Top Panama Cooking Classes

Learn to make local food yourself in this Panama City cooking class to take your appreciation of Panamanian cuisine to the next level. Follow your chef instructor as they take you through 10 recipes, eating and sipping on unlimited cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages as you work your way through the menu. This class can cater to vegetarians and people with other food restrictions.

This activity comes out differently because the guest shall learn how to cook with the spices and come up with tasty Panamanian and African dishes. The guests shall be cooking with fresh ingredients as they learn new cooking skills. These new cooking skills make my experience unique.

Chocolate and cocoa are among Panama’s main exports, but you don’t have to just stop at buying a bar at the convenience store. Learn more about Panamanian chocolate and cocoa production and make your own chocolate bar during this fun activity at a factory in the capital. Kids and adults alike will love getting hands on during the lesson, and then sampling their creations after.

Step into the shoes of a rum master blender at Casa Barú's original 'Create Your Own Rum' workshop, an immersive experience in the heart of Panama City's vibrant Casco Viejo. Forget traditional tastings; here, you actively participate and master the art of rumblending. During this one-hour session, discover the Casa Barú production method, our raw materials and the secrets of distillation. This is not just about tasting; it is about understanding the science and passion behind every drop. Guided by expert instructors, you will explore different flavor profiles. We talk about the aromatic notes, giving you the freedom to design and mix your own custom rum recipe, perfectly tailored to your palate. Once your master blend is perfected, bottle it in a 235 ml hip flask or a 700 ml bottle. While you seal your creation, enjoy a complimentary cocktail. Take home the ultimate souvenir capturing your creative journey: a completely unique bottle of rum that exists nowhere else in the world.

Geisha Experience Panama is unique for its focus on Geisha coffee, recognized worldwide for its exceptional flavor. Travelers have the opportunity to see up close the artisan process of growing and roasting this premium bean, all in a natural environment of incomparable beauty. Tasting is an unrivalled sensory experience, where complex and subtle notes are discovered that make this cafe a real treasure for the senses.

Awaken your senses with a guided tasting to discover the enormous diversity of Panamanian coffee. Sample exclusive coffees from the best regions, such as the famous Geisha, prepared with different artisan methods. While you enjoy its aromas and notes, you will know the stories behind each bean. We look forward to seeing you Monday through Saturday at The Cafelier!

Master the art of handmade Ravioli in the heart of Panama City! Join an expert Italian chef to learn the authentic techniques for crafting perfect Ravioli from scratch. A unique, hands-on culinary journey from Southern Italy to the tropics. Perfect for foodies and families!

Discover the rich culinary heritage of the Emberá people in a unique cooking class nestled within Chagres National Park. In the enchanting riverside village of Emberá Drua, learn to prepare traditional meals using fresh, local ingredients and time-honored techniques. This hands-on experience not only tantalizes your taste buds but also fosters a deep connection with one of Panama's most vibrant indigenous cultures, allowing you to savor the flavors of their history and traditions. NOTE: THIS IS NOT ONE OF THOSE EMBERA TOURS WHERE PEOPLE DRESS UP IN COSTUMES AND DANCE FOR TOURISTS. WE WILL BE VISITING THE OLDEST COMMUNITY IN CHAGRES NATIONAL PARK.

Your Hands-On Coffee Roasting Journey! Get ready to roast! In our covered outdoor gazebo, you'll learn the secrets of coffee roasting with a Skywalker Roaster, guided by our experienced team. They'll walk you through each stage, from selecting your preferred roast level to expertly packaging your fresh coffee, and will be on hand to answer all your questions.

The moment you walk through the doors of Salty Sisters Pinsaria Cocktail & Wine Bar, hidden inside the magical streets of Casco Viejo, the experience begins. You’ll be welcomed with your very own Panama hat, and a few extra Props to transform you instantly into part of the Salty Sisters Family. Discover local ingredients you’ve probably never tried before — tropical fruits, exotic herbs, native spices, local chilis, spirits, rum, and flavors rooted in Panamanian culture. Learn the stories behind the ingredients, where they come from, and why they matter. You are creating, tasting, laughing, learning, experimenting, hosting, pouring shots, controlling the music, and taking over the bar inside one of Panama’s most historic spaces. Whether you’re celebrating, traveling, dating, making memories with friends, or just want a story you’ll never forget This is your moment to be the Star of the Bar.

The Chocolate Factory Tour offers various experiences, from guided explorations of artisanal chocolate production and hands-on chocolate making to sensory tastings paired with beverages.

The "Corn Experience" is a guided culinary workshop where participants will learn to prepare traditional Panamanian dishes. Corn is fundamental to all Latin American cultures, including our own here in Panama. Learn about local traditions as your guide shares stories from Panamanian folklore. The corn tortilla is a staple of the traditional Panamanian breakfast, often serving as a substitute for bread. During this experience, you will also prepare *almojábanos*—a delicacy found exclusively in Panama's Chiriquí province. Goat Cheese Making: Your instructor will teach you how to milk a goat (optional). For many, this will be their first time milking; but don't worry—you'll get the hang of it in no time! Fresh milk is the key to making the best cheese. In this experience, you will learn how to prepare cheese and then enjoy tasting it alongside your corn fritters.

Embark on an ancestral journey together, delving into the world of coffee cultivation from its origin to your cup. Hand in hand, experience each stage of production, actively nurturing and harvesting coffee beans or by planting your own coffee plant. Guided by Marilin, our coffee expert, you'll immerse yourselves in the rich tradition of Panamanian coffee wisdom. Discover the cultural significance of coffee, learning timeless lessons passed down through generations. Your adventure culminates in crafting your own unique blend, infused with the knowledge and passion you’ve gained together and take it back home. For your comfort, please bring closed shoes, mosquito repellent, and an umbrella or raincoat. We also offer, with previous reservation, a degustation menu, where coffee if our main star ingredient.

Forget crowded bars and tourist menus, this is Panama the way locals experience it. You’ll step inside a real Panamanian home, where our local host will guide you through the entire experience. You’ll prepare 4 classic Panamanian cocktails - each one paired with a small dish you’ll make and taste on the spot, turning the class into a relaxed gathering in a friend’s kitchen than a formal class. As you mix and cook, your host shares stories, techniques, and everyday traditions that connect each recipe to Panama’s Caribbean roots. Everything is taught step by step, making it easy to follow whether you’ve mixed cocktails before or not. By the end, you’ll leave with simple recipes you can recreate anywhere, new skills to impress friends back home, and the memory of one of Panama City’s most vibrant nights in an authentic local setting. Guests often call this the unexpected highlight of their trip - and if it’s not the highlight of yours, you’ll get your money back, no questions asked.

Boquete’s coffee story takes shape at Hacienda Los Molinos, where a private tasting traces Panamanian coffee from cultivation and processing to the cup. Learn how flavor notes such as nuts, fruits, and flowers develop, and hear about the history of this product before sampling prepared local coffee. The experience introduces fine coffee varieties and the craft behind the brew, giving coffee lovers and curious travelers a closer look at what shapes each cup. Coffee and tea are included during this personalized look at Panamanian coffee.

Premium small-group format for a more personal experience Learn directly from experts about production and flavor profiles Taste multiple rum & liqueur expressions Perfect for couples, friends, and special occasions

Our mixology experience sets itself apart with a blend of creativity, education, and hands-on engagement. Led by world-class mixologists, participants gain insider knowledge on cocktail crafting. The sessions are interactive, allowing attendees to experiment with unique, high-quality ingredients and master various techniques such as mixing, shaking, and garnishing. Customization is key; we tailor each session to match participants' preferences and skill levels, from classic cocktails to innovative molecular mixology. Our experience is enriched with cultural and historical insights, providing a deeper appreciation of each drink's background. The setting is designed to enhance the ambiance with an amazing view, Perfect for team building and socializing, our mixology sessions encourage creativity and collaboration. Participants leave with practical skills and recipes, ready to impress friends and family. It's more than making drinks; it's crafting memorable moments and unique flavors.

You will learn the history of the Boquete Public Market and with the guidance of our host you will discover seasonal fruits and vegetables, grown in the region with environmentally friendly methods. They will also taste the best coffees harvested by small local producers, who with their care have achieved excellent quality.

Forget the fruits you know. In Panama, the markets hide flavors so rare that even seasoned travelers have never seen them. Guided by a local host, you’ll walk through colorful stalls where each tasting comes with a story, learning why certain fruits are used for energy, others for comfort, and how local communities have relied on them for centuries. What begins as a tasting quickly becomes a window into Panama’s biodiversity and cultural roots. This experience feels less like a tour and more like discovering the country through the people who live it. Every stop brings a new surprise, and every fruit becomes a memory you’ll want to share. Groups are intentionally small and many fruits depend on the season, meaning no two tours are ever the same. And by the end, you’ll carry with you the genuine memory of having lived Panama the way locals do - walking their markets, tasting what they eat, and connecting with traditions most visitors never get to see.

If you want to see a side of Panama City that’s not normally visited by tourists and be immersed with locals, you must spend a day with Victor Perez, the founder of LOCAL IN PTY. He’s taking visitors to the neighborhood of El Chorrillo, just a few blocks from the trendy Casco Viejo historic district, but contrasting in every way. People normally perceive El Chorrillo as being run down with social problems, crimes, violence, and former gangs. You’ll find beautifully renovated colonial buildings, stylish restaurants, fancy bars, and boutique hotels. Nowadays, it is a safe area to walk around and very popular for tourists and locals. Learn how the rapid gentrification of Casco Viejo has left the surrounding areas and its people to be forgotten. When the government and private investors started seeing the potential of this area, they started removing the poor people from this area to El Chorrillo. When YOU support local businesses, YOU Ssupport a DREAM! The Man With The Panama Plan.