’s truck first and if you can’t find something there, buy from the grocery store. You’ll definitely save a few bucks– a pineapple will cost $1.50 as opposed to $3 in the store (probably for the same pineapple).
You can also head to a farmer’s market. The Calidonia market in Panama City is one of the largest. The vendors are incredibly helpful and pleasant, even if you’re still stumbling your way through Spanish.
Look out for fun tropical produce like the guanabana, with its ultra-sweet interior tasting of mango and pineapple. Locally, the fruit is revered for its healing powers. You may also see a “Panama Berry” which is small and red. The skin is not to be eaten but the inside, according to many, tastes like vanilla ice cream.
These farmer’s markets, located in various sections of Panama City, often feature small shops and stands offering artisan crafts, homemade soaps, dried fruit, fresh potato chips, and cool drinks. It’s always such a treat.
Vegetables from a Volcano
Outside Panama City, the best-known farmers markets are located in El Valle, Rio Hato and Boquete.
The El Valle market is known for its colorful, spirited atmosphere and superior quality of produce. The town is located inside an inactive volcano and the ashy earth produces outstanding fruits and vegetables. It’s worth the 78-mile one-way trip even if you are in Panama City. Residents of nearby beach communities like Coronado and Gorgona often make a weekly trek.
Boquete has a great farmer’s market and well as one in Rio Hato, convenient for anyone living in the beaches area of Panama. In addition to fruits and vegetables at the Rio Hato market, there is also a great selection of fresh fish, plants, and baked goods.
The Freshest Of Fish
You can always find fresh seafood at the grocery store, but for an unforgettable experience head to the Mercado de Mariscos in Panama City or just about any beach at sunset. You can buy seafood straight off the fisherman who caught it that very morning– and the prices are fantastic.
You can find just about anything at the fish market in Panama City– from salmon and shrimp to eel and octopus. Tuna goes for $3.00/lb and salmon for $1.50/lb. Chilean sea bass will cost you $2.50/lb and giant shrimp for $4.00/lb. The fishmongers slice it all up for you, wrap it and put it on ice for safe traveling.
It’s a fun, fascinating, fishy experience that actually tops many “things to do in Panama City” lists. You have to try the famous cup of $1 ceviche from the restaurant upstairs. You can sit and take in some people-watching or walk along the Cinta Costera for a breezy ocean view.
Upscale Wine and Deli
Panama is not without its own line of high-end wine and specialty stores. Felipe Motta Wine Store & Deli is the largest with numerous stores throughout Panama. There, you’ll find a vast range of wines from around the world along with the kind of gourmet ingredients you bring out for guests (or savor yourself).
You will find offerings from vineyards such as Silver Oak and Opus One to the more modest Rodney Strong and Villa Maria, but you will be pleasantly surprised at the cost—about 50% less than what is charged in the United States.
They sell imported steaks from Argentina, cheeses from France along with a wide variety of liquors, beers, mixers, delicatessen meats and fresh-baked bread. If you find your last Riedel wine glass just hit the floor, Felipe Motta can provide you with everything for white, red, stemless along with decanters.
The National Spirit Of Panama
While you can easily purchase everything from Woodford Reserve bourbon to Belvedere vodka, you may want to consider Seco Herrerano. It is considered the national alcoholic beverage of Panama and has been produced locally since 1908.
The clear spirit is triple distilled from Panamanian sugar cane and is served straight or in mixed drinks and usually replaces rum or vodka. Another nice aspect of the spirit is that a 750ML bottle goes for less than seven dollars! Add a Herreano cranberry juice can (355ML) for a dollar and you have a cocktail—or two!
The same family which makes Seco Herrerano, also produces some of the best rum in the world. Abuelo rum comes in various sizes and years, but the Ron Abuelo Añejo 750ML is the most popular and sells for $8.25. Wines and spirits are generally much less expensive than you find in North America.
Lots Of Kosher Options
Panama City has a large Jewish population and offers over 40 kosher establishments. Deli K, located in the Multicentro Mall, has a great selection of kosher products including fruits and vegetables, fish, chicken and beef. Super Kosher is another popular kosher grocery. You can also find kosher restaurants, mostly in the Punta Pacifica area of Panama City. It’s not as easy to find kosher options in other parts of Panama, but in some locations that is changing. The Riba Smith in the Coronado area stocks some kosher products, as does the Felipe Motto.
Organic Is Everywhere
All the major grocery chains offer organic produce and products, with Riba Smith usually offering the widest selection. There are also boutique stores like Organica that sells only organic products including fresh and frozen foods, spices, oils, packaged foods, and plant-based meat alternatives. They have five locations, three in Panama City and one each in Coronado and Boquete.
Finca Santa Marta, a 42-acre organic farm outside near Boquete, has pop-up locations in Boquete, David, and Volcan. You can get free-range chicken– five pounds for $12– butter crunch lettuce for $2.50 a head, oranges for ten cents each and butter avocados for $1.00. You can preorder and they will have your items ready for pickup. The farm also has a great selection of spices.
Los Chinos
Panama has a large Chinese population due to waves of early labor migration surrounding large construction projects such as the Panama Railroad and, later, the Panama Canal.
Today, the San Felipe section in Panama City hosts one of the largest Chinatowns in Latin America. The area has Asian food markets, authentic restaurants, and no shortage of convenience or specialty stores where you can get a great deal on any number of things.
Chinese Panamanians own and run most of the convenience stores in Panama. These are called chinos. That sometimes sounds offensive to my politically-correct American friends, but it’s just what they’re called here.
When you just need a few things or are on the road, it’s often more convenient to stop at a chino rather than a full supermarket. These little grocery outlets will sell you a dozen eggs, or just two eggs if that is what you need. A soda, a rain poncho, a bag of chips, canned fruit, and hair spray is all on offer. Don’t be surprised to see a cat– or two– lounging in an empty crate somewhere. They keep the place free of mice.
