Christmas Shopping in Panama City
Panama has lots of unique gifts to enjoy here or to send, or carry, "back home" for the holidays. Here is a short list of places in Panama City where you can find unique and not especially pricey gifts to delight and impress starting with the Casco Viejo Flea Market and winding through the city. Shopping for that special item can be an adventure with treasures at the end.
What is unique in Panama starts with the Molas made by the Kuna. These beautiful items can sell for hundreds of dollars in North America and Europe but are available for as little as $5. Hand carved tagua from the large seeds, hammocks, the famous Panama hats that really came from Ecuador, and lots of other hand crafted items are waiting to fill your shopping bag.
A great place to start is the Flea Market on Sundays in Casco Viejo. It is in front of the cathedral in Independence Plaza. You find lots of traditional items as well as more expensive, very nicely made jewelry from throughout Latin America. Come before you eat and enjoy a snack in the shaded plaza as you plan your assault. The market is open from 9 am to 4 pm.
Another Casco Viejo gem is the shop of Helen Breebaart. Helen is a long term Panama resident, fashion designer, and supporter of local craftsmen. Helene's shop has a wide assortment of hand crafted items from throughout Latin America, most of them more unique and expensive that the wares in the Flea Market.
An experience as well as a shopping tour is Mi Pueblito on Ancon Hill. This is a recreated village featuring folklore shows, authentic Panamanian food, and crafts. Admission is a dollar and Mi Pueblito is open from 9 am to 5 pm.
Another possible tour and shopping expedition is thesite of the ruins of the old city. At Panama la Vieja you will find the National Artisans Market when the road makes a sharp turn near the old watch tower. This two story building is full of excellent crafts, all reasonable priced.
Other sources of Kuna items are the YMCA Handicrafts Market Balboa Market at Avenida Arnulfo Arias Madrid and Amador as well as the Kuna Cooperative just a little to the East.
Just a block south of Plaza Cinco de Mayo there is a craft market with a wide selection of national craft items at excellent prices. South is to the left as you approach on Via España.
