Is the Panama City, Panama area of Casco Viejo safe?
Bill Hamilton - Bill Hamilton
Casco Viejo, a neighborhood of Panama City, Panama is safe if you stay in the tourist areas. There are many police patrolling as the presidential palace is located there. As within any area it is always advisable to conceal any jewels that you may be wearing. The area between the Casco Viejo and th
e fish market can be a little risky. Other than that it is safe.
e fish market can be a little risky. Other than that it is safe. Casco Viejo, a neighborhood of Panama City, Panama is safe if you stay in the tourist areas. There are many police patrolling as the presidential palace is located there. As within any area it is always advisable to conceal any jewels that you may be wearing. The area between the Casco Viejo and the fish market can be a little risky. Other than that it is safe.
e fish market can be a little risky. Other than that it is safe. Posted March 31, 2013
Patrizia Pinzon - Arco Properties
I remember when back in 2005 police would actually stop you at Plaza Herrera if they felt you were a tourist and would tell you "not to be there" because "it wasn´t safe". Today the Casco Viejo quarter of Panama City, Panama is the very axis of tourism, with places like Barlovento and restaurants like Puerta de Tierra and Clementinas making a name for themselves. Now people won´t even think twice about it, they walk back and forth, the...
I remember when back in 2005 police would actually stop you at Plaza Herrera if they felt you were a tourist and would tell you "not to be there" because "it wasn´t safe". Today the Casco Viejo quarter of Panama City, Panama is the very axis of tourism, with places like Barlovento and restaurants like Puerta de Tierra and Clementinas making a name for themselves. Now people won´t even think twice about it, they walk back and forth, the route including now places like the recently restored Teatro Amador in Santa Ana (where nobody used to go before). So the borders keep changing and expanding. I don´t classify Casco into the "tourism" area, because that would imply that we have "the rest" area. This is just Casco. Would I go into Santa Ana at 12 at night wearing diamonds? No. But I would definitely wear nice stuff to go to Clementinas and Barlovento, safe as it can be, and they are both located on 11th street. Even by Terraplen, where Habana Panama and La Rana Dorada is, now has Capital Bistro. It used to be considered "red area" and is now the number one spot to go and dance salsa. Next year, when all the hotels in Plaza Herrera open, the change will be substantial. Exciting times ahead!
Posted April 25, 2013
Reginald Flagg - Magnolia Inn
I would put Casco Viejo, Panama City, Panama, in the safest category. We have walked the streets at all hours of the day and night. Nothing will happen to you. However you do need to maintain your vigilance. Don't put on your biggest diamond earrings and flash cash around. Just like anywhere else in the world, you need to be careful.
I would put Casco Viejo, Panama City, Panama, in the safest category. We have walked the streets at all hours of the day and night. Nothing will happen to you. However you do need to maintain your vigilance. Don't put on your biggest diamond earrings and flash cash around. Just like anywhere else in the world, you need to be careful.
Posted May 2, 2013
walter kawano - Bocas del Toro Realty Services, Inc.
Casco Viejo / Casco Antiguo, Panama City, Panama is very safe because today the headquarters for the Tourism Police of Panama is located in this neighborhood.
Casco Viejo / Casco Antiguo, Panama City, Panama is very safe because today the headquarters for the Tourism Police of Panama is located in this neighborhood.
Posted July 3, 2013
Miriam Ortiz - Casco Antiguo Spanish School
Casco Antiguo / Casco Viejo is one of the safest places to be in Panama City. It´s a very touristic area of town and you find police officers at every corner. I work here and I never feel like I have to watch my purse or anything like that. Even at night, it´s very safe. There are more and more bars opening up and security is always there.
Casco Antiguo / Casco Viejo is one of the safest places to be in Panama City. It´s a very touristic area of town and you find police officers at every corner. I work here and I never feel like I have to watch my purse or anything like that. Even at night, it´s very safe. There are more and more bars opening up and security is always there.
Posted July 25, 2013
Miriam Ortiz - Casco Antiguo Spanish School
Casco Viejo is a really safe town to take long walks, visit the museums or take beautiful photographs. It's probably the oldest town in Panama City, since the 1600's until today. You can visit different cafes, stores and our white house located inside Casco.
Casco Viejo is a really safe town to take long walks, visit the museums or take beautiful photographs. It's probably the oldest town in Panama City, since the 1600's until today. You can visit different cafes, stores and our white house located inside Casco.
Posted November 15, 2013
Kevin Garcia
Any place that an expat or tourist would go in Casco Viejo, Panama is safe because Casco Viejo is a famous, well known and important tourist destination. Casco Viejo cannot risk developing a reputation of being unsafe because it would cut down tourism, which is one of the main sources of income there. In addition, the Presidential Palace is located in Casco Viejo. The President spends a lot of time there, which also adds to the security in the area.
Any place that an expat or tourist would go in Casco Viejo, Panama is safe because Casco Viejo is a famous, well known and important tourist destination. Casco Viejo cannot risk developing a reputation of being unsafe because it would cut down tourism, which is one of the main sources of income there. In addition, the Presidential Palace is located in Casco Viejo. The President spends a lot of time there, which also adds to the security in the area.
(Ciobblestone street in Casco Viejo, Panama City, Panama, pictured.)
Posted October 15, 2015
Maria Suarez
A long time ago, Casco Viejo was not considered safe at all because a lot of the buildings here used to be abandoned and not taken care of. Several people started living in the empty buildings and gangs started to form there but around 15 years ago, they started fixing Casco Viejo and it started to boom. They went on to develop Casco Viejo. The people who live there knew the value of their properties so they started restoring them and a lot of people also bought properties in Casco...
A long time ago, Casco Viejo was not considered safe at all because a lot of the buildings here used to be abandoned and not taken care of. Several people started living in the empty buildings and gangs started to form there but around 15 years ago, they started fixing Casco Viejo and it started to boom. They went on to develop Casco Viejo. The people who live there knew the value of their properties so they started restoring them and a lot of people also bought properties in Casco Viejo, which they also restored. The government offices that occupy some of the buildings in Casco Viejo also did restorations so real estate prices started going up.
The presidential police have also started protecting Casco Viejo. Some of the gangs were evacuated from the buildings they had occupied so it became safer.
There is a very nice hotel nearby called American Trade Hotel. That building was considered very dangerous around 10 years ago. You cannot even come close to it because it was occupied by a very dangerous gang. Now, the government took out the gang that occupied that building. Somebody bought the building, restored it, and it is now a very beautiful hotel.
Some of the gang members who used to live there have gone to rehab and have changed lives that now, they are doing the tours here in Casco Viejo, which is perfect because they can share the other face of Casco Viejo based on their experiences. They will tell you how the gangs were and what they used to do but they are good people now.
The last two presidents of Panama have beefed up the security in Casco Viejo. There are more policemen assigned in this area of Panama, who are going around Casco Viejo. We also have community police that goes to each business and gather information and check if everything is going fine. They also give their hotline numbers just in case anybody needs to contact them. There is definitely police visibility in all the streets of Casco Viejo.
Posted February 1, 2016