Best Things To Do In Fascinating Casco Viejo, Panama City

The old town of Panama City has a number of names, like Casco Viejo, Casco Antiguo and more. However, this atmospheric neighborhood of the country’s capital is also the hippest in the city. Meanwhile, Casco Viejo is a UNESCO-listed district, with its renovated buildings in many hues, its old churches, wrought-iron balconies and narrow cobblestone streets. In total, the neighborhood consists of four historic avenues, with some of Panama City’s trendiest bars, top restaurants and more. Here, we look at some of the top things to do in Casco Viejo, Panama City.

1. Museo del Canal, Casco Viejo

The Panama Canal, linking the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, was an ambitious project but was badly planned. The city began work on the waterway in 1880. However, by the time it was completed in 1914, around 25,000 people had died, mainly from tropical diseases.

However, despite this, the Panama Canal is one of the country’s major attractions and one of its top sights to see. A visit to the Museo del Canal in Casco Viego outlines the history of the ambitious project and is set in one of the historic buildings, dating from 1874.

2. Explore the cobblestone streets

Strolling the four, palm-lined avenues, you can visit the city’s four main plazas. Explore Plaza Herrera, Plaza de la Independencia, Plaza de Francia and Plaza Bolivar, lined with ancient, crumbling buildings. Meanwhile, interspersed among the ruins are renovated historic buildings, reimagined into boutique hotels.

Visit the American Trade Hotel along the way, which was once the tallest building in Panama City, even though it only has three stories. Make sure to enjoy a drink in the Hotel Compañia, originally built as a Jesuit convent in 1688.

One thing to note is that the Casco Viejo is safe to explore, where you can enjoy the architecture, cool cafés and street art in peace.

3. Visit Pedro Mandinga to sample rum

Pedro Mandinga is Panama’s first artisanal, craft rum distillery and is also the first dedicated rum bar in Casco Viejo. Sample the product while relaxing in the tropical print armchairs and cooled by rattan ceiling fans. In the background, vintage salsa music plays, while relaxing the afternoon away.

Make sure to ask to sample the silver and spiced house rums, crafted with Raspadura pure cane sugar. Meanwhile, try out a Mandinga mojito as Panama City’s best cocktail.

4. Enjoy a cup of ceviche at Mercado de Mariscos

Panama City’s Mercado de Mariscos on the palm-fringed waterfront boulevard is the city’s fish market. Meanwhile, stalls display huge lobsters on ice, freshly caught shrimp and neatly filleted fish.

Visit the Mercado de Mariscos at lunchtime where you can choose the catch of the day to be cooked to order in the restaurant upstairs. Make sure you order the citrus-sharp ceviche, served in Styrofoam cups and accompanied by an ice-cold beer.

Enjoy a visit to the fascinating Casco Viejo in Panama City to experience all this and more.