Legends of Casco Viejo Tour: Hidden Gems with Panama Vibes Tours





Description
Exploring Casco Viejo’s secrets is a must-do when visiting Panama City! On this ¨Legends of Casco Viejo¨ tour, a passionate local guide will lead you through the iconic cobblestone streets of this historic district. Discover hidden gems, admire colonial architecture, and be captivated by stories of love, intrigue, and legendary figures that shaped Panama’s past. Want insider tips? We’ve got you covered, from the best local eats to vibrant nightlife recommendations. Rain or shine, we ensure your comfort with our umbrellas! Choose to meet us at the starting point or enjoy the convenience of hotel pick-up and drop-off from any location in Panama City.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Regardless of the option you choose when booking this tour, either starting at a meeting point or with the picking up option at your hotel or accommodation in Panama City Downtown. Our guide will welcome you and applying all the biosecurity protocols will guide you to this incredible time full of amazing surprises!
Casco Viejo (Old Town), also known as San Felipe, is the historic district of Panama City. We will walk around this part of the city visiting the main sites of this area and learning some history by the hand of our expert tour guide.
Departure Point
Enjoy a market of artisan products, traditional hats, dresses, souvenirs and discover the most incredible murals with graffiti in Panama City
Pass by this church destroyed by fire in the year 1854 and was completely renovated only in the twentieth century
The oldest Panaminian Restaurant in Town
Pass by this 17th-century church, one of the few structures whose original stone façade was brought from Old Panama after the 1671 attack.
Pass By
Pass by this historic church famous for its Golden Altar, a baroque masterpiece that survived the 1671 raid on Old Panama.
Pass by this historic church famous for its Golden Altar, a baroque masterpiece that survived the 1671 raid on Old Panama.
Government Ministry
Old Convent of Santo Domingo that preserves the remains of the most emblematic architectural piece of the Old Town at the end of the 18th century. Believe it or not, this same piece of architecture EL ARCO CHATO (Flat Arch), was the key during the Panama Canal negotiations between the United States and France.
Plaza Carlos V
The National Theater was conceived by the Italian architect Genaro Ruggieri in a neoclassical style. It was inaugurated on October 1, 1908. On its facade there are two sculptures that represent the muses of music and lyrics. We also found six medallions, which honor Wagner, Shakespeare, Moliere, Rossini, Cervantes and Lope de Vega.
The Monumental Ensemble of Las Bóvedas or Las Bóvedas is the name commonly known as the set of works that form the walls that surround the Plaza de Francia. The monumental complex consists of seven vaulted spaces that formed the system city defensive.
The Palace of Las Garzas, is the seat of the President of the Republic of Panama. It also houses the Ministry of the Presidency and the Institutional Protection Service
The Plaza de la Independencia (Cathedral Square) is the main public space of the Old Town. It was the space chosen by Panamanians to celebrate the great landmarks of the city's history, such as the independence of Spain and later of Colombia. The Plaza is surrounded by the main historical buildings such as the Cathedral, the Municipal Palace and the Panama Canal Museum. During the summer months she dresses in pink by the flowers of the trees that surround her.
This small square is surrounded by beautiful old buildings, as well as restaurants and bars. The original name of the square was San Francisco, but in 1883 it was decided to change it in honor of Venezuelan General Simón Bolívar. In the center of the square you will see a sculpture of Bolivar standing under a great Condor with the legend 'The nations of America to the liberator Simón Bolívar.
You have reached the end of this incredible journey. Before, the Spanish military headquarters, then it belonged to the Colombian armed forces and prisons in our Colombian era, and finally in our republican era, at the beginning of the twentieth century, our nation honors the French effort for its gallantry in being the initiators of such a difficult project. As you walk on the walls facing the sea, enjoying the delicious breeze from the Pacific Ocean and delighting in shopping for handicrafts exhibited by the artisans themselves, we will end this incredible tour. You can decide if you want to return to our starting point, to take you by car to your hotel in the city or simply stay to taste the gastronomy of the area.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Tour with Pickup and Return / Tour with One-Way Pickup For hotel or accommodation pickups, your driver will meet you in the lobby at the selected time. For cruise travelers arriving at Amador Cruise Terminal, your driver will be waiting at the main exit with a sign that says "Panama Vibes." You’ll see them as soon as you exit through the door. There will be several drivers, but the one with the sign is yours. Important for Meet Us at the Starting Point: This option does not include pickup service. You will need to head to the designated starting point at the Monument of Tomas Herrera in Casco Viejo.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(2,157)
Had a great experience exploring Casco Viejo, Panama! Our tour guide was very informative, knowledgeable, and full of great tips and recommendations. He made the history and culture of the area really interesting and enjoyable. Would definitely recommend! 🇵🇦
It was a very informative and educational tour. Our tour guide Alex, was well informed, accommodating and enthusiastic. I would encourage anyone visiting Panama to do this tour.
Very interesting tour. The churches are so elaborate, and there are relics. We had a great tour despite the unrelenting rain.
Fantastic tour. Very informative and entertaining. I learned so much about the history of Panama. Raining the day of our tour, however, the tour was tailored for the rain and umbrellas provided. Highly recommended!
Alex was a wonderful guide. Personable and incredibly knowledgeable. We learned far more about Casco Viejo than we ever thought we would. Highly recommend this tour!
This was a great opening tour to me and my friends week long trip to Panama. I always enjoy learning about the culture of wherever I visit, and we learned a lot. Our guide Alex was full of information and a great conversationilst. I highly recommend if you're coming to see the city.
Alex generously shared his childhood stories of growing up in a very different Casco Vieja, bringing a delightful personal twist to his extensive historical knowledge of the area. The tour was thoroughly entertaining and educational, just what we were looking for!
Very knowledgeable leader. Was from the area. Was on time. Made sure people were safe. Would request him again
The tour with Alex was cool. He’s from the area and very knowledgeable so you’ll learn a lot. I would recommend it to start your time in Casco Viejo.
Alex was a great tour guide. He shared many insights about Casco Viejo that made the tour very engaging and interesting. As a senior citizen he did an excellent job at ensuring the pace was good for everyone in the group.



