Panama's African Legacy: A 500-Year Journey

Explore Panama’s African ancestry on a 2.5-hour walking tour, uncovering colonial history and West Indian migrations. Discover, understand, and honor their enduring legacy.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Plaza Herrera - At this gathering spot, participants will delve into Panama’s colonial past, gaining insights into its origins and development.
  • Santa Ana, Panama City - Visitors will savor a traditional Afro-Panamanian treat while concluding the Afro-colonial era and initiating the shift towards West Indian influence.
  • Avenida Central -…
What's Included
  • Bottled water
  • Afro Panamanian guide
  • Snacks
Additional Information

Travel back over 500 years to delve into the rich and often underappreciated history of African heritage in Panama. This exploration unfolds through two significant periods: the colonial era, characterized by the harshness of slavery and remarkable acts of resistance, and the West Indian migrations—a time of intense labor, resilience, and cultural…

Location
Plaza Herrera
We will gather next to the statue in the middle of Plaza Herrera. I'll have sign with the name of the tour.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(18 Ratings)
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Riccardo_b
Nov 7, 2025
Highly recommended. - Highly recommended. Melissa, the magnificent guide for this tour, is very knowledgeable, kind, and pleasant. She leads you on this tour, introducing you to aspects and history of Afro-Panamanian culture, which, as always and everywhere, remains in the shadows. However, she brings with her one of the many torches that will bring the TRUE history to light. If you want to delve deeper into Panamanian history, going beyond the thousand glorifications of the white conquerors around the city, this tour is for you.
Review provided by Viator
E9909ojriccardob
Nov 7, 2025
unique experience. - Highly recommended. Melissa, the magnificent guide for this tour, is very knowledgeable, kind, and pleasant. She leads you on this tour, introducing you to aspects and history of Afro-Panamanian culture, which, as always and everywhere, remains in the shadows. However, she brings with her one of the many torches that will bring the TRUE history to light. If you want to delve deeper into Panamanian history, going beyond the thousand glorifications of the white conquerors around the city, this tour is for you.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
262keturahj
Nov 1, 2025
So so so good!!! - This was an amazing way to learn about the various cultures that make up the Panamanian people. So much history about both the struggles and the resilience. I left feeling so much more knowledgeable and inspired! Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sherry_d
Oct 31, 2025
Highly recommend this amazing tour! - This tour was amazing! I learned so much about the Afro-Panamanian history and culture. It was much more than I anticipated. I highly recommend taking this tour if you are interested in learning about how people from the black diaspora migrated to Panama and assisted with its expansion. The guide was well-versed in the subject and friendly, and just an overall joy!
Review provided by Viator
Kavo
Oct 16, 2025
This was an awesome experience I want go again next time I come with my family . Great, wonderful fantastic person. - She is excellent and pays attention to detail. She covered a lot of information with me about Panama. she really very knowledgeable and has taken time to understand everything about the Panama Afro culture. I really appreciate and I believe a lot of people will benefit from this tour, she makes the tour interesting and show wonderful parts of the old town Panama . Thank you so much for everything you shared about the history. Thanks for the snack as well .
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mursalata_m
Oct 5, 2025
Learning is FUN! - If you LOVE learning you need to take this trip with Meli. If you don’t love learning this tour will make you like it at least. What I appreciated most was learning about people in the African diaspora in Panama. I learned that there are two distinct groups of people from the African diaspora. This trip helped me with research that I’m doing to prepare to take students on a study of your broad trip to Barbados. Why? Because I didn’t know that a large group of Barbadians had come to Panama until I went on this walking tour! Sometimes the BEST learning happens outside of books and Internet searches.
Review provided by Viator
Charmin_c
Sep 20, 2025
Black love adventure - This tour was a very informative and awesome tour we learned black history leading up to this day. Melissa was very detailed this is a must do tour.
Review provided by Viator
I8174xnashleyh
Sep 4, 2025
Highly Recommend - Amazing walking tour. Meli is friendly, funny and extremely knowledgeable. She even provided recommendations for additional learning materials, food, and local sites. This experience is perfectly curated and I highly recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Danielle_w
Sep 4, 2025
Lens into Afro Panamanian History & Culture - Meli was very friendly and knowledgeable. Felt like meeting up with a friend who just happens to be a tour guide. A start in Plaza Herrera for intros and an overview of the colonial history of Panama. We received complimentary water and a Panamanian treat, which was tasty. Highlight for me was what we learned of King Bayano, a Yoruba revolutionary. The scenic walk to the museum was as informative as ever, Meli engaged in conversations about the history of the area, what we saw and about Panama in general. Outside the Afro Antillian Museum has vibrant, amazing murals on the walls. On the inside, we learned of the life of some the first Caribbean labourers brought over to work on the Canal and how their culture impacted Panama. Exhibitions displayed how they lived. We learned of the hardships and joy of Afro Panamanians. The tour felt like a story unfolding, like stepping into history and having it revealed before my eyes. 10/10 would recommend, guide speaks English and is very educational. Wear comfy shoes.
Review provided by Viator
665enas
Aug 29, 2025
Afro Panamanian Culture Then & Now - What a wonderful experience! Meli shared some very important information about Afro Panamanian history. The tour included a walk through Panamanian neighborhoods with local vendors. We enjoyed an authentic Afro Panamanian snack and stayed hydrated with water provided by Meli. The tour ended at the West Indian Museum of Panama with beautiful photos, exhibits and historical records telling of the suffering, the triumphs and contributions of Afro Panamanian people.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $45
up to 8 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).