Old Town Panama City is a district located on the bay in the heart of Panama City, Central America, it is the historical colonial quarter of Panama. It is one of the most important tourist attractions in Panama and also one of its most visited places by both locals and foreigners. Old Town Panama City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What is Old Town Panama City or Casco Viejo?
Casco Viejo is the local name for Old Town Panama City. It is s the oldest part of the actual Panama City, and it’s one of the most charming places in this city on the Pacific coast. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its rich history, colonial architecture, and culture. Do not mistake it with Old Panama, which is the archeological site where the city was first build, and is in the other side of the city.
Old town Panama City is a great place to explore. It’s the best place to eat, drink and stay in Panama City. There are many restaurants you can visit when visiting this area. The food here is very good and it has a variety of different dishes from all over the world. Casco Viejo is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Central America. Located on Panama Bay, it’s only a short taxi ride from the modern skyscrapers of Punta Pacifica. There are plenty of hotels here—ranging from hostels to luxury ones, but you don’t have to stay overnight to enjoy everything Casco Viejo has to offer.
Brief history of Old Town Panama Casco Viejo
Casco Viejo’s history is a long one, and it’s filled with tales of conquest, colonization, independence and revolution. Casco Viejo was founded by Spanish colonists in 1519 as the first permanent European settlement on mainland America after they left Cuba. Vasco Núñez de Balboa discovered it while exploring the Pacific Ocean on foot with his men, which he did through what we know today as “El Camino Real” (The Royal Road).
It has been inhabited by indigenous tribes since at least 500 BC; colonized by Europeans in 1519; attacked repeatedly by pirates and privateers during both colonial times (1671–1821) and independence (1821–1903). The city was also home to plenty of merchants who traded with China but were unable to visit due to distance or politics.
From its very beginning until today, it has been a melting pot for different cultures and races from around the world: Africans brought over as slaves during colonial times; Asians who worked as laborers in construction projects; immigrants from Europe seeking adventure or fortune during 19th century heyday for trade routes between North & South America; native peoples who have always lived here before any Europeans came along.
This cultural diversity can be seen clearly throughout Casco Viejo today: African rhythms fill dance halls while traditional dances are performed by Indians wearing colorful costumes from their native tribes.
It's easy to navigate
Casco Viejo is a compact area. Compared to the rest of Panama City, it’s quite small and easy to navigate. With only a few streets, you’ll easily find your way around by walking. Your tour guide can show you the not to miss spots, churches and hidden treasures. You can also spend a couple of hours wandering Casco Viejo on your own, buy some handcrafts, tasting delicious Panamanian chocolate and off course wearing your Panama hat.
Another great thing about Casco Viejo is that it’s in the heart of Panama City. It is conveniently located in the center of the city, so you can walk almost anywhere from here. If you want to get somewhere quicker, it’s only a short taxi ride away from other parts of Panama City.
How to get to Casco Viejo and what to do there?
Getting to Casco Viejo is easy. You can either take a taxi, an Uber or the metro (the closest station is 5 de Mayo). Your tour guide will take you there, since is one of the most important places to visit in Panama City.
Casco Viejo is a fascinating place, with many things to do. You can visit the old colonial buildings, museums, art galleries and restaurants. There are also many bars and nightclubs in this area. You can also go shopping in Casco Viejo, as there are some nice boutiques there. You can also find music everywhere, from Salsa lessons, live bands, D. Js and some of the restaurants even have accommodation outside on the plazas.
Some great restaurants in Casco Viejo
If you’re looking for a good meal, your best bet is to head to the Plaza Bolivar, where you’ll find a wide range of restaurants and bars serving traditional Panamanian cuisine alongside international cuisine from all over the world
If your trip falls during any major holidays (Carnival, Independence Day), expect even busier crowds as locals celebrate with parades through town and late-night parties at local bars. The same goes for Christmas and Easter: these are peak tourist seasons. On the other side if your trip is during a long weekend with an alcohol restriction, you will enjoy a very quiet Casco Viejo and some of the bars will be closed do to the prohibition to sell alcohol during those dates.
We hope this guide has helped you get a better understanding of what Casco Viejo is all about. It’s an amazing part of Panama City that deserves your attention, and we encourage you to go out there and explore everything it has to give.
So remember, when you are ready to visit the city, with a certified bilingual tour guide, who can really show you the beauties of this marvelous city of Panama, just click here and and Tour Now will send you a guide right away.
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