Street Scams in Panama City

Miraflores Locks Fake Handcraft Souvenir Scam

At the souvenir concession area adjacent to the Miraflores Locks visitor centre, vendors sell mass-produced items labelled as handmade Emberá or Kuna indigenous crafts at prices that imply authenticity. The goods are factory imports from China or low-cost regional manufacturers with no connection to Panamanian indigenous communities. Tourists pay USD 30–80 for items worth a fraction of the price, believing they are supporting local artisans. The packaging and vendor patter specifically invoke indigenous culture to justify the premium.