If you have just arrived to PTY, this guide is for you. Lets go to Casco Viejo ( old town ) in Panama City, Panama.
Getting Around Casco Viejo
First, what you do is you call an Uber. Do not call a taxi. Trust me, it’s much easier. I’ve heard horrific stories with taxis in Panama City.
Now be prepared. As soon as you open those doors to escape the airport, you will be hit with a humidity wall. Welcome to Panama City.
Okay, so you jumped in an Uber. It’s anywhere from $12 to $20, depending on how busy it is. It takes roughly about 30 minutes from the airport to Casco Viejo.
Coffee
With all that travel, you’re going to need a very good coffee. Now. Welcome to Sisu. Sisu is from the Lamuthus family, the coffee estate in the Boquete post HERE
Sisu doesn’t have all sorts of flavors and this and that. They just make a really damn good coffee.
After you’ve had a delicious coffee from Sisu, you’re going to want to walk around. It’s best to walk around in the morning because it’s not so hot. Also, there’s a lot less tourists around, so you’re able to see a lot.
Weather in Panama City, Panama
In Casco Viejo right now it is about 8am, it’s about 28 degrees and about 80 to 85% humidity.
Sightseeing
So if you love walking, you’re going to do a lot of walking. In your 24 hour experience, you don’t really need a gym.
Good thing, because there isn’t a gym in Casco Viejo.
From character buildings to restorations, there is a ton of things to see and look at in Casco Viejo. There is the noisy area which I’m in right now. You can see and hear a lot of background noise.
And then as you get into the quiet zone is what they call it where the president is. I don’t think the President’s there right now, but where the president is, it’s kind of the quiet zone. There’s a lot of churches and buildings and lots of things to see and do.
Breakfast
With all that walking, you’re going to work up a sweat, and you’re gonna need a really good breakfast. And I have the perfect spot you have to check out.
Welcome to Mahalo Snack Shack.
It is right along the main strip, kind of hidden, but you walk back and it opens up to a really nice garden patio. I’ve taken my parents there and they have all agreed that it is the best breakfast they’ve had in a very long time. Yeah, enough said. It’s really Good breakfast.
Another option is I usually go to the Selina Hostel, that’s where I am right now. I have their acai bowl. It’s only $8 and it’s a lot less than in other cities.
Lunch
So there’s a lot of different lunch options. But since you’re in Panama City, you might want to try Panamanian food. So there’s a place called El Nacional. It is right in a really tourist area and everything in it is typical or typical Panamanian food. Costs are also quite low. I had a great lunch for $15.
Where to Stay in Casco Viejo
Now you can continue to walk around, but as the day goes on the weather gets hotter and a lot of people rest by a pool or in their air conditioned hotels. So maybe it’s time to check into the hotel.
Now there’s a lot of different options. There’s the Selina, it’s six floors, I’m on the rooftop right now. There’s a pool on the roof, there’s also a rooftop restaurant, there’s a rooftop nightclub, and then there’s a nightclub down in the basement as well. All six floors of living quarters are all in the middle with a cleared out middle.
In the middle a lot of people do yoga and connect with one another in a really peaceful environment. It ranges from $22 for a dorm room to $60 a day for your own private experience.
Or you can get into the hotels.
Now there is a lot of beautiful hotels in Casco Viejo. There’s La Compañia there’s Sofitel and there’s the American Trade Hotel, just to name a few.
Dinner options
The same owners as Mahalo Snack shack also own a few other restaurants in Casco Viejo, including Mahalo, La Barbara & a new one that hasn’t been released yet. ( I have the inside scoop)
They serve a lot of great food, great prices and amazing cocktails.
A great way to spend the afternoon into the evening.
Okay, so now you’re getting into the evening. Now the sun always goes down at the same time here. It’s roughly about between 6 and 6:30, so it does get dark rather early.
Nightlife
Now rooftop lounges are a thing in Casco Viejo. I’m on one right now.
In a 3 block radius there is Lazo-tea, Tantalo, Selina Rooftop, and Casa Casco.
Who doesn’t like open air, and having amazing cocktails, food, and meeting new people. You’re definitely going to bump into somebody, have a great conversation, and this will just carry you on into the night.
Now it’s time to hit the pillow.
And there you have it. 24 hours in Casco Viejo