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Casco Viejo

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Casco Viejo, Panama City, Panama

This is the historic district of Panama City. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The name of Casco Viejo means “old town” in Spanish.

View from

View from Cinta Costera roadway

It’s located at West end of the city along the bay, and before the entrance to the Panama Canal.Casco Viejo (6 of 23) The Cinta Costera roadway loops around this historic part of the city out into the bay. The views looking back towards the new Panama City are spectacular from this roadway.

As you walk from the Cinta Costera park from the main part of the city to Casco Viejo, you first enter

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Centenario park

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Centenario park

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Centenario park

Quinto Centenario park, which has many beautiful plants and shrubs, including this great bridge arbor, covered with bougainvillea.

 

The district of Casco Viejo has a very rich history, and you will find many old historic, empty shelled

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Churches

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Churches

Churches

Churches

out buildings right next to newly restored buildings. There are lots of great historic churches, monuments, plazas, narrow streets, with restaurants, bars, and cafes. Plan on spending the whole day to tour this great old town.

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One of the things that caught my eye was the great artwork that is painted on the walls, all throughout Casco Viejo.

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The other thing that you notice is that right next to what looks like a bomb-out historic building, there will be a recently restored building. When I asked some of the local residents of this old town why such a contrast in buildings and when will the town be fully restored, I got the answer that the restoration is all part of a twenty-five-year plan.

If I was to choose Panama City to be my new residence, this is the part of the city I would live in.Casco Viejo (8 of 23) Casco Viejo (9 of 23) It is very clean, great views, right on the water, lots of restaurants, bars, and easy access to everything else that Panama City has to offer. The only downside is that it is very popular with locals and tourists, so there is always a lot of people, cars, and noise, especially on the weekends. Parking will also be an issue if you own a car.

Next, up will be my blog on the Panama Canal.

Panama City, Panama

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The Travel Adventure Begins

Panama City, Panama

Panama City Panama

Panama City Panama

February 7th, 2016 – On the way to determine if Panama is where I want to relocate to. Leaving on an overnight flight from Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Panama City, Panama (PTY). Arrived morning of the 8th. and immediately noticed the humidity difference between the two cities. Los Angeles, of course, is very dry year round and Panama City is just the opposite. At least it is considered to be the dry season in Panama (November to May).

Even though Panama is located north of the equator, the locals refer to the dry season as their summer. When I asked why they call November through May their summer months, they answer back that it is, and they say so. Makes no sense to me.

PTY Airport Construction

PTY Airport Construction

The airport facility is ok, but you do notice that a whole new terminal and airport complex is being built next to the old terminal facility.

Riding in a shuttle from the airport to my hotel, you travel on the Corredor Sur, which takes you to downtown Panama City. Most of the Hotels are located along Avenida Balboa,

which is located right on Panama Bay, and they make up the beautiful skyline of high rise buildings on one side and the Bay on the other side.

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Panama City

Panama City (2 of 11)

Downtown Panama City

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Panama City

All along the bay and across from the high rise buildings is the famous Cinta Costera, which is a beautiful bike / pedestrian park that travels between Casco Viejo (Old City) and Parque de la Cinta Costera (about 2 miles).

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Cinta Costera

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Cinta Costera

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Cinta Costera

The park has lots of trees, gardens, pedestrian bridges (to cross Avenida Balboa), and grass all along the park. On Sundays, they even close down Avenida Balboa for use by bicycles only (from 6 am. to about noon).

Looking from the bay across the park and Avenida Balboa, you see the beautiful skyline that the city is famous for. It’s hard to believe that you are in a third world country. This view reminds me of looking across from New Jersey towards Manhattan Island in the states. It is impressive!

Panama City (9 of 11) Panama City (7 of 11)Panama Bay has a very high tidal swing (about 18 feet) so most of the boats you see in the bay or harbors along the Cinta Costera will either be floating on water or grounded in the mud depending on the tides. This tidal swing also accounts for the sometimes bad odor that comes off the bay during low tides.

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Fisherman’s Market

Since I was visiting Panama during Carnaval or Carnival, the city was bustling with tourists and out of towners. Part of the Cinta Costera was fenced off and closed for use until after Ash Wednesday (Feb 10th). It’s hard to explain what Carnaval in Panama City is all about other than to say peaceful chaos. Carnaval last 4 – 5 days and most businesses are closed during this time. People all over Panama gather to eat, drink, and party till the sun comes up for 4 days.

See blog on Casco Viejo next.