The Lost Paradise of Panamá

After Panama Viejo was burned down by pirates, the village was moved to this area, the second oldest part of Panama. The best way to see it is by foot. Go with a guide, if possible. You’ll pass through some crowded shopping areas before reaching the San Felipe District where Casco Viejo juts out into the Bay of Panama. As in any unfamiliar surroundings, be careful with your valuables. This is my favorite place in all of Panama City. Casco Viejo is a part of Panama City, yet, separated from it. It’s one of the oldest towns still in use on the Pacific Coast of the Americas. When the French first arrived to make their attempt at building the canal, Casco Viejo is where the aristocracy stayed, and many French still live. The National Theatre is here, and the Presidential Palace. The Palace is unique in that it has an open courtyard where dozens of grey herons drop in to rest.

As you walk through the tiny streets, a collage of architecture will fill your eyes. There is Spanish, overlapped with French, and over the years a Caribbean style melted in. Many of the buildings are older than the United States. Everywhere are ornate balconies that overlook the winding cobblestone streets. The balconies are typically cluttered, mostly with planters. Geraniums and bougainvillea vines crawl over the stonework or climb up wrought iron bars that cover the windows. Clotheslines span the streets. Every few blocks you’ll find a small plaza lined with benches and men talking about politics, or more importantly, baseball. And finally, you’ll reach the great seawall and walk along its wide sidewalk near the French Plaza, and see carved statues and tributes dedicated to the designers and workers of the Canal.