What's it like to live in the Panama City, Panama area of Casco Viejo?
Patrizia Pinzon - Arco Properties
What is it like to live in Casco Viejo? For those who like human scale towns, the Casco Viejo district of Panama City, Panama, is simply the best combination, because it has that "small town" feeling, but yet it is minutes away from the crazy "big city". So you don´t have to choose between one and the other, you can have it all.
During the week, it is a bit hectic. My morning routine includes walking the...
What is it like to live in Casco Viejo? For those who like human scale towns, the Casco Viejo district of Panama City, Panama, is simply the best combination, because it has that "small town" feeling, but yet it is minutes away from the crazy "big city". So you don´t have to choose between one and the other, you can have it all.
During the week, it is a bit hectic. My morning routine includes walking the dog to plazas and beaches or run to Ancon Hill if I have time. Either that, or the Cinta Costera path, it all depends on how much time I have before hitting the office. Three times a week I combine it with going to the gym, which is located in 4th Street (TLGym). There I do crossfit, boxing, jumping rope, weight lifting. After work, when the sun goes down a little bit, Casco becomes my favorite place. You can stroll around the plazas, meet random people, there is always something going on. Go to Las Bovedas, you`ll see children and families with dogs running around. Weekends are also mellow, unless there is a cultural activity (like a concert or something). Because the government is so bad at announcing things, you pretty much bump into them. Sometimes you wish you knew in advance, but it is always cool to bump into an activity.
For Christmas there are always concerts and events around the plazas.
And I`m not saying Casco is not chaotic by any means. We have our share of chaos! like anywhere in Panama City, frankly. But as I tell everyone, I just prefer this chaos over the other one. Why? Because I like being in my "pueblito" where I can walk everywhere, and at some point the construction chaos (which is the most bothersome of all) will go away. Weekends are hectic, and by weekends I mean Thursday (ladies night!), Fridays and Saturdays. Those are the big days. And while there is an influx of people from the city beyond normal, at least businesses are working together to try to minimize issues like parking problems and noise.
Another thing I love from living here is that small gestures make big differences. You can volunteer at local NGO`s and help women, children (and by extension husbands/ partners! jajaja) to have a better life. You can volunteer from small to big, from painting an artistic garbage can or planting a pot to clear a street, to donating to programs that effectively take women out of poverty forever.
It would be hard for me to tell you all about how it is to live here. But you will find that "Casconians" are very protective of it, we are die hards. If you are passionate like us and like what you are reading, already considering Panama as an option to live, then give Casco a shot.
Posted May 13, 2013
Lourdes Townshend
CASCO VIEJO...and the City of Panamá
Casco Viejo is a unique place. If you have visited San Juan, in Puerto Rico, you will find Casco Viejo to be similar. Casco Viejo has narrow brick streets, beautiful colonial balconies, and the beautiful Presidential Palace (where you can visit on a guided tour at no charge, prior reservations required). Casco Viejo is a small town, surrounded by the ocean, with all kinds of restaurants and...
CASCO VIEJO...and the City of Panamá
Casco Viejo is a unique place. If you have visited San Juan, in Puerto Rico, you will find Casco Viejo to be similar. Casco Viejo has narrow brick streets, beautiful colonial balconies, and the beautiful Presidential Palace (where you can visit on a guided tour at no charge, prior reservations required). Casco Viejo is a small town, surrounded by the ocean, with all kinds of restaurants and picturesque arts and crafts stores.
At the end of Casco Viejo, by the Pacific Ocean, you can walk by the "Bóvedas", which is magnificent old fort used by Spaniards against pirates. Is also a landmark used by our grandparents, as a place to meet young people, or walk with someone "special" (with chaperones). In addition to this, it has an excellent view of the city of Panamá.
Close by is the recently inaugurated "Cinta Costera #3", which is an absolutely beautiful boulevard by the bay. You can either drive, walk or go biking, ending in the Bridge of the Américas, at the entrance of the Panamá Canal.
As you move forward a few kilometers, you can go to the causeway. This is another beautiful place also surrounded by the ocean on both sides. There are bike and skate rentals, a cruise terminal, several restaurants, hotels and many other amenities.
´The city of Panamá is a very cosmopolitan city, and you will find anything and everything...like a mini New York. For all the tastes and budgets.
There are many neighborhoods in the city that are very attractive to visitors, like San Francisco, with the only major community park; Altos del Golf; Cangrejo; El Carmen; Punta Paitilla and Punta Pacífica are some of the better known, surrounded by several very modern malls.
You may also want to use the recently inaugurated modern Metro..(subway) that ends at the very well known Albrook Mall. Price (after June 1, 2014) will be $0.35 (and you need to purchase a card at the station).
To answer the question: What is like to live in the city of Panamá?".... it´s wonderful .
Posted June 1, 2014
Rey Bazán
Casco Viejo is not for everybody. Right now, in the specific and limited area, Casco Viejo still does not offer all the amenities many people would like.
Also, you might live next to a wooden structure with people who are not like you and many people do not like that.
Casco Viejo is for those who like the colonial appeal, lifestyle, and the colonial architecture.
Casco Viejo is not for everybody. Right now, in the specific and limited area, Casco Viejo still does not offer all the amenities many people would like.
Also, you might live next to a wooden structure with people who are not like you and many people do not like that.
Casco Viejo is for those who like the colonial appeal, lifestyle, and the colonial architecture.
Posted October 11, 2014
David De Franco Levi - DEFRANCORP- Business Consultants
Casco Viejo is a mix between Barcelona and Silicon Valley and it has a very Bohemian feel to it. There is a big entrepreneurial vibe and it is an absolutely spectacular place. Casco Viejo is full of security because the president lives there and the equivalent of the White House is there. Every president lives in Casco Viejo.
There is a lot of partying that goes on in Casco Viejo. Right now...
Casco Viejo is a mix between Barcelona and Silicon Valley and it has a very Bohemian feel to it. There is a big entrepreneurial vibe and it is an absolutely spectacular place. Casco Viejo is full of security because the president lives there and the equivalent of the White House is there. Every president lives in Casco Viejo.
There is a lot of partying that goes on in Casco Viejo. Right now it is the hot spot for going out at night. There is very little crime in Casco Viejo, so it is a very safe place.
The architecture in Casco Viejo is very colonial, from the poor slums (5-minute drive away) to the nicest parts of Casco Viejo, which could have a 5-million dollar home. They have old buildings that are very well-built. Casco Viejo is a really great place to invest in because it is being revitalized. There are a lot of incentives to do business in Casco Viejo and to invest in the revitalization of it.
(Casco Viejo colonial building lit up at night, pictured.)
Posted June 29, 2015