#1 Walking Tour of Casco Viejo Panama with Lunch included

At the Plaza de Francia you will find Las Bovedas and the Estaban Huerta Promenade. Las Bovedas are the Vaults that surrounded and protected the Old Town from being invaded at the time by pirates at the time. In this area you will have an opportunity to purchase those special souvenirs to take back with you. Here you can purchase leather goods, Molas and handcrafts from artisans.

The Arco Chato has been considered one of the wonders of architecture, since, due to its incomparable engineering and its mystique, stories about its construction and details highlighting its history were formed. A majestic jewel guards the monumental complex of San Felipe, built in 1678. The structure remained intact for several centuries, withstanding two significant fires, which occurred on February 2, 1737, and March 21, 1756. But, the arch managed to save itself from the devastating sinister that threatened to collapse it, and it remained standing for almost two and a half centuries. On November 7, 2003, the structures no longer resisted, due to inclement weather and lack of maintenance and monitoring that led to the collapse of the historical heritage of humanity.

Iglesia de San Jose was built soon after the first Spanish settlement in the 16th century, with its main attraction being the famous 'Altar de Oro' (Golden Altar) which is made of pure gold. The Golden Altar was miraculously saved after the sacking of Panamá Viejo by British Pirate Captain Henry Morgan.

According to local legend, when word came of the pirate’s impending attack, a priest attempted to disguise the altar by painting it black. The priest told Morgan that the famous altar had been stolen by another pirate, and even convinced Morgan to donate handsomely for its replacement. Morgan is said to have told the priest, ‘I don’t know why, but I think you are more of a pirate than I am.’

Palacio de Las Garzas (Herons' Palace) is the Presidential Palace and Residence of Panama during the mandate. Its name comes from the herons that were brought in 1922 by then President Belisario Porras at the suggestion of friend and famed Panamanian poet Ricardo Miro.

The Panama Interoceanic Canal Museum building was built in 1874, as the Grand Hôtel by Alsatian George Loew. It was later bought by Count Ferdinand de Lesseps for the Universal Company of the Interoceanic Canal; The New Canal Company was later sold to the United States with the concession for the construction of the Panama Canal. In 1915, it was purchased by Dr. Belisario Porras, President of Panama, to become the Posts and Telegraphs (Plaque is located at the entrance with this name). In 1996, the Canal Museum Board of Trustees rehabbed the building and in 1997 became the Panama Interoceanic Canal Museum.

The building has eleven exhibition rooms and an audio guide system, that tells the story of one of the greatest engineering feats from the French efforts to the construction by the United States. It reflects a life adopted by citizens in the Canal Zone.

After the walking tour of Casco Antiguo and the Canal Museum, we will head for lunch at the amazing Tantalo Hotel Kitchen. See sample dishes or visit https://www.tantalohotel.com for more information about their menu.

Note: Please be informed that this tour is a substitute for #4 above when available. MUMO is still in the process of reopening after the Pandemic.

The Mola Museum (MUMO) renders an ode to The Mola, a hand-made textile that forms part of the traditional women's clothing of the indigenous Guna people from Panama. The Mola is hand-made using a reverse appliqué technique that includes various layers of different color fabrics, where the layers are then turned under and sewn down. Molas are often used by designers on their hats, purses, and clothing, after authorization from the Guna General Congress.