Visiting Panama Viejo: Everything you need to know before you go
Panama Viejo was the first European city built along the Pacific Ocean in the Americas and was established in 1519 by Pedro Arias Davila. Its prime location quickly created a trading metropolis, but that led to attacks from pirates that ultimately destroyed the city. Today, Panama Viejo as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here's everything you need to know!
Plan a trip to Panama City, Panama and I’m confident you will quickly discover Casco Viejo, which directly translates as “old town”.
The truth is, although the neighborhood is historical and full of colonial-era architecture, it’s not the original Panama City settlement.
Travel 8km northeast of Casco Viejo and you’ll find Panama Viejo, a sprawling 28 acre space full of crumbling ruins that offers visitors insight into the very first colonial outpost in all of Panama.
Here’s everything you need to know before your visit!
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THE HISTORY OF PANAMA VIEJO
The first European city built along the Pacific Ocean in the Americas, Panama Viejo, was established in 1519 by Pedro Arias Davila during the Spanish Colonial era.
Situated along a shallow cove, its prime location quickly created a trading metropolis, most notably of gold and silver. Although the settlement was prospering, the ships that transported treasures back to Spain quickly caught the eye of pirates.
In 1671, the attacks came ashore as the famous pirate, Captain Henry Morgan, went for the jugular, ransacking and pillaging Panama Viejo to the point of destruction.
When it was all said and done, thousands of people had perished and the city was left in ruins.
Rather than re-build, the survivors moved and established a new town in what is presently known as Casco Viejo (completed in 1673).
The peninsula in which the new city was settled upon served as a natural geographic defense system while walls, which are still standing to this day, were built as reinforcements.
Fast forward to 1997, Panama Viejo was established as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is now the most well-funded archaeological site in the entire country.
Ruins at the Panama Viejo UNESCO World Heritage Site in Panama City, Panama
GETTING TO PANAMA VIEJO
Panama Viejo is located on the northern end of the city, 8km away from Casco Viejo.
Parking is limited so it’s best to arrive via taxi or Uber, otherwise you can expect to have to park a good distance away and hoof it to the entrance gate.
If arriving by bus, take the following routes:
Panama Viejo-Via Israel-Albrook (departs from Balboa and from Albrook)
Old Panama-Seafood Market (Exits the Seafood Market)
Panama Viejo-Cinta Costera (Departs from Albrook)
Albrook-Via Porras-Cincuentenario (Departs from Albrook and from May 5)
Address: Panama Viejo, Vía Cincuentenario, Panamá, Panama
Phone: +507 226-8915
Hours: 8am - 5pm, closed on Mondays
ENTRANCE FEES
General entrance to the Panama Viejo complex includes access to the walking path through the archaeological park, museum, and viewing platform from the Cathedral tower.
National adults: $10.00
Foreign adults: $15.00
Children: $2.00
Don’t want to plan your trip? Consider one of these top tours:
WHAT TO PACK FOR PANAMA VIEJO
Water Bottle - There is a cafe near the Cathedral tower, but bring your own bottle and save some money.
Daypack - The best way to explore the ruins is to walk amongst them, so it’s important to have a convenient way to carry your camera, water bottle, sunscreen, etc. This Cotopaxi Allpa is my new go-to!
Rain jacket - Rainy season hits Panama between the months of April and December. I was caught huddling under a tree for shelter more than once during my visit. Don’t be like me; go prepared.
Comfortable Shoes - It’s a 15 minute walk from the ticket booth to the heart of the ruins, so make sure to dress accordingly (a free shuttling service is provided for those in need).
Panama SIM Card - This guarantees you can you easily get to/from Panama Viejo by using apps like Uber. Check out the world’s first e-sim store to make things easier.
Power Bank - It’s easy to spend up to two hours wandering around the ruins. Be sure to pack some extra power to be able to easily charge your devices. You don’t want to get caught in the rain with a dead phone battery!
WHAT TO EXPECT AT PANAMA VIEJO
First things first: Visit the museum on the grounds to get a better understanding of all that Panama Viejo represents.
The exhibits trace history from pre-colonial times through the era of Spanish conquistadors as well as original maps of the settlement and history of pirate activity in the area.
At the very least, it serves a great and informative shelter from the rain!
Once you feel your knowledge is sufficient, then it’s to time to wander amongst the ruins.
Ruins of the Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco looking towards a modern Panama City, Panama
There are set pathways throughout the grounds, but it’s completely acceptable to get up close and personal as long as a sense of respect is maintained. Remember: You don’t want to be the tourist that’s caught damaging a World Heritage Site!
The archaeological complex was fascinating in its own right, but what struck me the most was that the ruins were situated next to a major highway with downtown Panama City as a backdrop, skyscrapers and all.
The contrast between old and new was stark and certainly thought-provoking. It really gave a whole new perspective as to the growth that the area has seen over the centuries, so don’t forget to look beyond what first meets your eyes. See the whole picture and take a moment to process the spectrum of history that stands before you.
Iglesia y Convento de la Concepción is one of the most well-preserved buildings in the complex while the tower of the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción allows visitors the chance climb the stairs to the top and look out over the expansive ruins.
The Iglesia y Convento de la Concepción standing tall at Panama Viejo
Other buildings of note include the Casa Reales (Royal Houses) where the center of the town’s power resided, Cabildo de la Ciudad (City Hall) and Casa Alarcón (Panama Viejo’s largest known private residence).
Although visitors flock to Panama City to learn about the canal and roam the colonial quarters of Casco Viejo, a visit to Panama Viejo is a must-do in order to grasp the deep history of this fascinating place. It’s worth the 15 USD entrance fee!
Have you been to Panama City before? What were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below and until next time, stay safe & happy travels!
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48 Hours in Panama City: Where to stay and what to do!
So you’ve booked your tickets to Panama City and decided to opt for short stopover before continuing on elsewhere. No worries, that’s what I did, too. It was a bit overwhelming at first to plan as much as possible in such a limited amount of time, but this guide is here to help you collect your thoughts and point you in the right direction!
*Please note: all information below, including prices, is reflective of the time of writing (2019). Feel free to reach out with questions and I’ll happily help however I can.
So you’ve booked your tickets to Panama City and decided to opt for a short stopover before continuing on elsewhere.
No worries, that’s what most people do and my girlfriend and I were no different on this last trip.
It was a bit overwhelming at first. The city is HUGE and a lot of our stress was stemming from the inevitable decision of where to base out of in order to see and do the most. But have no fear - the 48 hours guide is here!
WHERE TO STAY
The simple answer: Casco Viejo.
There’s a lot of information on the internet about neighborhoods to avoid in Panama City, and if you look on a map, Casco Viejo appears to be flanked by many, most notably El Chorillo and Calidonia. Many people prefer to stay in the “more secure” financial district, and that’s perfectly fine.
We chose Casco Viejo for a few reasons. To start with, it was easy to get around. There were only a couple of things that we wanted to do across town (Panama Viejo and Miraflores Locks), and those were just a short 20 minute Uber ride away. Everything else was in close proximity to the old town and our average Uber fare was $2.
The second reason was that it gave us the historical experience. Panama City is full of high rises, but by staying in Casco Viejo we surrounded ourselves with the rich history of how the city came to be.
Some people warn that the area is far too touristy. That may be the case during the day, but at night it comes alive as the neighborhood of choice for Panamanians to grab dinner and drinks.
Now that you know where to stay, here are the top 7 things to cram into your 48 hours in Panama City!
PANAMA VIEJO
On the opposite side of town from Casco Viejo, you will find Panama Viejo, the ORIGINAL Panama City.
Yes, Casco Viejo is known as the “Old Town,” however it wasn’t established until Captain Henry Morgan ransacked and pillaged the early settlement in 1671, forcing the citizens to abandon and re-build in modern-day Casco Viejo.
Panama Viejo itself was established in 1519 and is the oldest European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the Americas.
It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and costs just $15 (as of 2019) to get up close and personal with the ruins. Pro tip: It’s a short walk from the ticketing booth to the ruins, but shuttles offer visitors free rides for those interested.
The ruins of Panama Viejo in Panama City, Panama
CERRO ANCON
Cerro Ancon is a short hike within the city limits that provides sweeping views over the city, Casco Viejo, and the Panama Canal.
Just a 10 minute Uber ride from the hotel in Casco Viejo, this short hike up a paved road acts a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city below.
The climb itself only took around 30 minutes. There was a bit of an incline that probably felt a lot harder than it was because of the humidity, but the lush flora and fauna was more than worth the effort. Bring water!
Pro tip: Do the hike in the morning or evening and when you reach the first tower station, go RIGHT. You will have a perfect view of the Miraflores Locks, Bridge of the Americas, and the canal as a whole!
Bridge of the Americas as seen from the top of Cerro Ancon in Panama City, Panama
PANAMA CITY SEASIDE WALK
If you want to go on a people-watching adventure, this is the place to do it. Simply by walking and observing you’ll be able to experience daily life as joggers fly by and families spend time together under the shade of the palm trees.
Need to cool off? Grab a shaved ice and get ready for that oh-so-sweet relief from the heat for just one dollar! Try the passion fruit. You won’t regret it. Pro Tip: This is an ideal spot for night photography of the downtown skyline!
View of downtown Panama City, Panama at night
MIRAFLORES LOCKS
I know there’s already A TON of information out there about visiting Miraflores, so I’ll keep this brief… make sure you go.
A short 20 minute Uber ride outside of the city and you’ll be dropped at the doors of the Miraflores Visitors Center. Inside you'll find a multi-story museum featuring the fascinating history and expansion of the canal, as well as the observation deck to watch ships pass through.
We paid $15 for an adult entrance fee. Non-resident children will cost $10 (ages 6-12). It’s worth spending a few hours learning why Panama City is BOOMING! Pro Tip: Plan your visit according to the ship schedule to ensure that you catch one passing through the locks.
A ship passes through the Miraflores Locks in Panama City, Panama
MERCADO DE MARISCOS
One of my favorite pastimes is wandering the local fish market of a coastal city in a foreign country. The myriad of noise and shouting, the chaos that is so intimidating and yet flows so perfectly, and the joy of finding a creature from the ocean that I've never seen is always a highlight.
The wholesale portion of the Mercado de Mariscos is open from 6:00am-5:00pm each day in the main building, but the outside restaurants are open until 10pm and make for an easy dinner (and cheap) dinner of fresh ceviche and a cold beer! A small cup will cost you $2-$4, depending on the seafood of choice. Pro Tip: Wake up early, walk along the Cinta Costera, and watch the fishing boats unload their catch of the day while the sun rises over the city.
EAT AT KWANG CHOW
I am a self-proclaimed dumpling-obsessed individual. As I continue traversing the globe to places like Japan and South Korea, I feel an unexplainable pull towards their food. As I was preparing for this trip and watching an episode of Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre Foods, I couldn’t help but feel that same pull to Kwang Chow’s.
With the completion of the canal construction in 1914, the world flocked to Panama City and as a result, the first ever Chinatown in the Western Hemisphere was established. Kwang Chow is the last remaining relic from that time. There are no more Asian markets, no trinkets to buy, or even people of Chinese descent wandering the streets.
Despite the changes, Kwang Chow has remained the same. The moment you step inside you are transported back in time to the 1900s and everything stands still. What better way to enjoy a delicious lunch?
CASCO VIEJO
What if I told you there was a neighborhood full of colorful colonial-style buildings and that Panama City isn’t all about finances and high-rises? Interested? Then be sure to explore Casco Viejo!
Wander the streets, discover colonial-era churches and ruins, hop in and out of the picture-perfect cafes, stroll along the city wall where you can shop for souvenirs, and more. Time passes slowly here... be sure to soak it all up!
Wandering the streets of Casco Viejo in Panama City, Panama
BONUS: AMADOR CAUSEWAY
A local favorite, the Amador Causeway connects four small islands and flanks the entrance to the Panama Canal in the Pacific Ocean. Rent bikes, visit the BioMuseum, or simply walk and enjoy the views of passing cargo ships and the city skyline. Pro Tip: Go at the right time of day to watch the sunset and stand in amazement as the city’s lights come alive!
We had a great time in Panama City and whatever you choose to do, I’m sure you will too! Need more information or have questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out in the comments below.
Stay safe & happy travels, my friends!
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