Panama City Sights

Casco Viejo

#3 of 109 things to do in Panama City

#5 of 668 sights in Central America

1 reviews | Write a review

Good for: Families, Couples, romantics

Not good for: handicapped people

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    • Casco Viejo

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Lonely Planet review for Casco Viejo

Following the destruction of the old city by Henry Morgan in 1671, the Spanish moved their city 8km southwest to a rocky peninsula on the foot of Cerro Ancón. The new location was easier to defend as the reefs prevented ships from approaching the city except at high tide. The new city was also easy to defend as it was surrounded by a massive wall, which is how Casco Viejo got its name.

In 1904, when construction began on the Panama Canal, all of Panama City existed where Casco Viejo stands today. However, as population growth and urban expansion pushed the boundaries of Panama City further east, the city's elite abandoned Casco Viejo, and the neighborhood rapidly deteriorated into an urban slum.

Today, Casco Viejo is gradually being gentrified, and the buildings that have already been restored give a sense of how magnificent the area must have looked in past years. Recognition of these efforts by the international community resulted in the area being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. However, part of the allure of strolling along Casco Viejo's cobbled streets is the dilapidated charm of the crumbling buildings, abandoned houses and boarded-up ruins.

The restoration of Casco Viejo is still a work in progress, so please be aware of your surroundings and exercise caution while exploring this fascinating neighborhood.

 

Traveller reviews for Casco Viejo (1)

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    Casco Viejo had us at "hello"

    theworldwanderer recommends this,

    We traveled Panama for 3 weeks (Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, San Blas...etc) and the best part of our journey was in Panama City and Casco Viejo. This neighborhood is a true gem with its old churches, beautiful views, quaint shops, and some of the best food we ate during our trip. We would highly recommend the museums (Canal Museum and Emerald Museum) in Casco Viejo as well as a restaurant called Casablanca which is located on Plaza Bolivar. They serve great ceviche or fresh, cured seabass. We stayed at an apartment of Los Cuatro Tulipanes which is a little rental agency who did an amazing job showing us the intricacies of the area and welcomed us with complimentary drinks. With them, our Casco Viejo experience was about as "local" as any trip we've ever taken: by the end, we were friendly with neighbors, watching sunsets from our balcony, and drinking mojitos on the plaza. We didn't want to leave!

    Good for: Families, Couples, romantics

    Not good for: handicapped people

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