Top Panama City Cooking Classes

Step into the shoes of a rum master blender at Casa Barú's exclusive 'Craft 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.

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.

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!

Get an authentic taste of Panama's cuisine and learn how to recreate dishes at home during this cooking class. Learn to shop the markets like a local and how to hunt for the freshest ingredients. Your guide will teach you about the herbs and seasonings that make Panama's cuisine shine. Get home cooking techniques from a local chef, and cap off the class with a complimentary drink.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.