What to Buy in Panama: 12 Souvenirs That Capture Its Color & Culture

Panama is more than its famous canal — it’s a country of contrasts, where Indigenous traditions meet cosmopolitan flair. Its souvenirs reflect this diversity, ranging from world-class coffee to handmade crafts that carry centuries of heritage.

Whether you’re wandering through Casco Viejo in Panama City, exploring mountain villages, or visiting Indigenous communities, here are 12 souvenirs worth packing in your suitcase

After wandering Casco Viejo alleys, visiting Guna Yala communities, and tasting Geisha coffee in Boquete, these are the souvenirs I’m glad I carried home — meaningful, unique, and full of Panamanian spirit.

1. Panama Hats

Why pick this up: Iconic straw hats that made Panama famous (though origin is in Ecuador), stylish, lightweight, and perfect for sun.
What to look for: Tight weave, even color, inner sweatband, brim stability, maker’s mark.
Price bracket (2025): ~$20 – $150 depending on quality.
Where to find it: Specialty hat boutiques in Casco Viejo, artisan shops in Panama City.

2. Molas (Guna Yala Textiles)

Why pick this up: Hand‑sewn panels by Guna women — vivid geometric or nature-inspired designs — used as clothing, art, or décor.
What to look for: Clean stitching, layered fabrics, symmetry or deliberate asymmetry, authentic origin (sold by Guna artisans).
Price bracket (2025): ~$10 – $100+ depending on size and complexity.
Where to find it: Guna community markets, artisan shops in Panama City, Casco Viejo galleries.

3. Panamanian Coffee (especially Geisha)

Why pick this up: Coffee from Panama’s highlands (Boquete, Volcán) is celebrated globally — especially Geisha beans — a flavorful and transportable memento.
What to look for: Fresh roast date, single-origin labeling, small-batch packaging, vacuum-sealed bags.
Price bracket (2025): ~$10 – $40 per bag (depending on grade).
Where to find it: Boquete coffee farms, specialty coffee shops in Panama City, gourmet stores.

4. Handmade Jewelry & Beadwork

Why pick this up: Indigenous groups craft intricate beaded jewelry (bracelets, necklaces, earrings) with cultural meaning and vibrant color.
What to look for: Tight bead work, consistent color, artisan name or tag, materials (glass, seed, precious stones).
Price bracket (2025): ~$5 – $80+.
Where to find it: Artisan stalls in Casco Viejo, craft fairs, Indigenous cooperatives.

5. Ron Abuelo Rum

Why pick this up: Panama’s flagship spirit — aged, smooth, excellent for sipping or gifting.
What to look for: Sealed cork or metal, branded bottle, age statement (e.g. 7, 12 years).
Price bracket (2025): ~$15 – $60 depending on edition.
Where to find it: Liquor stores, supermarkets, airport duty-free.

6. Tagua Nut Carvings (Vegetable Ivory)

Why pick this up: Tagua nuts carved into small figurines, buttons, pendants — sustainable, natural, and elegant.
What to look for: Smooth finish, fine detailing, no rough edges, natural coloration (ivory, brown, blush).
Price bracket (2025): ~$2 – $50+ depending on size and intricacy.
Where to find it: Artisan shops in Casco Viejo, Indigenous markets, souvenir stores.

7. Pollera‑Inspired Miniatures / Souvenirs

Why pick this up: The pollera is Panama’s national dress. Miniature dolls, decorative pieces, or motifs celebrating it carry cultural weight.
What to look for: Fine fabric, detailed embroidery, vibrant colors, scale accuracy.
Price bracket (2025): ~$5 – $50.
Where to find it: Souvenir shops in Panama City, Casco Viejo boutiques.

8. Panama Canal Memorabilia

Why pick this up: Historical and symbolic — models, books, maps, handcrafted canal-themed art that connects directly to Panama’s global role.
What to look for: Model quality (good proportions, detail), book editions, prints with authenticity.
Price bracket (2025): ~$10 – $200.
Where to find it: Panama Canal visitor center gift shops, museums in Panama City.

9. Balboa Beer & Seco Herrerano

Why pick this up: Local beverages that give flavor to everyday Panamanian life. Balboa is popular beer; Seco Herrerano is a sugarcane spirit used in cocktails.
What to look for: Sealed bottles, local branding, check alcohol import rules in your home country.
Price bracket (2025): ~$2 – $20.
Where to find it: Supermarkets, liquor stores, bars, airport stores.

10. Indigenous Baskets & Crafts

Why pick this up: Woven baskets (Emberá, Wounaan) made from natural fibers and dyes — beautiful, durable, functional.
What to look for: Tight weaving, natural fibers (palm, cane), consistent form, origin tag.
Price bracket (2025): ~$10 – $200+.
Where to find it: Indigenous markets, cooperatives, artisan fairs in rainforest regions or Panama City shops.

11. Local Art (Paintings, Prints)

Why pick this up: Panamanian artists depict canal scenes, tropical landscapes, Afro‑Caribbean culture — bringing local color and memory home.
What to look for: Signed or editioned pieces, good paper or canvas, transport-friendly size.
Price bracket (2025): ~$10 – $500+.
Where to find it: Art galleries in Casco Viejo, galleries in Colón, artist stalls in markets.

12. Cacao & Chocolate

Why pick this up: Panama grows fine cacao; artisanal chocolate bars using local beans are flavorful, exotic, and easy to transport.
What to look for: Bean-to-bar label, minimal ingredients, sealed packaging, origin “Panama cacao.”
Price bracket (2025): ~$5 – $30+.
Where to find it: Specialty chocolate shops, farms in Boquete, artisan stores in Panama City.

🛍️ Panama Shopping Tips & Notes

Pack fragile items carefully — molas, tagua carvings, art pieces — wrap between clothing or use bubble wrap.
For food, alcohol, or spirits (rum, beer, chocolate), keep sealed packaging and receipts, as customs may require proof.
Ask artisans “Dónde lo hizo?” (Where is this made?) or in Spanish / local idioms to confirm local production vs imported crafts.
Try to buy direct from artisan cooperatives or Guna communities if possible — you’ll pay fair price and support tradition.
Be cautious of tourist markup in Casco Viejo — exploring side streets often yields better quality for less.

Panama’s souvenirs are a tapestry of its culture — from canal models to Guna textiles, coffee, and rainforest crafts. Choose something you’ll treasure — not just store — and carry a piece of Panama’s colorful world home with you.

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter.

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