P. 5 - LA PLAYA
WWW.PLAYACOMMUNITY.COM
RIO HATO MARKET By Epicurus Em
Everyone has heard about a Fish
Market along the Pan American
highway on the left hand side right
before the new airport, but have
you been there lately? A recent trip
knocked our socks off -- I mean
flip-flops. Anyway, outside the
building are numerous colorful
craft and plant vendors. Some of
the crafts are what you see at
many souvenir markets, but there
are some unusual things, as well.
There is a booth with beautifully
sewn items, a Panamanian hat
vendor, a booth with leather
sandals, household décor items,
fashion accessories, and plants
and flowers. If you’re hungry, you
can purchase a seafood salad and
beverage at a small kiosk.
Inside, we were happily greeted by
Ruby, the first fish vendor. She
showed us her wares and
answered our numerous questions
about the fish. When we asked her
for snook, she said that she didn’t
have it but directed us to another
vendor, who did. The Market has
expanded recently with vendors
selling lobster, large shrimp,
smaller shrimp, mussels, mixed
seafood, octopus, squid, corvina,
barracuda, red and white snapper,
parrot fish, grouper, macherel,
mahi mahi, and even flounder.
We’ve since heard from friends
that the ceviches are excellent.
The vendors are shy at first, but
once you interact with them, they
open up and are happy, friendly,
and helpful. They will clean and/or
filet your fish at no extra charge,
although a small tip is very much
appreciated. Prices are fair. For
example, snapper ranged from
$2-$2.50/lb., depending on the
size, corvina is $2.25/$2.50 per lb.,
filet of tuna is $3/lb. The langostinos we purchased cost $6.50/lb.,
about 7 large shrimp per pound,
and Ruby even tossed in an extra.
The Market now includes people
selling various cuts of beef, pork,
and chicken.
Chicken costs
$1.50/lb.
The color and flavor of the Market
is enhanced by the bold colors and
fresh scents of the fruit and vegetable vendors. They sell a wide
variety, and we found not just the
more
common
Panamanian
veggies and herbs, but a wider
selection. Prices, again, are fair.
There is a small grocery store
inside.
We’re assuming it is
government subsidized, selling
staples such as rice, flour, cooking
oil, coffee, canned goods, sugar,
etc. to the Panamanian people.
Prices are cheap—a 5 lb. bag of
white rice is $1.50.
A young man selling vegetables
named Chabelo informed us that
the Market is open 7 days a week:
Monday thru Saturday from 8-2,
and on Sundays 8-12. If we understood correctly, they close the first
Monday of every month for a total
cleaning.
Check it out—not only for the
quality and prices, but also for the
unique, refreshing experience.
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