El Valle is home to one of Panama’s largest handicrafts market. Indigenous Ngöbe-Buglé people, along with a sprinkling of Emberá and Wounaan, bring a variety of handicrafts to sell to tourists (most of whom are Panamanians from the capital). If you’re self-catering, the market also stocks a good selection of fresh produce. Sunday is the busiest day.
A popular item sold here is the batea, a tray carved from a local hardwood and used by the Ngöbe-Buglé people for tossing rice and corn. You can also find figurines, colorful baskets woven from palms, gourds painted in brilliant colors, 'real' Panama hats and birdcages made from cane.