Staple Foods
Beans: red and black beans are common; served at nearly every meal
alone or mixed with coconut rice
Plantains: a very common side dish or ingredient, but not as common
as rice, beans, or tortillas
Rice: cooked in coconut milk, rice can be served alone or can be
mixed with beans and served together
Tortillas: flat bread often made from corn and served with most
meals
Regional Variations, Specialties, & Unique Dishes
Bollos: corn dough wrapped in corn husks or plantain leaves
then boiled; sometimes it is stuffed with beef
Empanadas: dough stuffed with meats, vegetables, and sometimes
cheese; can also be a dessert when stuffed with fruits
Dining Etiquette
Dining in Panama is more a bit different from much of Central
America as restaurants tend to be a bit more upscale and dining can be more formal.
However, socialization and the company joining you at a meal remain the most important
aspects of any meal in Panama. As you arrive for a meal in Panama, being a little
late is generally accepted and common; however for business meals, especially with
businesspersons used to working with Americans, be on time. For purely social gathers,
arriving 15 minutes late is common and many locals will be even later.
Once everyone arrives, drinks are often served prior to dinner. This generally begins
with a toast of "salud" then followed by drinking and conversation. Drinking
is fairly informal and intended to put everyone at ease. Once the food is prepared
or your table is ready you'll be shown a seat so let your host seat you. If
you are accompanied by your significant other, you may be seated separately; this
encourages greater socialization.
With the arrival of the food, the host will invite everyone to begin eating with
the words "buen provecho." Although the Panamanians are fairly
forgiving of foreign dining habits that differ from their own, they do expect you
to keep your hands in sight by resting your wrists on the table and, if possible,
you should eat in the continental style (fork in the left hand and knife in the
right). With some foods, you may be expected to eat with your hands, generally when
tortillas are involved. If this is the case, follow the lead of the locals.
If dining in a local's home take small amounts of food at first so you can ask
for a second helping; this is a great compliment to your host. As you finish eating,
whether in a home or a restaurant, clean all the food from your plate then place
the knife and fork together on the right side of the plate to indicate that you
have finished.
If dining at a restaurant, summon the server by making eye contact (don't wave
or call his/her name). The inviter is expected to pay for everyone present; if you
are the guest be sure to offer to pay, an offer that will likely be turned down.
If you are paying, look to see if a service change is included in the bill; if so,
no additional tip is needed. If there is no service charge, tip up to 10% in rural
areas and up to 15% in the cities if at a nice restaurant. At more informal restaurants,
tips are rarely expected, although rounding up is an appreciated gesture.
Celebrations & Events
Similar to many places, the Panamanians like to serve their
most favored and expensive foods to celebrate various events. For the people though
this varies between fresh seafood and beef as the preferred main course. These dishes
are common at birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and other celebratory events.
Two particular festivals are Fat Tuesday (Mardis Gras or Carnaval) and Christmas,
both celebrations tied to Christianity. Christmas is generally a family affair that
serves chicken tamales, arroz con pollo (rice with chicken), and fruits.
A dining event that locals and foreigners alike can easily attend is Mardis Gras,
which takes place the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday (this date varies year to year).
The foods served on this day are never healthy, generally fattening and meat-oriented,
and usually consumed with vast amounts of alcohol.
Drinks

Drink
Nearly all of the world's most commonly consumed beverages are available in
Panama, from soft drinks and coffee to tea and juices. The
locals like their local juices though and the selection is quite varied as juice
options include pineapple, orange, papaya, passion fruit, and many more. Often times
these juices are sweetened and condensed milk or water is added. There are numerous
spin-offs of these juices, including fresh coconut milk and the corn-based chicheme,
both of which are common street-side drinks. The other most popular drink is coffee,
which is generally grown locally or in neighboring countries; no matter where it's
from, the quality is generally quite high.
When it comes to grabbing an alcoholic drink, beer is the preferred choice of the
locals and many are brewed domestically, including "Atlas," "Balboa,"
"Panama," and "Soberana." If you are seeking a liquor, any type
is available, but for a local twist try seco, which is distilled from sugarcane
and often served with milk over ice. Wines are growing in popularity and are widely
available, but none are local.
The tap water is generally not safe to drink in Panama, but
in limited areas it might be safe. The most cautious course of action is to entirely
avoid the tap water and items that could be made from or with the water, such as
ice, fruits, and salads. If you do decide to drink the local tap water first check
with your local hotel or guesthouse to learn the cleanliness of the water in that
area. If the water is safe, remember that many people may have trouble adjusting
to the local tap water as it will most certainly be different from what your system
is used to if you are not from the region.