A Complete Disappointment Not Worth the $330 Price Tag - I had high hopes for this gastronomy tour, but it turned out to be a massive disappointment, and definitely not worth the $330 my partner and I paid. The price was supposed to include food, beverages, and snacks, but what we received was far from the premium experience we expected. Overall, the experience made us feel like the tourist wanted us to choose the cheapest items on the menus at every stop. His reasoning was vague at best, but it became increasingly obvious that his motive was to pocket as much of the tour fee as possible rather than provide a memorable culinary experience. For example, when we visited a local bakery in colon, panama known for its signature pastries, the guide offered two options, the “Plantain Tart” and “Beef Pattie.” Instead of sampling a variety of artisanal pastries, we were encouraged to get two options. This pattern repeated at every stop. It felt more like we were being rationed than treated to a gastronomic adventure. The food we did try was decent but nothing extraordinary—hardly the kind of experience you’d expect when shelling out $330. The portions were decent, and the drink options were limited to basic items like soda or water. Snacks were also limited. To make matters worse, the guide’s constant reminder “you can get that kind of food from anywhere in panama” when attempting to order food of our choice dampened the mood of the tour. We expected an indulgent journey through local cuisine, complete with personalized attention and a chance to savor the best food and drinks the area had to offer. Instead of enjoying ourselves, we felt like we were being scolded for wanting to indulge a little, forced into frugal choices, and left questioning where the majority of our money went. Overall, this tour was a waste of money. For $330, we could have gone to several top-rated restaurants in the area and curated our own experience without the stress and penny-pinching. If you’re considering this tour, save your money and explore on your own—you’ll get far more value and enjoyment out of it.