Mercado de Abastos
Mercado de Abastos
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4.0
25 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
4
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
2
artedalia
Panama City, Panama86 contributions
Jan 2015 • Solo
Generally the Mercado de Abastos is pretty much the cheapest and definitely the place where you can almost all you're looking for in one shot. I've gone to street markets on the way to Chanis, to the markets near Machetazo in San Miguelito and the ones in Calidonia. At the Mercado de Abastos you can get avocados, corgettes/zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, melon, watermelon, pineapple, tomatoes, red onions, green onions, cilantro, Roman/red lettuce - no berries though! I walk out with $10 worth of veggies and fruits and two huge bags that make my arms ache. And the people there are very honest. They haven't once lied to me about pricing, like others have in the Calidonia markets. For instance, I left a bag of zucchini by accident in el Mercado de Abastos and the woman who sold it to me asked around for me until she found me.
Written 6 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Farieda
Amsterdam, The Netherlands105 contributions
Oct 2013 • Solo
The mercado de abastos is where all supermarkets including Riba Smith go to get their vegetables and fruit. It's not only for them though, anyone can enter this market. You only have to pay $0.25 per car (not sure if you get charged if you enter on foot).
The set up is not clear if you go there in the beginning, but after a few times, you will see a structure of the market. It's perfectly safe to here. At least in my opinion. I've been here with friends but also went alone on some occasions. However it can be a little intimidating if you are not familiar with local latin american markets and don't speak the language.
It's a hell of a lot cheaper than going to the super market, the quality is good (obviously some merchants have better quality than others).
You can also buy dry goods here like rice, canned foods, oil, eggs etc.
FYI: it can be muddy here so don't wear your best shoes!
The set up is not clear if you go there in the beginning, but after a few times, you will see a structure of the market. It's perfectly safe to here. At least in my opinion. I've been here with friends but also went alone on some occasions. However it can be a little intimidating if you are not familiar with local latin american markets and don't speak the language.
It's a hell of a lot cheaper than going to the super market, the quality is good (obviously some merchants have better quality than others).
You can also buy dry goods here like rice, canned foods, oil, eggs etc.
FYI: it can be muddy here so don't wear your best shoes!
Written 13 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeannie M
Denver, CO20 contributions
Aug 2013 • Friends
If local markets make you feel a bit uncomfortable, then Panama City's Mercado de Abastos is not for you! But, if you're like me and love to bargain for cheap fruits and vegetables while prowling the nooks and crannies of a great city market, then you'll enjoy this one. Mercado de Abastos is the wholesale market for a lot of Panama. While most shoppers are purchasing 20 pound bags of onions or an entire truckful of pineapples, venders are also happy to sell to individuals. Located right behind the bus stop just past the pedestrian overpass on Avenida Gaillard, It's not exactly easy to see from the road and there are no signs, but this is a huge place, absolutely crawling with both wholesale and retain buyers. You should wander through all of the buildings as well as the outdoor stalls. If you want to just grab some cheap tomatoes, you can do that to the right of the entrance at several booths set up for retail buyers. Go to your left and then a quick right and you find the Asian section where eggplant and yardlong beans cry out to be purchased. This is where you'll buy the freshest vegetables available in Panama. If you're a tourist, you probably won't want to buy 20 pound bags of rice or dogfood, but it's available too. In fact, you may not want to buy anything at all. No matter your reason for going, Mercado de Abastos is great, free entertainment.
Written 13 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
holeinonesummit
Bernieres-sur-Mer, France151 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
This market Mercado de Abastos moved to it’s new location about 3 years ago it’s the main wholesale vegetable market in Panama and produce is sold by the farmers directly from interior to general public,hotel & restaurant owners.
It is now located outside Panama City on the Carretera Centenario on way to Centenario Bridge over the Panama Canal.
It is now located outside Panama City on the Carretera Centenario on way to Centenario Bridge over the Panama Canal.
Written 12 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
erikaV8759QY
Greater London, UK10 contributions
Feb 2019
I visited Mercado de Abastos because I had to „provision“ our sailing yacht with fresh vegetables and fruit. Everything I bought kept really well for the next weeks and onion and garlic for month! The prices are also very good, but some items were just available in bulk.
I traveled there by public transport but it was very easy to get a taxi with all the goods back. Sellers were friendly and honest
I traveled there by public transport but it was very easy to get a taxi with all the goods back. Sellers were friendly and honest
Written 21 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rudolf W
Brno, Czech Republic184 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
Very easy to get there from the albrook station, fruit and vegetables are very fresh for very good price. Place looks dirty, but it is said that it is safe, just don't be scared. It is much better if you know Spanish, because merchants does not speak another languages. Try to negotiate better prices, sometimes it works. Visiting this place is great experience!
Written 16 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
difelidi
Panama City, Panama1,034 contributions
Jan 2016 • Solo
This vegetable and fruit market is quite an experince. It's a wholesale market but there are also some stands that sell small units. You can drive through with your car (25cents), either park (hard to find) and go by foot or negotiate from your car and have the sellers load your purchase in the trunk. All produce seems fresh, but it's not true that it's only Panamanian grown produce; there are also imported goods. The pineapple section is amazing. I haven't seen so many pineapples in one spot ever. And they are amazingly sweet. At a price of 1.50. Ask for one for today, one for tomorrow, etc. and you will be given pineapples in different stages of ripeness.
It's a dirt road though. And there are remnants lying around everywhere. So come in old, flat shoes.
It's a dirt road though. And there are remnants lying around everywhere. So come in old, flat shoes.
Written 15 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julio J
10 contributions
Good in and out place for all your fresh and cheap needs.
Women, expect to be harrased, specially by the guys selling plantains. They say some of the raunchiest things you can imagine. So if you're with your lady, just let it slide and be warned.
Women, expect to be harrased, specially by the guys selling plantains. They say some of the raunchiest things you can imagine. So if you're with your lady, just let it slide and be warned.
Written 23 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Norman M
Saint Paul, MN2 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
Seems like these people are scammers. Cinta Costera is along the sea and contains a public park and a biking/rollerblading/walking path. Casco Viejo is just an old area of town. NEITHER HAS AN ADMISSION CHARGE, EVER. Cinta Costera is a wonderful area after dark. Lots of families, couples, and people doing sports. LED lighting and exceptionally safe all the time. Great views of the city.
What does have a heafty admission charge is the locks at the Panama Canal, and this outfit is apparently not providing admission there. Before you book, be sure to ask about the Panama canal admission charge. And, BTW, it's 25 cents each way by air conditioned local bus to the locks, every day including weekends and holidays.
What does have a heafty admission charge is the locks at the Panama Canal, and this outfit is apparently not providing admission there. Before you book, be sure to ask about the Panama canal admission charge. And, BTW, it's 25 cents each way by air conditioned local bus to the locks, every day including weekends and holidays.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheObserverWiltshire
Wiltshire54 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
We went here to buy fresh fruit and veg for our imminent crossing in our yacht to the Galapogos. Not only is the produce here fresh it has never been refrigerated and so keeps much better than the more expensive stuff you buy in the supermarkets here.
Written 23 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Every year I look, but can never find this place. Where is it in relation to the Rey VÃa España grocery store?
Written 6 January 2019
donde puedo comprar flores a reasonable precio en panama las incontraria en el Mercado de abastos.
Gracias por su ayuda
Written 25 May 2016
yes they are! they might close a little earlier. some people say noon but I have seen some sellers still there past noon but to get good variety/options I would say het there by 9 or 10 max.
Written 18 April 2018
hectorsilva1965
Guadalajara, Mexico
Necesito contactar dueños de locales en el mercado de abastos para ofrecerles priductos mexicanos como; aguacate, frijol, maiz, etc.
Written 10 August 2015
hola, tengo entendido que ahà es sólo producto panameño. es la idea de un "farmer's market/mercado de abastos".
Written 18 April 2018
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