The two faces of Panama - LOCALINPTY
4.7
13 Ratings
Panamá
Discover the hidden side of Panama City with LOCAL IN PTY. Explore the contrasting neighborhoods of El Chorrillo and Casco Viejo, and learn about the impact of gentrification on the local community.
Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Plaza Herrera - Get off the beaten path with Victor and see where boxer Roberto Duran trained, learn about how the U.S. invasion of Panama affected this neighborhood! Meet the locals in their home and play dominoes with them. Dance salsa and eat with them. Try local drinks. See locals playing soccer.
What's Included
  • Snacks
  • Lunch
  • Alcoholic Beverages
What's Not Included
  • Private transportation
Meal Options
  • Sancocho y arroz - Sopa de pollo o carne con arroz.
Additional Information

For an authentic taste of Panama City that goes beyond the regular tourist track and allows you to mingle with the local populace, plan a day with Victor Perez, the initiator of LOCAL IN PTY.

He offers guided tours of the El Chorrillo neighborhood, located mere blocks away from the fashionable Casco Viejo historical sector, yet strikingly different in its feel and ambiance. The common view of El Chorrillo is tainted by its struggles with social issues, criminal activity, violence, and erstwhile gangs.

Today, this area boasts pristinely refurbished colonial structures, chic eateries, posh bars, and unique boutique hotels. It has morphed into a secure and welcoming neighborhood popular among both tourists and residents.

Discover how the rapid upscale development of Casco Viejo has left the adjacent regions and their inhabitants in the shadows. When the local government and private financiers recognized the potential of this region, the underprivileged residents were displaced to El Chorrillo.

Supporting local enterprise is supporting a DREAM!

Meet The Visionary behind Panama’s master plan.

Location
Plaza Herrera
Avenida A
Meeting Point: Plaza Herrera in Casco Viejo in front of the American Trade Hotel, near the horse statue.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(13 Ratings)
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Martha_w
Feb 17, 2024
A Good Look at Panama City - The Cafe Coca Cola was fun. It has an interesting back story. Our guide, Jenny, knows her city well and clearly loves sharing it with visitors.
Review provided by Viator
Qlalia
Oct 23, 2023
Beauty culture the real Panama and much much more - Discover the real Panama with Victor you get further more than what you expect.culture and beauty in San Blas Guna Yala as its best!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jane_w
Oct 19, 2023
A guide with passion! Wonderful experience! - This is more of an experience than a “tour”. Victor is a wonderful host with an obvious passion for his country, people and culture. He is very invested in his community. We went off the beaten path to explore the life of the locals and to experience things most tourists do not. Enjoyed delicious local food and drink by Ana Patricia. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Brittany342
Mar 6, 2023
Authentic local tour of Panama City - We had an awesome time learning about Panama City and visiting with locals in El Chorrillo, a neighborhood right outside of casco viejo. We had the opportunity to play dominos with older gentlemen in the neighborhood, meet a famous hat maker and eat local food. Victor does a great job with the tour. It’s very clear he has a big heart and wants to show all of Panama City. He has a great grasp on history that he shares with his tour goers. I was refreshing to have such a local tour with a knowledgeable Panamanian person who is so kind. My husband and I highly recommend the tour!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jpmomma
Feb 17, 2023
A wonderfully unique walking tour of old town - A unique and educational walking tour of old town Casco Viejo through the eyes of a local. We had one day to spend in Panamá, and we did not want it to be “touristy”. If you want to meet the nicest, authentic, hard-working locals, and learn about the history of Panamá, this is a wonderful tour for you. We try to support small, local business and had the most amazing day! Thank you Christian and Victor! You are doing good things for your community and we wish you much success. ❤️
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Resort66018433219
Feb 9, 2023
Exploring Panama like the Locals - We had such an amazing time. We did the Chorillo tour with Christian and explored where the locals lived and hang out. We got to go to an area where my best friend grew up and got to meet some of her childhood friends. We also took the San Blas tour which was sooo educational and absolutely beautiful! What an adventure. Victor took us to several islands and educated us on the Guna Yala. We learned about the customs and how they live. I felt privileged to be able to go to their islands and walk among them. Beautiful experience. I highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robert_l
Dec 29, 2022
Great, interesting and informative - Victor’s tour is great, enriched by both his love for the people in the neighborhood and their fondness for him!
Review provided by Viator
Needers2014
Dec 18, 2022
An experience you’ll never forget! - What a fantastic experience! Victor knows so much about the history of Panama especially that of the underprivileged and more rebellious side of the city. Our tour with him was a day we’ll never forget. Visiting Mario, the Panama hat maker, playing dominoes with the locals and visiting a cantina gave us such an insight into local life. We would recommend Victors tour to anyone who wants to avoid the usual tourist wagon train.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Compass09507713771
Nov 22, 2022
Absolutely A-M-A-Z-I-N-G - On a recent cruise trip we had the pleasure of staying in Panama City using our ship as our hotel many thanks to Martin for getting the show on the road Victor was our superb guide for 2 days of excursions on day 1 we were picked up at the pacific side cruise terminal by Carlos and Victor along the causeway and after driving for 35-40 minutes we arrived to pick up a speedboat this then took us into gatun lake and onward to monkey island where we encountered various types of monkeys which came onto our boat for pieces of banana back on land onward to the miraflores locks observation area which at the moment is partially closed for renovation work we were supposed to stop in a park area for wildlife spotting but this was closed we then tried to get to a high point overlooking the city but unfortunately the weather moved in so back to the ship we went Day 2 picked up at cruise terminal first stop new part of city to look at strange shaped building then to meet Victor for our walk round the old part of the city What a contrast we visited local bars played dominoes with the locals ate local food and generally walked the whole area which in years to come will be fully taken over by the wealthy forcing the poor folk out of their homes we visited churches cathedrals and also the last original Panama hat maker who custom fits Panama hats and we also went to the police station where Victor and others do extraordinary work to help local children This is a trip that should be done NOW before gentrification takes over and ruins this area forever VICTOR is a fantastic guy an excellent guide and is definitely recommended for the price we paid and what we saw and learned about old Panama City is priceless and will remain in our memory forever many thanks Victor keep up the great work you do and also thanks to Martin,Rachel,Miriam,Paul,vibeke,Gabrielle,young John,slightly older John Debbie and me of course for being great trip partners
Review provided by Tripadvisor
579sharig
Feb 1, 2024
Do Not Book This Tour. It’s a scam! - DO NOT BOOK THIS TOUR! I was scammed! Tour operator did not show up and sent us an email stating we were not at the designated pick up place. After reading the glowing reviews, my husband booked the tour, and Victor did not meet us at the designated place. At approximately 2:50 (tour was scheduled for 3:00) A tour operator named Romero approached us, asked if we were there for a tour with Victor and told us Victor was sick. We then proceeded to contact Victor at the phone number listed in the confirmation email but no one answered. We called Viator customer service and no one answered. upon returning to our hotel we received an email message from Viator stating the tour operator came, and we were not there. We responded with the aforementioned details and Victor replied he was there and did not know Romero. That was not true!! We arrived at the designated pick-up one hour before tour. We stayed at the Sofitel hotel, and we asked them to book this tour for us and they stated they do not book with this operator and suggested we not book this tour. We should have listened. Now we are left trying to get our money refunded. I say this is a scam because as I write this, I realize that this person approached us, out of nowhere, asked if we were waiting for Victor, I said yes, and he said Victor was sick and could not come. Victor is saying he does not know who this person is. I do not know why a stranger out of nowhere with a tour operator badge would ask us if we were waiting for Victor.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 6 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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