Sunday Market

Some visitors come to El Valle just for the public market. Here you’ll find crafts from many parts of Panama, in addition to fresh fruit, vegetables, and plants. While the kind and quality of crafts vary week to week, this is usually a good place to buy Panama hats. Note that these are not the elegant, tightly woven hats that most people think of—those “Panama hats” are actually Ecuadorian, as has been mentioned elsewhere. The ones here aren’t usually even the more finely woven ones made in some parts of the Azuero Peninsula. These are more coarsely woven, usually of white and black fibers, and are the most common kind worn in Panama. Prices range $8–25. You should expect to pay about $20 for a decent one. Other items to consider include carved soapstone figures, which range in price $2–15. The limiting factor isn’t the price but the weight you have to lug around. Note that the market is quaint and lively but is not big. While a popular weekend destination for lots of Panama City residents and the old Canal Zone crowd, and much-trumpeted by tour outfits, it’s unlikely to blow your socks off.

The public market is 1.7 kilometers down the main road as you enter El Valle. You can’t miss it—it’s smack in the center of town. The market operates on a limited scale during the week, but it’s in full swing on Saturdays and especially Sundays. There are also a few souvenir kiosks directly across the street. If you’re not in town on Sunday, there are some newer souvenir shops to the east of the market.