The old town of Panama City, Casco Viejo, is, of course, old. But it’s not the original site of Panama City. The older old town, Panamá Viejo, is located a few kilometers away. It was founded in 1519 as Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Panamá, making Panama City the oldest European settlement on the Pacific coast.
There are several interesting churches in Casco Viejo, the historic center of Panama City. Some of them are still in service while others are completely ruined.
Panama City’s old town, Casco Viejo, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was built after the sack of the original site of Panama City by legendary pirate Henry Morgan in 1671. It features many important historic sites, a few museums, and some churches.
A good place to start exploring the small peninsula that is occupied by Casco Viejo is at Plaza de Francia. It sits at the very end of Casco Viejo.
Take the metro to Plaza 5 de Mayo and take a walk down Avenida Central for an authentic look at life in Panama City. Many tourists only see the two historic districts and the modern parts of town, but this is a good look at the REAL Panama City.
Panama City has great nightlife for all kinds of tastes and budgets. Whether you’re just looking for a few beers with friends or want to dance all night, you’ll find what you’re looking for. During a bachelor party, my friends and I had the chance to visit several places around the city. For my entry on restaurants in Panama City, click here.
Clearly the best dining experience my group had in Panama City was at Manolo Caracol in Casco Viejo. This fixed price establishment with no set menu was a real treat. (NOTE: Manolo Caracol is permanently closed).
There are so many great places to eat in Panama City that it was impossible for me to cover all the places I had hoped to visit. This post will cover everywhere I had a chance to eat. For my entry on Panama City’s nightlife and bars, click here.
Modern with a taste of tradition. Cosmopolitan yet distinctly Panamanian. Great food and nightlife. Panama City has a little of everything and makes for both a great long weekend getaway and an extended stay. With innovative architecture and amount of money flowing through the city, it’s earning its aspiration to become the “Dubai of Latin America”, although there is a long way to go.