Photo Guide to Casco Viejo in Panama

I just returned from a 10-day trip to Panama, where the bulk of our time was spent in the luscious islands of Bocas del Toro (more on them in future).  Only on my last night did I finally make it to Panama City’s renowned Casco Viejo neighborhood, & in the words of Julia Roberts: BIG MISTAKE. HUGE!!  My first two nights were spent at the Hotel RIU Panama City, which is a fine hotel….but frankly, it has nothing on the character & charm you’ll find in Casco Viejo.  In future, I would ONLY stay there.  To help prove my point, here’s a “Photo Guide to Casco Viejo in Panama.“

I took this shot right outside my hotel in Casco Viejo: the Central Hotel Panama. Most rooms have balconies overlooking a gorgeous plaza…..I LOVED this hotel!!

 Map of Panama City

How far is Casco Viejo from Tocumen International Airport?  My taxi picked me up at 5AM on the dot in Casco Viejo, & I was at the airport by 5:26AM.  With more traffic, you may expect a 30-35 minute ride.  Because downtown Panama City is so close to Casco Viejo, the drive time to the airport is virtually the same.

 Take a Walking Tour of Casco Viejo….

All shots below were taken on a two-hour stroll right around my hotel: the gorgeous Central Hotel Panama.  If you’re traveling to Panama City, I highly recommend staying in the Casco Viejo neighborhood ~ as hotels like the W & Waldorf Astoria are located in a part of town with heavy traffic that is not ideally suited for walking.

This exterior shot of the Central Hotel offers a view towards the beautiful church that presides over Independence Square.

Notice how the street above is barred to traffic: one of the things that makes Casco Viejo SO great for walkers is that cars here can only use certain streets. This leaves the majority of streets free from traffic, creating an ideal environment for pedestrians & camera-happy tourists!

The Central Hotel’s lobby has gorgeous doors that open up onto the lovely street scene outside….

You can get great aerial shots from many of Casco Viejo’s rooftop bars.

The street scene in Casco Viejo.

Bougainvillea spills over the sides of a local apartment building.

One of the best parts of this neighborhood: its stunning churches.

Colorful buildings here remind me of Cuba…

Lovely balconies filled with potted plants are a common sight in Casco Viejo.

Independence Square.

 Nightlife & Where to Stay in Casco Viejo

The nightlife in Casco Viejo far exceeds the nightlife downtown, & the whole area feels much safer & busier, bustling with people at all hours of the day.  I’m obviously partial to the hotel where I stayed, Central Hotel Panama (gorgeous rooftop pool, quiet & elegant rooms…with robes, the best AC I found anywhere in Panama, chic lobby bar, & a perfect central location in Casco Viejo) ~ but younger travelers may want to check out Tantalo Hotel or La Concordia Boutique Hotel, both of which offer very hip rooftop bars, close to all the action.

The lobby of the Central Hotel Panama is refined & elegant, appealing to discerning travelers. French doors open wide onto Independence Square, making for incredible people-watching.

One of the reasons I loved Central Hotel Panama so much: their gorgeous pool, with views of downtown.

Casco Viejo has some of the city’s best rooftop bars, & consequently: some of the city’s best nightlife.

One of the reasons I enjoy this neighborhood so much is because walking at night feels very safe: armed guards are posted on popular street corners, & there are SO many people walking around that it felt much safer to me than walking around downtown Panama City.

The Tantalo Hotel in Casco Viejo is a hip place for the younger crowd to stay ~ & their rooftop bar is a popular spot to grab a drink.

Great Hotel for Nightlife in Panama City: The hip Tantalo Hotel has vibrant, colorful rooms ~ & it’s also one of Casco Viejo’s liveliest & most beautiful rooftop bars, offering great food as well.

La Concordia Boutique Hotel is another great hotel option in Casco Viejo, with another beautiful rooftop bar & restaurant.

Photo Guide to Casco Viejo in Panama!

I’ll be writing more about Panama soon ~ including an FAQ for travel to the lush & tropical islands of Bocas del Toro.  I had a lot of questions about travel there prior to our trip (where to stay, what to pack, etc.), & now that I’ve been, I can help answer the most common questions about this gorgeous part of Panama! 

Stay tuned….

xoxo Noelia 

Read Next: Travel Planning Guide for Panama

Pin It!