Fresh Friday Market in Pedasi at CouCou Crazy

The Fresh Friday Market in Pedasi is one of my favorite things to do. Anybody who has ever spent time in Pedasi knows this is a pretty sleepy place. So it is fun to have activities where you can see people like this market. Most of the people who visit the Fresh Friday Market in Pedasi are locals, some come from nearby places like Las Tablas, Playa Venao or more rural areas. It is still not a tourist spot, even though it could be.

This market is on our list of things to do in Pedasi. Visit CouCou Crazy each Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to experience it.

What to get at the Fresh Friday Market in Pedasi?

The Fresh Friday Market in Pedasi is open to any vendor who wants to put a stand. So it changes depending on who shows up each Friday. Some of the vendors sell things like ceramic pots and even handmade shower rugs (which look so cute but my dogs would destroy them). I purchased some wood cutting boards from Frank, a man from Canada. He gets scrap wood at the local wood shops to make his boards. His daughter sells sourdough bread. Carmela also sells bread, which you have to pre-order. And her husband sometimes sells smoked tuna dips.

Many vendors sell what they produce in their farms. Expect to see bananas, spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, turmeric, papaya, pineapples, and many other tropical produce. There are always people selling plants which can be ornamental, trees, herbs or produce.

My yoga teacher has a vegan stand “Panamaste” which sells hummus, brownies and smoothies. A German lady and her husband make yogurt and cheese including lahbe, cream cheese and mozzarella. While a couple from Italy make focaccia and lasagna. Another couple from Italy make desserts, her husband is a chef, and they sell crystals and incense. There are some wellness vendors who sell essential oils and tinctures.

One of my go-to places is Noemi who has her Bonjour ice cream stand. Flavors include sorbets and milk ice cream. She also has a stand in Wao Venao (from the owners of Wao Jungle Venao) and Eco Venao (you can stay in Eco Venao). It is also possible to get a haircut in the Fresh Friday Market in Pedasi.

CouCou Crazy

The Fresh Friday Market in Pedasi is hosted by CouCou Crazy. You can find this cute coffee shop in Pedasi off the road to Playa El Toro about 5 minutes from the town plaza. Dennis Paesmans is its owner and creator. This Belgian native moved to Pedasi to live a completely different life than that at home working as a lawyer. Now he brews beer, kombucha and coffee. Beer is brewed inside a shipping container which also has a rooftop area. He specializes in European style beers, which are rotated. It is possible to ask for a tasting.

I love coffee and this is the best place to have some in Pedasi. Dennis roasts his own coffee from the highlands of Panama. Our country produces top quality coffee which you can buy on site or have a cup which can be prepared in a variety of styles. Have a piece of cake or a bagel, both homemade, with your coffee. They also serve waffles and other breakfast options. On Monday evenings they do mussels and fries for their sunset sessions.

CouCou Crazy is also where I take my yoga class. They have a deck area which is used for the Fresh Friday Market in Pedasi. Twice a year they also host a larger end of season festival with music bands. This place is also home to many farm animals like pigs, goats, sheep and chicken; as well as domestic animals like cats and dogs. Of course, it is a pet friendly venue in Pedasi. There are also tropical plants on site like papaya, passion fruit, plantain, turmeric, herbs and a few coffee plants that Dennis managed to grow in such a hot area.