I believe in feeding my family a wholesome, chemical-free diet. Coronado is making it increasingly easier to do so; in the past few years I’ve seen huge strides being made in the availability of organic and eco-conscious products.
That wasn’t the case when I first moved here. I remember having clients with dietary restrictions visit for property tours…weeks before their arrival, I would call ahead to the local restaurants and stores to make this or that special request. Today, I needn’t do so. I know that the community will have most everything that person needs.
Coronado has the rare ability to grow in accordance with its residents’ tastes. For years, I’ve been watching the community shape itself around the expanding population of expats and vacation homeowners- and the progress has been remarkable. As the organic movement has grown internationally, so too has it grown in Coronado- where more and more people are supporting organic.
This week, I’ve decided to give a little tour of the best shops for buying organic in Coronado.
The Best Places to Shop Organic in Coronado
With 4 supermarkets and dozens of shops, Coronado has more options than you could hope to use in a day. While all the supermarkets have started to carry at least some organic and eco-friendly products, I find that the best selections come from Organica and Riba Smith.
Organica
Organica is a cozy little shop that offers an array of food items as well as health, cleaning, and beauty products. While I can’t get all my groceries here, it’s a great little place to shop for specialty products that other places don’t carry.
Their gourmet tea selection would delight any connoisseur, and I have to practice serious self control when browsing through the gourmet nut spreads. They also have a fine selection of all-natural health and beauty products.
Below are a few items I purchased on this particular trip. The best deals out of the bunch would be the Organic Ezekiel Natural-Sprouted Bread, Organic Peanut-Coconut Butter, Vanilla Almond Milk, Apple Cider Vinegar, and the toiletries (natural toothpastes and soaps.) The most expensive items were the wine and teas- items I could have easily skipped over, though I do have a penchant for a glass of fine wine in the evenings and gourmet tea at noon.
Riba Smith
When Coronado got its own Riba Smith in 2013, the community couldn’t have been more pleased. One of Panama’s favorite grocery chains, Riba Smith is preferred for its imported goods and selection of eco-conscious inventory. While our Coronado branch is smaller than its Panama City siblings, I can find everything the family needs.
Since the store is relatively new, they are frequently changing things up- bringing in new products to see what sells. Every time I go, there are new organic and natural goodies to browse through.
Another nice thing about Riba Smith is that you can request specific goods from any of their sibling stores. So if you’ve been up at night, dreaming about that great brand of chips you found in the city- Riba Smith Coronado will bring it in for you. They also offer home deliveries of groceries, and have set up Coronado’s first recycling center.
Prices
Organic products are always pricier than their GMO-filled counterparts. As with all products in Panama, I find that some organic items cost about the same as they would in North America, while some are pricier. (Canadians, you’ll find less of a price difference than your American neighbors would.)
My strategy is to spend the extra bucks on staple foods and skip over the snack foods that, while tasty, are unnecessary. (I know the organic gummy worms taste great, kids, but I’d hardly call them a necessity…unlike that wine.)
The Mailbox Money-Saving Hack
So what if you find that your favorite brand of fancy-pants tea is too expensive to justify?
Well, you needn’t give it up- thanks to this deliciously sneaky hack.
Coronado has a Mailbox etc. in the town centro- a major convenience considering Panama’s lack of mail service. $29 a month gets you a mailbox and up to 2 kilograms of free shipments every month. (You can also pay more for a higher monthly kg allowance.) The shipments are all forwarded from a corresponding address in Miami, FL.
Now, Amazon Prime accounts ($79/year) offer free domestic shipping on all orders. Hook that account up to your Mailbox Etc. address and you’ll save a bundle ordering your monthly goods from Amazon (which, as we know, usually offers better deals than U.S stores.)
I use this hack to order all the goods that I find are more expensive or hard to find in Panama. I can’t imagine how much money it’s saved me over the years.
So…how hard is it to eat organic in Coronado?
Eating organically in Coronado is becoming easier all the time. For every organic product that makes its way past the register, the store is taking note- and taking orders. As more consumers start shopping eco-consciously, I have a feeling that organic products in Coronado and in Panama will only grow, while the prices will decrease.
I have to say, it feels good to be part of a community that grows in accordance with the tastes of its residents. Watching Coronado progress over the last several years has been a fascinating experience; I’m keen to see what the future has in store.
Hi Liz, photos on your site made it look like Riba smith has fresh organic produce
from North America, especially apples,celery, and carrots. I hope that by now they
are well stocked on these items?
Hi there Liz, hope you are having a beautiful day. I would like to know if there is a transport car company that drives from Panama city to Coronado without charging to much. I will be in with my family next month and will only spend the 2 first days in the city, afterward going strait to coronado. I also want to thank you for your kindness. Your informations are so very precious to the expats. Mali
Hi Malu, Thanks so much for your message! I don’t know of a transport car company, but there are a number of concierge services that may be able to assist in getting someone to just drive the car for you if you didn’t want to drive it yourself. It’s only just over an hour’s drive from the city, mostly highway driving, no far at all!
Great article! I’m here in Coronado for 20 days and I was actually pretty shocked at how few organic options there were at the three big grocery stores I’ve been to so far. I have Riba Smith on my radar next.. I’m thinking after reading your article I won’t be shopping anywhere else for the remainder of my trip 🙂
Hi Christina! There are definitely more and more options, but you do have to know where to look, particularly out at the beaches. Can’t beat a trip out to the organic markets in El Valle on Saturdays either! Liz
Thanks for the info. I just wanted to add that you can order organic products from Vitacost. You will receive free shipping on orders of $49 or more. They have everything you can think of from organic foods, body and home products and even sports equipment.
Hi Robin, thanks for the tip, is that free shipping to Panama or free shipping within the US and then the cost of bringing it to Panama?
Liz, does Riba Smith carry Bragg’s organic Apple Cider Vinegar. Would appreciate knowing. Thanks.
Hi Lydia, I’m not sure about that specific brand, I will check it out next time I am there for you!
Thanks for all the good info…Can you please send me phone number for Organica at your earliest convenience. Thanks much and God bless, Grandma Shelley in Capira
No problem, Grandma Shelley, I’m happy to hear that you found it useful 🙂 I found the following link with the details for Organica…http://playacommunity.com/es/directories/651-organica-store-coronado.html.