Photo Guide to Casco Viejo in Panama

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

I took this shot right outside my hotel in Casco Viejo: Central Hotel Panama. I LOVED this stunning hotel!!

 Map of Panama City

If you’ve never been to Panama City before: I HIGHLY recommend staying in Casco Viejo, which is incredibly safe & so charming.  Enter your travel dates in the map below to get hotel pricing in Casco Viejo.

 Take a Walking Tour of Casco Viejo….

All shots below were taken on a two-hour stroll around my hotel: the gorgeous Central Hotel Panama.  If you’re traveling to Panama City, stay Casco Viejo.  Hotels like the W & Waldorf Astoria (while very nice) are located in a part of town with heavy traffic that isn’t ideally suited for walking.

Exterior shot of Central Hotel with a view towards the beautiful church on 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 can only use certain streets. The majority of streets are free from traffic, creating an ideal environment for pedestrians!

Lobby of Central Hotel, with doors that open up to the plaza.

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 Casco Viejo: 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 safer & busier, bustling with people at all hours.  I’m obviously partial to 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).  But younger travelers may want to check out Tantalo Hotel or La Concordia Boutique Hotel, which have fantastic rooftop bars, close to all the action.

The lobby of Central Hotel Panama is refined & elegant. French doors open onto Independence Square, great for people-watching.

Central Hotel’s rooftop pool, with views of downtown.

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

Walking at night feels very safe here: guards are posted on popular street corners, & there are SO many people walking around compared to downtown.

Tantalo Hotel in Casco Viejo is a great 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 a beautiful rooftop 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!