Strolling Through Casco Viejo in Panama

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Places where you can stay in Panama City

Dear Luke and Leia,

Today we are strolling through Casco Viejo, the oldest part of Panama City. Its brick paved streets make you feel like time has warped and you’ve stepped back into an age where life was much simpler and details were more fascinating. The bright colors, wrought iron and bold arches of Casco’s Spanish architecture give such a warm appearance that they match that of the people living here.

National Cathedral in Casco Viejo, Panama
National Cathedral

There are so many shops and restaurants in this area that one could spend two weeks in Casco Viejo and not eat at the same place twice. We found a place on a roof top with spectacular views of both the old Casco and new modern metropolis Panama City.

Brick streets and bright colors are the normal in Casco Viejo, Panama.
Brick streets and bright colors are the norm in Casco.
Spanish design in Casco Viejo, Panama City, Panama.
Spanish details are everywhere.
Market tucked into a ruined building attracts many souvenir hunters.
Market tucked into a ruined building attracts many souvenir hunters.
Roof-top bar offers views and booze.
Rooftop bar offers views and booze.
Contrasting views of old and new from you table in Casco Viejo, Panama.
Contrasting views of old and new from your table.

As you look about, the culture and character of the people are displayed in the lives and crafts around you. Children play in the streets with the simplest of toys, while around the next corner a local dressed in the national dress is proudly walking towards a festival. Arts and crafts tell of the history of these people who now make up the Panamanians whom we have come to know and love.

Little boy playing with a plastic bag in Casco Viejo.
Little boy playing with a plastic bag in Casco Viejo.
Lady dressed in the National Panamanian dress for a local festival.
Lady wearing la pollera, the traditional Panamanian costume, for a local festival.
Masks made by the indigenous Emberá tribe are available at souvenir shops in Casco Viejo, Panama City, Panama.
Masks made by the indigenous Emberá tribe are available at souvenir shops in Casco.
Baskets from the Embará tribe can be woven tightly enough to hold water.
Baskets from the Embará tribe can be woven tightly enough to hold water.

A tale of three cities

It seems wild as the contrasting views of old and new come together here in Casco Viejo, especially knowing its history. Panama City is actually a tale of three cities with birth, disaster and recovery to final world-wide glory. Panama Viejo (old Panama) is the oldest of the settlements and sacked by Captain Morgan in the 1500’s.

Tale of 3 cities: Original Panama City now known as Panama Viejo, dates from the 1500's.
Tale of 3 cities: Original Panama City now known as Panama Viejo, dates from the 1500’s.

Panama City #2

The survivors relocated to a more defensible location on a small peninsula jutting out into the Pacific Ocean, and this is today’s Casco Viejo. Or Casco Antiguo. Take your pick.

strolling through casco viejo Photo Essays, Central America, Destinations, Experiences, Panama, Photography

Tale of 3 cities: Casco Viejo settled in a more defensible position on a peninsula.

The Panama City of today

Finally, the modern day city, with buildings touching the clouds, is a full display of abundance and victory as any other modern city in the world. Panama has burst upon the world financial scene, completely overcoming the disasters of her past, to now be called the Singapore of the West.

Tale of 3 cities: Modern day Panama City and its financial district.
Tale of 3 cities: Modern day Panama City and its financial district.

 

View of both the old and new Panama City from Casco Viejo.

Beautiful architecture as the sun set for the day on Panama Viejo, Panama City, Panama.
Beautiful architecture as the sun set for the day on Casco Antiguo, Panama City, Panama.

Yes, we love Panama City and especially Casco Viejo.
Love,

Nana and Pap

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Written by Dan

Professional photographer specializing in street, food and travel shots.

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10 thoughts on “Strolling Through Casco Viejo in Panama”

  1. Wow, I had no idea that Panama had such an interesting history – or such an incredible skyline! I really love that shot showing the juxtaposition between the old and the new. It looks like a really colourful place.

  2. Casco Viejo’s architecture looks very much like Mexico City, not surprisingly. I love these little “barrios” where time seems to have stopped and people still live a peaceful life. Panama City looks very colorful and pretty.

    • Haha – yeah, those Spaniards left their mark wherever they went! We have a weakness for those old cities that time forgot. I guess that’s one reason we love Europe so much.

  3. I love Panama’s Casco Viejo. You photos remind me so much of my own stroll thru thru the narrow streets. I think I love this place so much because it reminds me a lot of Old San Juan, the place I visited so many times when I was a kid. The new part of town has changed a lot since I visited. I do not recognize a lot of the buildings in the skyline.

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