Casco Viejo (the old quarter) was founded in 1673 after the famous Capt. Morgan for whom the rum is named burned down the original city of Panama Viejo in 1671.

It sits on a peninsula with Bahia De Panama on one side and ships lining up for passage through the Panama Canal on the other.

In 1997 UNESCO declared the Casco a world heritage site. The area is still developing with many of the old buildings in a rundown to ruined state.

During the day you’ll find it a very colorful area with small winding brick paved streets. As you walk through the different plazas you can feel the ocean breeze dance through the streets and imagine the time when the city lived in fear of pirates.

As you walk down Central Ave towards the Pacific Ocean look for Plaza Bolivar on Calle 4 and Ave B. Here you’ll see an amazing statue celebrating the independence from Columbia. In a house surrounding the Plaza the Declaration of Independence for Panama was written. You will also find the National Theater overlooking the sea.

Follow Central Ave the other direction and it quickly becomes a pedestrian street, with shopping everywhere you look. For some really great deals look for “Orange” a full department store that will lighten your mood but not your wallet. For shoes under $10 shirts as low as $2 and watches right around $5.

Casco Viejo is in development and the surrounding areas rang from being a wee bit sketchy to down right dangerous. The Chorrillo area (on the coast to northwest) is to be avoided day and night. The rampant gang activity keeps even the locals away.

A friend of mine got off the bus near the Chorrilo area and children came running up to warn him away, quickly walking the other way to find a taxi the heavily armed local police saw him and quickly scooped him up and gave him a ride back to the safe area of town.

It can be a little confusing with the winding streets so pick up a map at Luna’s Castle (Calle 9 & Ave B) the staff all speak English and know the area like the back of their hand.
Overall the Casco Viejo area is an amazing taste of Panama.

To get here take a bus to the Cinco de Mayo Plaza. Walk Central Ave. Shop along the way. Grab lunch at the Coca-Cola Café at the end of Central Ave ($3-$5)

Stop in Luna’s Castle and ask for directions to the Old Cigar shop ( Hand rolled Cigars $.50 and up) and enjoy the view across the Bahia De Panama of the ever changing Panama City Skyline. Then grab bed at Luna’s Castle ($12) or a cab back to your hotel around sunset.

Written and researched by Jason M. O’Rourke