Dancing Treats at Casco Viejo, Panama

Casco Viejo is the intersection of Panama City’s past and future. This colonial district has now become one of the largest cultural cornerstones of the city.  This place has also become a home to the presidential palace. The bullet scarred buildings and cobble stoned streets, gives this place a very obvious colonial look.

About ten years ago, the scenario over here started picking up quite fast and heading towards progress. The Spanish colonial houses which were covered in moss were later designated as a UNESCO world Heritage site. The site was listed by UNESCO in the year nineteen hundred and ninety. This apparently contributed greatly to the spread of the glassy office towers here in the city.  In the year two thousand and five, there was a special tourist police force that was established which was responsible for searching for and containing the outburst of muggings that used to take place here.

The government now, helps the country so that the real estate prices here are quite cheap. This place also has amazing architectural beauty.

Apparently Casco Viejo seems to become a place for the south beach styled platform of cafes, hotels and nightclubs.

Casco Viejo is a romantic version of Havana. The buildings here are dilapidated and made of stones, the cathedrals here are massive.  The many balconies here have bougainvilleas that pour generously over the railings.

There are many narrow alleyways which have a skeleton of what once used to be buildings. . You will see the bright blue light from the pacific pouring into here through the many hollow windows and tree that grow out of the roofless shells and even the worn out chimneys.

The buildings are in the phase of being restored. Most of these buildings now are being redeveloped into tall luxury apartment buildings. Also there are nightclubs and hotels that were once old broken down buildings.

Although this place is already very popular amongst the locals, the expatriates, artists, musicians and of course the tourists as well.

The canal house is one of the most famous boutique hotels over here. This hotel has and old world wrap around styled veranda. The brick walls are unpainted with sleek hardwood floors and plush linens and beds. The rooms are decorated with palm plants that are placed graciously at all corners.

The Karavan Gallery is one of the most famous art galleries over here. This place has an impressive collection of Panama folk art; this apparently has beautiful and impressive wooden sculptures. The gallery is studded with jewellery. The jewellery is displayed in a special place with brightly lit focus lights making this place one of the finest modern art museums in the region.

Once the sun sets, Casco just comes alive. The streets have been rid of most of the crimes that used to take place before.  You have many local and foreigners who come to the plaza Bolivar and even he many nightclubs here like Plateau. This place is known for its famous jazz music and the refreshing mojitos that are served here.

If you make a trip to the Indigo Lounge and Bazaar, you will find the Buddha Bar inspired nightclubs that are partly Moroccan Influenced lounge the open air patio here makes for a memorable experience.

The Ego Café which is also located at the Plaza Bolivar is surrounded by food vendors that sell the local favorite which crunchy mango in peppery sauce.