Casco Viejo, Panama City’s historic district, is a vibrant blend of history, culture, and charm. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a must-visit destination filled with colonial architecture, bustling squares, and unique shops and restaurants. The narrow sidewalks and cobblestone streets are reminiscent of the French Quarter in New Orleans, with beautiful colonial buildings that exude character and charm. The streets are often busy, so be prepared for lots of walking and navigating through crowds. Many squares throughout Casco Viejo feature vendors selling cool treats, handmade souvenirs, and local crafts. Each visit feels like a new discovery with something unique to see or buy. The old town is filled with small shops offering a variety of goods and plenty of restaurants serving delicious local and international cuisine. Take time to admire the colonial buildings that tell the story of Panama’s rich history. Tips for Visiting While the surfaces are well-maintained, they can be uneven, so sturdy and comfortable walking shoes are a must. Panama can be hot and humid, so keep water with you as you explore. Casco Viejo is best experienced at a leisurely pace, so allow yourself time to stroll through the streets and soak in the atmosphere. Each trip to Casco Viejo feels like a fresh experience, and its charm is undeniable. Whether you’re hunting for souvenirs, enjoying a meal, or simply taking in the sights, this historic district is an essential part of any Panama City itinerary.

Attention travelers with "Wynwood House"!!!! I booked in July 24 I was charged right away, I counted on canceling for free on Booking and on August 10 24 I cancel to date I do not see the refund!!! Watch out!!!

This is the historical district and it is certainly worth a visit. In contrast, downtown Panama City is "all business", mostly all skyscrapers, and very little for a tourist to do. Water is expensive (for water). In the heat of March (when we were there) we drank water like crazy. If you plan to stay for a while get to the El Machetazo supermarket where you can buy water (or other grocery items) much less expensively.

Enjoyed walking around the area. There's plenty to see, including seeing some Catholic churches, views of the city, and the water. There are also some plazas - parks with statues of leading Panama figures and plenty of places to shop. I found the merchants who had stands out in the open to be more affordable and enjoyed talking with them rather than buying stuff from the stores in buildings. The Panama Canal Museum is also on the midst of Casco Viejo as well as the Palacio de Gobierno, which I was able to tour.

Alex was great! His driver for pickup at the airport hotel was himself a tour guide and gave us a great introduction to Panama City on the first day after our cruise. Alex gave us a 2 hour walking tour of Casco Viejo which included history, music, culture, and a personal testimony of his life in Panama City (which included education at the historical churches we visited). He made sure we were safely drive home to the airport hotel, making the experience just perfect! We strongly recommend that you take this tour!

I visited Casco Viejo as a solo female traveller and had been unnerved by some of the comments stating that it was next to a slum/potentially dangerous if you wandered away from the main tourist areas. Don't be put off. Casco Viejo has beautiful colonial buildings, churches, history and plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy. I went during daytime, so can't comment on what it's like during nighttime, but felt perfectly safe. I used the Metro to travel to Mayo 5, then walked along Avenue Central (a busy shopping area) which is, in effect, a straight route there, about a 15 minute walk. It's well worth spending a few hours wandering the streets of Casco Viejo and enjoying the sights. I called into the Canal Museum, ahead of visiting the canal tomorrow, and learned about the history behind it. It cost $15USD so is a little pricey but you can easily spend a few hours here. The cathedral is well worth going inside too.

The old town is a very nice place to walk and spend a morning or afternoon. In particular we toured 5 ancient churches, stopping for a while in each to pray and observe their altars and sculptures. There are many places to eat although we didn't there. The only bad thing about the place is that to get there you have to walk along some pretty ugly blocks with a little dirty looking bad businesses. We went by subway to 5 de Mayo station (USD 0.35) and from there we walked through the Seafood Market first. On the way back we went back another way all the way straight down Central Avenue to the subway. The 2 roads were pretty ugly in the first few blocks, but I didn't find it dangerous. Nobody bothered us but it is not a nice part of the neighborhood to look at. Anyway I recommend the visit because the area of the old town where the churches are and the area of Plaza Francia with the views of the sea are very nice and it is something to know in the city.

Beautiful colonial and republican architecture. It is very safe to walk through this part of the city, to be able to contemplate the various houses, churches, parks and squares that can be found there. The view of the modern city from France Square is perfect for a good photo. There are a variety of restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops for all tastes.

We had a great walking tour of Casco Viejo thanks to our extremely knowledgeable and personable guide, Alex. Alex grew up in the neighborhood before it became the UNESCO World Heritage site it is today. His passion and in depth experience provided us a great learning experience that was also lighthearted and entertaining. We learned so much and highly recommend Alex for a wonderful basis of understanding Panama and Casco Viejo.

Panama City was full of surprises, but non as great as Casco Viejo (or Old Town). This gem of an area is walkable, easy to navigate, has multiple town squares, museums, restaurants, and rooftop venues with views of Panama City that are breathtaking. All of this happens amidst building that are being renovated or are totally dilapidated. It is the ultimate in old world charm meets new world.