Panama City Highlights and Historic Old Town Walk

Panama Viejo – UNESCO World Heritage Site (1-Hour Guided Visit)

Discover the origins of Panama City at Panama Viejo, the UNESCO World Heritage Site where the first European city on the Pacific coast of the Americas was founded in 1519.

During this one-hour guided visit, you will explore the evocative ruins of former churches, convents, and religious complexes that once defined early colonial life. Your guide will share cultural and historical insights into the city’s development, its strategic importance, and the events that shaped its legacy.

The experience includes the ruins of the first Jesuit college in Panama and a climb to the iconic Bell Tower, offering panoramic views that contrast the ancient ruins with modern Panama City.

The visit concludes at the Panama Viejo Museum, with time to explore exhibits and purchase souvenirs.

Pandora Building (El Tronillo) – Scenic Photo Stop

After visiting Panama Viejo, the tour continues with a brief stop in front of the striking Pandora Building, also known as El Tronillo, located in Panama City’s modern area near the banking and financial district. This is an exterior stop only; no interior visit is included.

This contemporary tower is admired for its bold and impressive architecture, making it a popular urban landmark. From this designated photo stop, you’ll have the opportunity to capture iconic images that highlight the contrast between Panama’s modern skyline and its historical roots experienced earlier in the tour.

This stop is designed exclusively as a photographic viewpoint, offering a refined visual moment and a distinctive image of Panama City’s modern identity.

Vasco Núñez de Balboa Monument

After the photo stop at Pandora Tower (El Tornillo), the tour continues with a drive-by along one of Panama City’s historic avenues, passing in front of the Monument to Vasco Núñez de Balboa.

As we approach the monument, your guide provides a concise historical overview of Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the Spanish explorer credited with the first European sighting of the Pacific Ocean from the Americas, a defining moment in Panama’s and world history. The monument commemorates his legacy and Panama’s strategic role in early global exploration.

The monument is located across from Santo Tomás Hospital, the oldest public hospital in Panama and a nationally recognized historical heritage site. Your guide will briefly highlight its importance in the country’s social and medical history.

This segment of the tour offers historical context through guided narration while in transit, seamlessly connecting Panama’s colonial past with its modern urban landscape.

Cinta Costera 3 – Scenic Drive with Panoramic Views

After passing the Monument to Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the tour continues along Cinta Costera 3, one of Panama City’s most scenic coastal roadways.

As we drive along this modern waterfront boulevard, you’ll enjoy a striking contrast between Panama City’s contemporary skyline on one side and the historic districts on the other, offering a unique visual perspective of the city’s evolution through time. This route provides excellent photo opportunities and a deeper appreciation of how modern Panama has developed alongside its historical foundations.

The drive continues in the direction of the Amador Causeway, seamlessly connecting the city’s financial district, historic neighborhoods, and coastal landscapes in one continuous panoramic experience.

Panama Sign Photo Stop – Isla Flamenco (Amador Causeway)

Enjoy a scenic 30-minute photo stop at the iconic Panama Sign, located on Isla Flamenco along the Amador Causeway, one of the most picturesque waterfront areas of Panama City.

This popular viewpoint offers stunning panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, the Panama City skyline, and the entrance area of the Panama Canal, creating a perfect setting for memorable photographs. The colorful Panama sign has become one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks and a must-have photo opportunity for visitors.

During this stop, guests may also take advantage of a quick visit to Amphora Duty Free Shop, ideal for last-minute shopping, souvenirs, perfumes, or local specialties, all within the scheduled stop time.

While you enjoy the views and surroundings, your guide will provide light orientation about the Amador Causeway and its transformation from a former military zone into a vibrant recreational area.

El Chorrillo District – Historic Drive-Through with Context

The tour continues through El Chorrillo, one of Panama City’s most historically significant neighborhoods, closely linked to the Panama Canal era and the country’s modern political history.

Developed during the construction of the canal, El Chorrillo became home to generations of workers and built a strong cultural identity rooted in community and resilience. As we drive through the area, your guide provides historical context about its social importance and national relevance.

El Chorrillo was also the location of the former headquarters of the Panama Defense Forces, led by Omar Torrijos and later Manuel Antonio Noriega. Much of the neighborhood was destroyed during the U.S. military invasion of December 1989, a defining moment in Panama’s recent history.

Plaza Herrera & The Old City Walls (1-hour walk – start point)
We begin our Casco Viejo walk at the foot of Panama City’s historic walls, where the Old Quarter once stood protected facing the bay. Plaza Herrera—named in honor of General Tomás Herrera, a key figure in Panama’s early nation-building—sets the tone for a deeper, more authentic Old Town experience. Surrounded by restored colonial-era buildings, galleries, and local cafés, this area tells the story of resilience: from the city’s defensive past to Casco’s modern cultural revival. Your guide connects the landmarks, the architecture, and the people behind them, before we continue into the heart of Casco for its grand plazas, churches, and iconic viewpoints.

San José Church – The Golden Altar & Hidden Treasures

Our walk continues to the historic San José Church, home to one of Panama’s most remarkable artistic and religious treasures: the legendary Golden Altar (Altar de Oro).

Your guide will share the fascinating story behind this gilded Baroque altar, famous for surviving the destruction of the original Panama City and symbolizing faith, resilience, and artistic mastery. Often described as a hidden jewel of Casco Viejo, the altar remains one of the most admired religious artworks in the country.

Beyond the Golden Altar, the church also houses an impressive giant Nativity scene, a lesser-known treasure that surprises many visitors with its scale, craftsmanship, and detail. This unique display reflects Panama’s deep-rooted religious traditions and adds an unexpected cultural dimension to the visit.

This stop offers a refined moment of art, history, and spirituality within the heart of Casco Viejo.

Ruins of the Jesuit Convent – Pass By

As we pass by the Ruins of the Jesuit Convent, your guide highlights the historical importance of the Jesuit Order in Panama’s educational, religious, and intellectual development during the colonial era. Founded in the 17th century, this complex once played a central role in shaping academic life within the walled city.

Though now in ruins, the remaining walls and arches reflect the scale and influence of the Jesuits before their expulsion from Spanish territories. This brief pass-by offers insight into Casco Viejo’s layered past and the institutions that helped define its cultural foundations.

Arco Chato (Flat Arch) – Pass By

We continue past the iconic Arco Chato, one of Casco Viejo’s most symbolic landmarks. This modest yet powerful structure is closely associated with Panama’s separation from Colombia in 1903, as its architectural resilience helped demonstrate the city’s seismic stability during key political negotiations.

Today, the Arco Chato stands as a quiet witness to decisive moments in Panama’s national history, blending architecture, politics, and identity into a single enduring symbol.

Calle de los Sombreros (The Hat Street)

Our walk continues along Calle de los Sombreros, also known as The Hat Street, one of Casco Viejo’s most photogenic and creative corners. This charming street is decorated with colorful hanging hats, creating a vibrant visual display and one of the best photo opportunities in the Old Town.

The installation reflects Panama’s cultural creativity and playful urban spirit, blending traditional elements with contemporary artistic expression. Surrounded by historic buildings, cafés, and galleries, this street has become a favorite stop for visitors looking to capture iconic images while experiencing the lively atmosphere of Casco Viejo.

Plaza de Francia & Historic Walls

The tour reaches Plaza de Francia, one of Casco Viejo’s most scenic and historically meaningful locations. Built atop the original city walls, this plaza honors the French engineers who attempted the first construction of the Panama Canal in the late 19th century.

From this elevated viewpoint, visitors enjoy sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, the Causeway, and the modern skyline. The surrounding walls and monuments reflect Panama’s global connections and engineering ambitions, making this a powerful and memorable highlight of the walk.

Plaza de la Independencia (Cathedral Square) – Tour Finale

The tour concludes at Plaza de la Independencia, also known as Cathedral Square, the historic heart of Casco Viejo. Surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral and key civic buildings, this plaza marks the site where Panama declared its independence from Colombia in 1903.

Rich in symbolism and daily life, the square represents the political, religious, and social center of the Old City. Ending here provides a meaningful close to the journey, connecting Panama’s colonial origins with its national identity.