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Casco Viejo is a popular neighborhood in Panama City, attracting both locals and tourists. Its proximity to key attractions like the Panama Canal and the Cinta Costera makes it a desirable destination.
The area features historic buildings that are frequently refurbished, contributing to its charm.
However, the cost of living in Casco Viejo is higher compared to other parts of Panama City. This neighborhood serves as the cultural, culinary, and nightlife hub of the city, offering a vibrant atmosphere for visitors and residents alike.
Casco Viejo is the second oldest part of Panama City, Panama. It was founded by Antonio Fernández de Córdoba in 1673 after the original city of Panama was destroyed by the pirate Henry Morgan.
Casco Viejo is the heart, culture, food center, and nightlife of Panama City.
In short, if you are looking to live in an older part of town in Panama City, then Casco Viejo is the place for you. It is full of history, culture, and fun things to do and explore.
Here is everything you need to know about Casco Viejo, Panama, in 2025.
Reviewed By Kathleen Peddicord
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
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Casco Viejo is a very popular neighborhood in Panama City, not only amongst the locals but also for tourists. Since it is close to fun activities such as the Panama Canal, the Cinta Costera, and the city’s modern district, Casco Viejo, Panama, is a sought-after destination.
Since the buildings are so old, it is constantly being refurbished, and there are so many things to do, the cost of living in Casco Viejo is a little more expensive than other areas in Panama City and Panama.
However, it is still not as expensive as some of the more luxurious parts of Panama.
A single person living in Casco Viejo can most likely expect to pay at least US$1,000 per month. A family of four would end up paying somewhere around US$2,500 or US$3,000 per month.
Your main monthly expenses will include rent, utilities, and groceries. Since you will be living in Casco Viejo, you can expect to pay a reasonable amount on entertainment and nightlife.
But, if you are looking to buy real estate in Casco Viejo, it can get pricey. Current real estate prices in Casco Viejo range from around US$200,000 to upwards of US$1 million.
Just looking to rent and enjoy life in the neighborhood? Then prices get more reasonable. A single person would be able to find a place between US$900 to US$1,500 per month.
A family of four would end up paying more for something bigger than one bedroom, with an expected range of US$1,500 to US$2,500.
Monthly expenses with basic utilities (gas, electric, water, etc.) will set you back around US$100 per month.
You’ll find plenty of great options for internet in Panama (Tigo, Cable & Wireless, Wipet, etc.). But, be sure to do your research before choosing your provider.
Most importantly, a good internet plan will cost US$50 per month.
The last main monthly expense is groceries. You can find a great selection of groceries in Casco Viejo. However, you’ll probably want to drive to bigger grocery stores in Panama City.
A single person can get by on US$200 to US$300 per month for groceries. A family of four would end up paying anywhere between US$100 to US$200 per month.
Keep in mind that you are in Casco Viejo, Panama, so budget for monthly entertainment. There are amazing restaurants, both for local delicacies and international gastronomy.
Costs vary and go from US$10 to US$30 per person for a meal. Also, you can find cheaper more local places that are great to try.
Overall, the cost of living in Casco Viejo is higher than other places in Panama, but still extremely affordable on a budget.
Although a night out can cost anywhere from US$20 to US$100, you would be living in one of the trendiest and more interesting neighborhoods of Panama City.
| Expense | Monthly Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage | - | Not included here as too variable. |
| HOA Fees | US$0.80 to US$3 per square meter. | Highly variable. |
| Property Taxes | 1.75% to 2.1% | |
| Transportation | US$102.80 | Highly variable: Two gas refills a month: US$52.80 ($2.20 per gallon) Insurance: $50 per month. |
| Gas (domestic) | US$200 | All utilities combined: gas, electricity (with air conditioning), and water. |
| Electricity | - | Included in gas price. |
| Water | - | Included in gas price. |
| Cell Phone | US$35 | Including 500 minutes, unlimited data, and flexible contract with Cable & Wireless. |
| Internet | US$60 | Including Wi-Fi, HD TV (173 channels), and landline with 200 minutes with Cable & Wireless. |
| Cable TV | - | Included in internet price. |
| Household Help | US$90 | Three 3-hour cleaner visits a week. |
| Entertainment | US$538 | Eating out twice a week: US$392. Drinks twice a week: US$128. Movie theatre trip twice a month: US$18 (US$4.50 per ticket). |
| Groceries | US$260 | Basic items for a couple, with shopping trips four times a month. |
| Gym Membership | US$75 | |
| Medical Appointment | US$30 | |
| TOTAL | US$1,605.80 | HOA fees charged at US$2.15 a month for a 100-square-meter property. Property taxes not included. |
| Expense | Monthly Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | US$1,800 | Two-bedroom apartment in neighborhood center. |
| Transportation | US$102.80 | Highly variable: Two gas refills a month: US$52.80 ($2.20 per gallon) Insurance: $50 per month. |
| Gas | US$200 | All utilities combined: gas, electricity (with air conditioning), and water. |
| Electricity | - | Included in gas price. |
| Water | - | Included in gas price. |
| Cell Phone | US$35 | Including 500 minutes, unlimited data, and flexible contract with Cable & Wireless. |
| Internet | US$65 | Including Wi-Fi, HD TV (173 channels), and landline with 200 minutes with Cable & Wireless. |
| Cable TV | - | Included in internet price. |
| Household Help | US$90 | Three 3-hour cleaner visits a week. |
| Entertainment | US$538 | Eating out twice a week: US$392. Drinks twice a week: US$128. Movie theatre trip twice a month: US$18 (US$4.50 per ticket). |
| Groceries | US$260 | Basic items for a couple, with shopping trips four times a month. |
| Gym Membership | US$75 | |
| Medical Appointment | US$30 | |
| Total | US$3,190.80 |
| Expense | Monthly Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | US$1,200 | One-bedroom apartment, fringe of neighborhood. |
| Transportation | US$75 | Using the metro, bus, and occasional taxis. |
| Gas | US$150 | Includes all utilities: electricity (not using air conditioning often), gas, and water. |
| Electricity | - | Included in gas price. |
| Water | - | Included in gas price. |
| Cell Phone | US$15 | Pay as you go. |
| Internet | - | |
| Cable TV | - | |
| Entertainment | US$178 | Eating out twice a week at inexpensive restaurants (US$120), drinks twice a week (US$40, domestic beer only), movie theatre trip once a month (US$18, US$4.50 per ticket). |
| Groceries | US$120 | Basic items for a couple, with shopping trips at discount stores twice a month. |
| TOTAL | US$1,738 |
Casco Viejo, Panama, boasts a great number of fun things to do. There are trendy bars and nightclubs, restaurants, and there is plenty of historical architecture to discover, which makes it a great place to walk around.
The things to do in Casco Viejo are always changing, but activities are consistently available.
You will find great views, great food, welcoming people, amazing nightlife, and lots of museums and entertainment venues. Casco Viejo truly delights whoever visit, whether it be a local Panamanian, or a visiting foreigner.
Here are some of the main attractions of Casco Viejo.
Old buildings, churches, and plazas to be found in Casco Viejo. The streets in the area are teeming with colonial architecture, French influences, and a tropical Mediterranean atmosphere.
Be sure to visit the plazas (Plaza de Francia, Plaza Mayor, Plaza Herrera, etc.), the churches (Church of Saint Joseph, Soul Church, Church of the Mercy, etc.), and some of the notable buildings (the President’s place of residence called Palacio de las Garzas, the French Embassy, or las Bóvedas, which are old dungeons in the fort).
If you are looking for an in-depth look at the history and construction of the famous Panama Canal, then this is the place you are looking for.
The Panama Canal Museum in Casco Viejo offers great insight into the multiple attempts at building the canal, what went wrong, how it came to be, and how Panama ended up taking back the rights over it from the United States.
Casco Viejo is filled with a vibrant history and has been a cultural hub for the area for centuries. And, if you want to learn more book a walking tour of Casco Viejo and get a better idea of how the town came to be and what it has gone through to become the cultural and nightlife heart of Panama City.
And, if you don’t enjoy going on group tours then you can just take a walk and discover Casco Viejo, Panama, yourself at a more flexible pace.
While Casco Viejo is generally full of life and there is always something going on, it is also an ideal place to relax and enjoy the weather and ocean views.
Casco Viejo has restaurants on the plazas or near the water. It’s the perfect spot for people watching, and relaxing in the park with a book or a refreshing drink.
The night life in Casco Viejo is the place to be on any given night at the end of the week: Plenty of trendy bars, hip night clubs, and amazing dinner options.
Casco Viejo, Panama, is a great place to shop for souvenirs and trinkets. You can find fun goodies, local handcrafts made from Indigenous tribes such as the Guna.
Casco Viejo is a historic neighborhood in Panama City, and while it may be attractive for touristic reasons, it’s also a great place to retire and live.
Retiring to Casco Viejo can be a great way to spend your golden years, as you are surrounded by ever-growing attractions and cultural destinations.
If you are thinking of retiring to Casco Viejo, we recommend owning a car or a bicycle. You can easily get to bigger grocery stores by bicycle and still be living in Casco Viejo, the heart of nightlife and growing culture of Panama City.
Getting to Casco Viejo is the same as getting to Panama City. You fly into the international airport of Tocumen, take a 20 to 45 minute drive (depending on traffic) to the city and head to Casco Viejo.
A taxi ride from the Tocumen airport to Casco Viejo should cost around US$25.
In short, moving to Casco Viejo is easy enough once the decision is made.
Getting your belongings to Panama is a simple affair, especially if you pack light. And, you can even bring some pets if you go through the proper bureaucracy.
Above all, if the plan is to move to Casco Viejo full time, getting a visa or residency in Panama is a process that is relatively easy.
In addition, if you are eligible for the Pensionado Visa, you can get a fair number of discounts on day to day things such as transportation, movies, restaurants, etc.
Being safe in Casco Viejo is the same as being safe anywhere else in the world. While Casco Viejo is generally safe, take precautions.
When walking down the street, be aware of your surroundings, keep your belongings close, try and travel in pairs. At night stay in well-lit areas and do not walk around alone.
Use ride share services. Uber and Cabify are the main ride share applications that are used in Panama. And, if you are using the bus or a taxi, only use well-known companies.
Learning Spanish will also help with general transactions and avoiding miscommunications. Plus, people speak English in this part of Panama.
The weather in Casco Viejo, Panama, is warm all year round since it is a tropical setting with two defined seasons, rainy and dry.
The rainy season in Panama runs from May to November, and the dry season ends up being from December to April.
Most importantly, the average temperature throughout the year ranges from 72°F to 90°F.
During the rainy season in Panama City expect heavy thunderstorms and plenty of clouds. However, rain showers don’t last very long most of the time, even if they can be frequent.
If you are looking for the best time to visit Casco Viejo, Panama, then the summer is when most tourists go (with June being the busiest month for tourists in Panama).
Otherwise, if you visit towards the end of fall or beginning of winter, you will find things to be much cheaper and there will be less of a touristy crowd.
Reviewed By Kathleen Peddicord
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
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Casco Viejo, Panama City, is a great place to visit and is definitely worth the trip. It can be great fun to discover and learn about the region, Panama, and Casco Viejo as an old town and bustling new neighborhood.
Casco Viejo, Panama City, is known for the story behind its creation, its great restaurants, gorgeous and historical architecture, and its invigorating night life. And, if you are looking to visit or move to somewhere old, with a rich history, and plenty of life, then you should visit Casco Viejo and consider moving full time.
Retiring to Casco Viejo, Panama City, is a great idea. Not only is Casco Viejo being added to all the time and new establishments are always popping up, but being in Panama City means that you have access to all the fun the city itself has to offer. On top of that, you can visit more of Panama and also other nearby countries given Panama’s convenient location in the middle of the Americas.
Americans should move to Casco Viejo, Panama City, because of the expat communities that have set themselves up there. You will find plenty of Americans and other foreigners getting drinks or food in Casco Viejo. Some of the expats also live in Casco Viejo full time and have their own businesses or entrepreneurships in the area.
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