Cantinero Tour: the Panamanian route where culture is served in every glass

In the heart of Panama, in the province of Coclé, there is an experience that surprises those in search of authenticity: the Cantinero Tour of Aguadulce. Since 2018, this local initiative has evolved into a cultural and festive journey that invites visitors to discover traditional cantinas, folk music, typical dances, and, above all, the warmth of the people.

Over the course of eight years, the Tour has visited more than 25 cantinas,some with decades of history, others newly opened by local entrepreneurs,becoming a true route of community and tradition. It’s not just a bar hopping tour: it’s a trip into the popular soul of Panama, where the walls tell stories, jukeboxes play boleros, and the tamborito accompanies every toast.

The official event takes place once a year in Aguadulce and is eagerly awaited by the community. However, the organizers are already working on a project to turn it into a permanent tourist product, available year-round for both national and international visitors. Their goal: for the Cantinero Tour to become as emblematic of Panama as the Canal or the Casco Antiguo, but from the lens of popular culture and entertainment.

The event is open to the general public (with alcohol consumption limited to those over 18), and it has the backing of local authorities, as beyond the enjoyment, it drives the economy of small businesses and preserves traditions that are part of Panama’s identity.

For international tourists, it offers a different kind of experience: a chance to engage with the country’s everyday life, connect with the community, and discover a closer, more spontaneous, and authentic Panama.

So, if your next trip takes you to Panama, take note: Aguadulce offers a unique route, where friendship is celebrated with music, folklore, and raised glasses. Because in the Cantinero Tour, every stop is an invitation to toast to the living culture of this country.

By Luis Polo Roa

Photos by Richard Quezada (Organización Tour Cantinero)