Casco Viejo Panama – This Now Eclectic Beautiful Hip District

Posted by Stephanie Griggs | Blog, Central America, Panama | 26

On a hot muggy day in Panama this Epat Traveler found the latest eclectic beautiful hip district of Casco Viejo. Sun was setting with vibrant colors lighting up the old and newbuildings. What a beautiful sight to see. I knew then that for some amazing photos an early morning visit was in my future. Follow me on my travel journey through this varied eclectic historic district with my Lonely Planet Travel Book in hand.

Table of Contents

Brief History – Casco Viejo
Location – Casco Viejo
Dine and Drink – Casco Viejo
Top Tourist Attractions – Casco Viejo
Travel Tips – Casco Viejo
- Etcetera
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Plaza de Francia with more restaurants with a lovely garden and view

Brief History – Casco Viejo

Casco Viejo, Casco Antiguo or San Felipe as it is also known by, is an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. A look back in time shows this historic district with Cathedrals, Churches, and multiple buildings that were in need for repair. Casco Viejo was founded in 1519 by the Conquistadors and is the oldest European Settlement on the Pacific Coast of the Americas.

The settlement was set up in a rectilinear grid which was typical of a European Town. Casco Viejo was affected by slave rebellion, fire, earthquake and pirate attacks therefore was abandoned. The replaced Historic District kept the same European Grid.

Wander this eclectic hip historic district with a unique blend of 19th-20th century architecture with French and Caribbean influences. The now restored builders are turned into museums, quaint shops, gourmet restaurants with upscale residences. These renovated buildings alongside those in need of repair, housed with poor families. Experience this eclectic mix of old and new as you walk down the streets in awe. Let us see where this beautiful city is located.

Old residential residents next to new renovated buildings…

The old residential housing next to the new…

New upscale residential housing across from the old…

A view of Downtown Panama City from Casco Viejo Historic District

Location – Casco Viejo

Casco Viejo is located in Panama next to Panama City. Very easy to find and only a taxi ride away. Your hotel can help you with your taxi.

United, Delta, American, Copa, Avianca and other airlines offer flights to Panama City, Panama. For budget prices check the Skyscanner App for discount tickets.

Diablicos Restaurant

Dine and Drink – Casco Viejo

Sample the wide variety of dine and drink places while there. They range from expensive to budget in Casco Viejo.

Coffee Shops, Bars and Nightclubs

Los Del Patio [ bar & art gallery ]
Raspados Julio [ mobile shaved ice cream cart ]
Mojitos Sin Mojtos [ beer & BBQ spot ]
La Casona [ unique ocean front art bar ]
Saint Philipe Cafe [ local cafe with local dishes ]
Vieja Habana [ enjoy a cuban cigar and drink next to the presidental guard station ]
Relic [ bar located in the center of Luna’s Castle, hostel ]
Habana Panama [ dance floor, bar with menu ]
Casablanca [ extensive menu with outdoor seating ]
Cedros [ outdoor seating and tavern style ]
Los Cementinas Cafe and Bar
DiVino Enoteca [ specializes in wine]
Ciao Pescao [ Peruvian style seafood ]
Platea Jazz Bar [ salsa Friday and Saturday ]

Top Tourist Attractions – Casco Viejo

The historic district is rich with history that dates back centuries. Wander the streets and see this eclectic hip district come to life. Here is a list of attractions and monuments to aid in your journey. Also make sure to visit the fine shops and souvenirs places.

History Museum of Panama
Canal Museum
El Altar de Oro of San Jose Church
El Arco Chato
Las Bovedas Monument
Presidential Palace
The Emerald Museum
Plaza Bolivar
Plaza de Independencia
Casa Gongora

Travel Tips – Casco Viejo

Wear your walking shoes to visit this hip eclectic historic district
Take a hat and bottle of water due to the higher level of humidity and bright sun.
Visit early morning for great photos with less people or visit around sunset for great colors in your photos.
Take smaller bills for shopping the souvenir stalls.
Local currency is the Panamanian Balboa. Make sure to check the exchange rate before you go.
Spanish is the main language spoken in Panama. A small translator will help especially when ordering food.

Lonely Planet – great books that I recommend and use!

Etcetera

Casco Viejo, Panama is a great day trip from Panama City. Another great day trip is to the Panama Canal. These both are must do’s when you are in town. Enjoy your trip to Panama and look for more blogs of my Expat Travel Adventures there.

Visit 1AdventureTraveler for more Expat Travel Adventures around the world. Journey with me to China, Japan, Korea, Italy, and more.

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Have you traveled to Panama? Please leave me a comment on any recommendations you have on your visit to Panama.

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About The Author

Stephanie Griggs

Hi, I am an expat adventure traveler who has traveled to some wonderful places around the world outside of my comfort zone. One who loves to immerse myself into other cultures and share my experiences with others. Enjoy my travel adventures, guides, and recommendations. "Life is short, go out and have an adventure"

26 Comments

Juan on September 12, 2017 at 15:08

Gracias. Muy bonito el articulo.
Reply
- Stephanie Griggs on September 15, 2017 at 22:14
  
  Thank you Juan.
  Panama is a great place to visit.
Trippin' Turpins (Kelly) on September 6, 2017 at 23:23

Wow! I love all the old buildings! Thanks for introducing me to this district!
Reply
- Stephanie Griggs on September 15, 2017 at 22:15
  
  Thanks Kelly,
  It is a great place we stumbled upon and I wished would have stayed in the area longer.
Carmen Baguio on September 3, 2017 at 13:34

Love visiting districts like this, vibrant and full of character. I have never been to Panama, but hope to do a Central America tour someday soon! Pinning this!
Reply
- Stephanie Griggs on September 15, 2017 at 22:17
  
  Thanks Carmen, for also pinning. I hope you get a chance to visit Panama and this would be a wonderful place to see. So close to the capital and worth a visit.
Sandy N Vyjay on September 3, 2017 at 10:12

Casco Viejo looks so colourful and charming. The fact that it seems be full of heritage buildings makes it all the more alluring. Would love to visit there some day.
Reply
- Stephanie Griggs on September 15, 2017 at 22:18
  
  Hi Sandy, Casco Viejo is a very interesting cultural place to visit and I hope you get a chance to experience this interesting old town.
Shona @ paraphernalia.co on September 3, 2017 at 00:44

I haven’t visited Panama yet but when I do I’ll definitely be visiting Casco Viejo. What a cool spot. Your info is great, I’ll be using it when I go.
Reply
- Stephanie Griggs on September 15, 2017 at 22:26
  
  Thanks Shona, Casco Viejo is so colorful with the buildings and the people. I enjoyed my visits there and hope you get a chance to visit.
Kreete on September 2, 2017 at 21:14

I love learning about new destinations. I haven’t even thought about Panama, but its certainly on the radar now! I love the photos and that you have listed all the places to see and do and where to eat! Perfect for anyone heading this way!
Reply
- Stephanie Griggs on December 2, 2017 at 13:43
  
  Thanks Kreete, Casco Viejo Panama was not on my radar until my husband said were taking a visit. lol. Glad I did and would to spend more time here. Hope you get a chance to visit Panama there are lots of great places to see…🙂
Rob+Ann @TravelLatte(.net) on September 2, 2017 at 11:34

I love the look of the old district! The cathedral is beautiful, too. Somehow, Panama has never been high on our wish list, except for the Panama Canal. Recently, though, we’ve been oohing and aahing over photos from the coast and islands, and now this great historic village…maybe time for us to reconsider Panama!
Reply
- Stephanie Griggs on December 2, 2017 at 14:01
  
  Hi Rob & Ann, Casco Viejo Old Town Panama is a wonderful place to visit on the way to the canal or after. Hope you get a chance to visit Panama where the mountains, animals and beaches are a great place to see…🙂
Angie (FeetDoTravel) on September 2, 2017 at 06:41

I have not been to Panama, but I want to now! Casco Viejo is a surprising hip district, I love the buildings and colour. There is quite a bit to do here … I will be focusing on the food so thanks for that! Pinned for future reference #feetdotravel
Reply
- Stephanie Griggs on December 2, 2017 at 14:04
  
  Thanks Angie, Casco Viejo Old Town Panama is a hip and fun place to visit. In Panama there are some other great places to see like the animals, forest, beaches and mountains. Hope you get a chance to visit…🙂
Only By Land on September 1, 2017 at 09:13

When I visited Panama I only visited Casco Viejo for a night out. I’m not sure which bar it was, it was a rooftop bar open late! I wish I had allocated more time to explore Casco Viejo in the day to photograph the points of interest.
Reply
- Stephanie Griggs on December 2, 2017 at 14:07
  
  Hi James, How cool you have been to Casco Viejo Panama. That rooftop bar sounds cool. This cute hip district is great to photograph in the early morning and around sunset…🙂
Scarlett Begonias on August 31, 2017 at 23:30

I love the French and Caribbean influence in the architecture, some of the balconies remind me of New Orleans. What a cute, hip little district. Adding to the list 🙂
Reply
- Stephanie Griggs on November 19, 2017 at 08:30
  
  Thanks Scarlett,
  Yes, Casco Viejo does remind me too of New Orleans. Cute little district.
Ruth | Tanama Tales on August 31, 2017 at 22:30

I went to Panama City several years ago. I loved every part of it even though certain aspects were challenging. While looking at your photos, I started to remember a lot of the buildings I walk by on the Casco Viejo. I want to go back and see how the city has changed.
Reply
- Stephanie Griggs on December 2, 2017 at 15:21
  
  Hi Ruth, Glad you have visited Panama City years ago. I heard from another traveler that after seeing my photos she was surprised how the area has changed and looks more eclectic and hip. Hope you get to visit the city again and see some other interesting places while there…😁
Barry on August 31, 2017 at 13:12

Love the colorful buildings! Nice photos taken! I am now currently in Vietnam and it looks somehow like Casco Viejo! French leaves history everywhere.
Reply
- Stephanie Griggs on December 2, 2017 at 15:23
  
  Thanks Barry, Yes, the French do leave their history everywhere. The buildings were so cool to photograph in Casco Viejo Panama. Hope your time in Vietnam was great…where are you traveling at now? 😁
Travel Lexx on August 29, 2017 at 19:01

Really love the beautiful colonial architecture of Casco Viejo – I would literally spend hours just walking around and taking it all in! Panama is not somewhere I have considered to visit that often but I may have to reconsider!
Reply
- Stephanie Griggs on August 13, 2018 at 11:15
  
  Hi Alexei, Panama was not my bucket list, but once there and finding this fun eclectic district, was a place I just wanted to hangout and soak in the culture and architecture. Great stop over place and hope you get a chance to visit.