When you think about traveling through Panama, supermarkets probably aren't the first thing that comes to mind. You think about Caribbean islands, misty cloud forests, tropical beaches, jungle trails, wildlife and the Panama Canal.
But sooner or later, every traveler has the same practical question:
Where can I buy food?
That is where Supermercados Rey comes in.
Supermercados Rey is one of Panama's best-known supermarket chains and is particularly useful for backpackers, travelers, digital nomads and anyone staying in Panama for more than a few days. A visit to Rey isn't just about buying groceries. It can also give you an interesting glimpse into everyday life in Panama.
A Supermarket With a Panamanian Feel
Supermercados Rey is much more than a place to buy milk, bread and rice.
Walking through the aisles gives you a fascinating look at Panama's food culture and shopping habits. You'll find local products alongside international brands, fresh tropical fruit alongside imported foods, and everyday Panamanian staples alongside products familiar to travelers from North America and Europe.
One moment you're looking at a shelf filled with local products, and the next you're looking at something you recognize from home.
That mixture is part of what makes shopping in Panama interesting.
Perfect for Backpackers
For backpackers, supermarkets can make a surprisingly big difference to a travel budget.
Eating out is an important part of experiencing Panama, but eating at restaurants three times a day can become expensive surprisingly quickly.
A supermarket gives you another option.
You can buy rice, beans, pasta, bread, oatmeal, fruit, vegetables, snacks and drinks and then prepare your own meals if your hostel or accommodation has a kitchen.
Even making your own breakfast can make a difference over the course of a long trip.
Instead of buying breakfast every morning, you can have oatmeal, fruit, bread or another simple meal before heading out for the day.
Then you can save your restaurant budget for the meals that are actually worth experiencing.
A Great Place to Stock Up on Snacks
Panama is a country where travelers spend a lot of time moving.
Long bus journeys, boat rides, hikes and adventurous days are all part of the experience.
That makes snacks incredibly useful.
At a large supermarket like Rey, you can stock up on food that fits easily into a backpack.
Fruit, nuts, crackers, cookies, granola bars and other snacks can make a long travel day much easier.
Before heading into the mountains or catching a long-distance bus, spending a few minutes shopping can save you from paying tourist prices later.
Tropical Fruit Everywhere
One of the best parts of shopping in Panama is the fresh produce.
Panama's tropical climate allows an enormous variety of fruits to grow.
Bananas, pineapples, papayas, mangoes and many other tropical fruits are common sights.
For travelers, this is an excellent way to eat well without spending a fortune.
There is something particularly satisfying about buying a perfectly ripe tropical fruit and eating it outside on a hot Panamanian afternoon.
It also makes a refreshing alternative to packaged snacks.
Discovering Local Products
If you want to understand a country, don't only visit its tourist attractions.
Visit its supermarket.
It sounds strange, but supermarket shelves reveal a surprising amount about everyday life.
What drinks do people buy?
Which snacks are popular?
Which brands appear everywhere?
What products are made locally?
Which foods are imported?
These small details tell you something about the country that you won't necessarily learn from a guidebook.
A trip through the aisles of Supermercados Rey can therefore become a small cultural experience in itself.
Useful for Long-Term Travelers
Rey becomes particularly useful if you're spending several weeks or months in Panama.
Travelers staying in apartments, guesthouses or accommodation with kitchens can do a proper weekly grocery shop instead of constantly eating out.
This can make a substantial difference to your overall expenses.
It is especially useful in Panama City, where restaurant prices can vary enormously depending on the neighborhood.
Someone staying in a more expensive part of the city can save money by buying groceries and cooking some meals at home.
Don't Assume Everything Is Cheap
There is one important thing to remember.
A large Panamanian supermarket doesn't mean that everything inside is inexpensive.
Panama imports many consumer goods and food products, and imported international brands can sometimes be surprisingly expensive.
If you walk into the store and automatically buy the same brands you would purchase back home, your grocery bill can rise quickly.
A better strategy is to compare prices and look for locally produced alternatives.
Local staples, seasonal fruit and vegetables, rice, beans and other basic foods can offer much better value.
For budget travelers, the golden rule is simple:
Compare prices and don't automatically choose the international brand.
Helpful for Vegan Travelers
Large supermarkets can also be particularly useful for vegan travelers.
In smaller towns, finding a wide variety of plant-based products can sometimes be difficult. Larger supermarkets generally give you more options for preparing your own meals.
Fresh vegetables, fruit, beans, rice, pasta, nuts and plant-based alternatives can make self-catering much easier.
This is especially valuable when staying at a hostel with a communal kitchen.
Instead of relying entirely on restaurants, you can build simple meals yourself and still enjoy Panama's food culture when you go out.
Supermarkets Are an Underrated Backpacking Tool
Backpacking is usually associated with hostels, buses, hiking and adventure.
Nobody dreams about supermarkets when planning their Panama trip.
But supermarkets can have a surprisingly large impact on how much a trip costs.
A traveler who buys breakfast, lunch and dinner in restaurants every day can easily spend much more than expected.
Someone who buys groceries and cooks occasionally has much more control over their budget.
This becomes particularly useful when traveling through different parts of Panama, because prices can change considerably between major cities, tourist destinations and remote areas.
Seeing the Everyday Side of Panama
Perhaps the most interesting thing about Supermercados Rey isn't the products themselves.
It's the opportunity to see ordinary Panama.
There are families doing their weekly shopping.
Workers buying food after work.
Travelers stocking up before their next adventure.
People choosing local products and going about their everyday routines.
There are no spectacular waterfalls or tropical beaches here.
And that's exactly the point.
Travel isn't only about seeing the postcard version of a country.
It's also about seeing how people actually live.
A supermarket can provide a tiny glimpse into that everyday reality.
The Perfect Stop Before Your Next Adventure
Before heading to the mountains, the islands or the jungle, a supermarket stop can be surprisingly useful.
Buy some water.
Grab fresh fruit.
Pick up snacks for the bus.
Get breakfast for the hostel.
Try something you've never seen before.
Then throw everything into your backpack and continue the journey.
For travelers, Supermercados Rey isn't really a tourist attraction. It's something more practical: a window into everyday Panama and an excellent tool for controlling your travel budget.
And after a few weeks of backpacking, you'll probably realize something important.
A good supermarket can be almost as valuable as a good hostel, a cheap bus connection or a spectacular hiking trail.
Because backpacking isn't only about where you go. It's also about how you live while you're getting there.