Grocery shopping in Panama offers several options: supermarket chains, neighborhood mini-supers, produce markets and specialty stores. Where you shop depends on your location, the foods you buy and whether convenience, selection or price matters most. Chains such as Riba Smith, Super 99, Rey, El Machetazo and Xtra are useful starting points, while local markets offer another way to compare fresh produce and other foods.
Whether you’re an expat settling into a new lifestyle or a resident looking to manage your household budget, this guide explains where to buy groceries, how to compare prices and what to check in different parts of the country. For broader retail options, explore our guide to shopping in Panama.
Where to Buy Groceries in Panama
| Shopping option | Useful for | What to compare |
|---|---|---|
| Supermarket chains | A full grocery basket, household supplies and packaged foods | Unit prices, promotions and availability at your branch |
| Mini-supers and abarroterías | Nearby purchases and small top-up trips | Selection, opening hours and the cost of convenience |
| Produce and municipal markets | Fresh foods and purchases from individual vendors | Quality, quantity, units of sale and transport costs |
| Specialty stores and bulk purchases | Specific dietary needs or larger quantities | Price per unit, storage space and any membership requirements |
No single store is always cheapest for every item. Compare a basket of products you actually use rather than choosing a supermarket based on one promotion.
Supermarket Chains in Panama
Panama’s supermarkets sell a combination of fresh foods, packaged products and household essentials. Selection varies by chain and branch, so confirm availability before making a special trip for an imported brand or dietary product.
Major Supermarket Chains
- Riba Smith: An option to explore for groceries, imported brands and specialty products. Compare the specific items you need rather than assuming every product carries a higher price. Consult the official Riba Smith website for store information and available products.
- Super 99: Offers grocery shopping through branches in several provinces. Use its official branch directory to check locations and hours.
- Rey, also commonly called El Rey: Another supermarket option for everyday groceries. Compare fresh foods, packaged products and current promotions at the branch convenient to your home.
- El Machetazo: Combines grocery shopping with other retail categories. Check its official store website for available products and current offers.
- Xtra: Another option for comparing staples and household purchases. Consult the Xtra branch directory before planning your visit.
How to Compare Supermarket Prices
Use the same brand, package size and product type when comparing stores. A lower package price does not necessarily mean better value if it contains less food.
- Compare price per kilogram, pound, liter or unit.
- Distinguish fresh, refrigerated and shelf-stable products.
- Check whether an offer requires multiple purchases or a loyalty account.
- Compare online and in-store conditions, including delivery charges.
- Include the cost of getting to the store.
For an independent reference, consult the MEF’s dated basic food basket reports. Check the reporting period and geographic area; these figures are not guaranteed shelf prices for your next shopping trip.
Local Small Grocery Stores
Neighborhood stores known as mini-supers or abarroterías can be convenient for bread, eggs, drinks, pantry items and other small purchases. Their stock and opening hours vary.
- Product range: Check what your nearest store regularly carries, especially if you need fresh produce or a specific brand.
- Pricing: Compare individual items. A nearby store may save a separate transport trip, even when some shelf prices are higher.
- Convenience: A mini-super can be useful for top-up shopping between larger grocery trips.
Check package condition and expiry dates, and confirm accepted payment methods rather than assuming every small store accepts cards.
Grocery Shopping in Panama Outdoor Markets
Produce markets, municipal markets and community markets provide alternatives to supermarket shopping. Some are covered facilities rather than outdoor stalls. Products, quantities and prices vary by vendor; markets are not automatically cheaper for every purchase.
Key Markets to Explore
- Merca Panamá and the historical Mercado de Abastos: Older guides refer to Panama City’s former Mercado de Abastos. For present-day produce shopping, distinguish that historical location from Merca Panamá. MIDA has documented direct-to-consumer sales in Merca Panamá’s retail area. Confirm the current location, access and vendors before visiting.
- Mercado de Mariscos, Panama City: An option for buying fish and seafood near Avenida Balboa and Casco Viejo. Compare species, whole versus cleaned weight and preparation charges. The municipal market directory provides information about this and other city markets.
- Boquete community markets: Older guides often mention the Boquete Tuesday Market. Community-market names, venues and operating days can change, so confirm the specific event before planning around a Tuesday visit. Boquete also has a municipal market with agricultural products and other businesses.
- David Public Market and local vendors: Explore local food sellers alongside supermarkets when shopping in David. Confirm the market’s current location, operating hours and available products locally.
Tips for Shopping at Markets
- Ask whether the price is per pound, kilogram, piece or bag.
- Check the quantity and condition before buying.
- Carry small cash denominations and reusable bags.
- Buy quantities you can use or store without unnecessary waste.
- Plan the trip home when purchasing refrigerated or frozen foods.
Shopping Options in Different Parts of Panama
Panama City
Compare supermarket branches, neighborhood stores and municipal markets near your home or commute. Convenience can matter as much as shelf prices when traffic or delivery charges increase the cost of a shopping trip.
Coronado
The Coronado area has supermarkets and smaller neighborhood stores, including a Riba Smith branch. Check where each store sits relative to your home: a supermarket along the main highway may still require a drive from a beach neighborhood. Compare your basket directly rather than assuming all beach-area groceries cost more.
Boquete
Compare supermarkets, the municipal market, community events and local produce sellers. Availability of imported or specialty foods may vary, so ask about stock before traveling to another town. Check community-market dates and venues separately from permanent-store hours.
David
David can be useful for comparing larger grocery purchases with neighborhood shopping elsewhere in Chiriquí. Romero and Super Barú are names mentioned in local shopping guides; confirm the specific branch before visiting. Super 99 also lists branches in Chiriquí. Include the cost and time of the journey when deciding whether a larger shopping trip saves money.
Bocas del Toro
Distinguish shopping on Isla Colón from mainland options. Your practical choices depend on where you live, transport connections and what nearby stores have in stock. Before making a bulk purchase elsewhere, consider boat transport, luggage space and storage at home.
How Much Does Grocery Shopping in Panama Cost?
There is no single grocery bill that represents every household. Spending depends on household size, diet, imported brands, food waste and how often you cook at home.
The MEF’s basic food basket reports provide a dated reference for specified baskets and geographic areas. They should not be treated as a personalized budget for every expat household.
Build your own estimate from a repeatable shopping list:
- List the foods and quantities your household uses in a typical week.
- Price the same basket at two or three convenient stores.
- Separate groceries from cleaning products, toiletries and restaurant spending.
- Track receipts over a full month, including top-up purchases.
- Add delivery or transport costs.
For example, a hypothetical grocery budget of $75 per week equals approximately $325 per month when calculated over 52 weeks and divided by 12. This illustrates the calculation; it is not an average grocery bill for Panama.
Include food spending alongside housing, utilities and transport in your cost of living in Panama budget.
Tips to Save Money on Groceries in Panama
- Compare a regular basket: Track the items you buy repeatedly instead of relying on general claims about the cheapest chain.
- Try suitable alternatives: Compare local brands and seasonal produce with your usual purchases.
- Check unit prices: Different package sizes can make offers difficult to compare.
- Buy bulk selectively: Larger quantities help only when the unit price is favorable and you can use the food.
- Plan meals: Use what you already have before buying more.
- Count the full cost: A distant bargain may disappear once transport, delivery or wasted food is included.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grocery Shopping in Panama
Where can you buy groceries in Panama?
Options include supermarkets such as Riba Smith, Super 99, Rey, El Machetazo and Xtra, plus mini-supers, municipal markets and specialty stores. The most useful combination depends on your location and shopping list.
Which supermarket is cheapest in Panama?
No chain is necessarily cheapest for every product. Compare the same basket, package sizes and promotion conditions at branches convenient to you.
Can you find imported groceries in Panama?
Supermarkets and specialty stores offer imported products, but brands and stock vary by branch. Confirm availability when a specific item is important to you.
Are local markets cheaper than supermarkets?
They can offer competitive prices for some foods, but compare equivalent quantities and quality. Include transport costs and avoid buying more than you can use.
How do you find a grocery store near you that is open?
Use a chain’s official branch directory and confirm the hours for that location. Check holiday changes or call the branch if the trip depends on a late opening time.
Is buying groceries in bulk worth it?
It can be worthwhile when the unit price is lower and you have suitable storage. Include membership fees, travel costs and potential waste before deciding.
Lots of Variety
Grocery shopping in Panama can combine supermarket convenience with neighborhood stores and local markets. Exploring a few suitable options helps you find the foods you enjoy and understand your household’s actual spending.
If you are planning a move and need assistance with relocation or immigration, contact us here. For store stock, delivery coverage or opening hours, contact the retailer directly.
Updated October 2026. Store locations, market schedules, prices and product availability can change; confirm current details before shopping.
