Walking Tour of Old Panama City or Colonial Panama & Miraflores Locks?

[kac0426]

I'm so torn on which excursion to choose on my Princess partial transit Panama Canal cruise. I know a lot of people recommend the ferry boat tour, but I am more interested in seeing Panama City. But, I'm torn on which Panama City to see.

 

The first option tours Old Panama City ruins, etc. then goes on to Casco Antiguo, the old colonial city. You also see Las Bovedas on this tour.

 

The other option tours Casco Antiguo and then goes to the Miraflores Locks Observation Center.

 

I can't decide if I'd rather see "both" Panama Cities in the first tour or see the observation center in the second. Is it foolish to go on a Panama Canal cruise and do an excursion that doesn't see the canal at all?

[cb at sea]

Silly? No...not if the canal isn't of interest to you! You do the things YOU'RE interested in...there is no "right or wrong"!

 

You say it's a "partial" transit, which means you will be going into the canals....so you'll get an overview...

[BillB48]

While I do believe visit to Miraflores Locks interesting and worthwhile, you really are going to have a great opportunity to see the Locks. That would be on your morning transit through Gatun Locks you will be visiting the largest Locks on the Canal! Seeing a ship pass through the Locks from shore side is great, but you will be on your ship passing through the Locks, which is even better! What I am driving at, based on where I think your primary interest lie, you may be happier with the tour that takes you to the ruins of Old Panama as well as El Casco Viejo (also called Antiguo... same place, I knew it as Viejo first). Las Bovedas are in the Casco Viejo so you will see them regardless of which city tour you opt for.

 

You will just have to plan another Canal cruise so you see it all:)!

[kac0426]

While I do believe visit to Miraflores Locks interesting and worthwhile, you really are going to have a great opportunity to see the Locks. That would be on your morning transit through Gatun Locks you will be visiting the largest Locks on the Canal! Seeing a ship pass through the Locks from shore side is great, but you will be on your ship passing through the Locks, which is even better! What I am driving at, based on where I think your primary interest lie, you may be happier with the tour that takes you to the ruins of Old Panama as well as El Casco Viejo (also called Antiguo... same place, I knew it as Viejo first). Las Bovedas are in the Casco Viejo so you will see them regardless of which city tour you opt for.

 

You will just have to plan another Canal cruise so you see it all:)!

 

Thank you Bill! You are always so helpful. I hope you can clear up something for me because I am getting all the different Panama Cities confused. The shore excursion description is as follows:

 

"The pirate Sir Henry Morgan destroyed the city during a devastating fire on January 28, 1671. Panama City was then rebuilt and formally established two years later in a peninsula located eight kilometers from the original settlement. The new location was chosen to protect its settlers against future pirate attacks. The place where the previously devastated city was located is still in ruins, and has become known as Panama Viejo, or "Old Panama." Relax and take in the sights, sounds, and shopping at this historic location.

 

After visiting Panama Viejo, continue on to Casco Antiguo, the old colonial city. Casco Antiguo displays a mix of architectural styles, which in turn reflect the cultural diversity of the country. Caribbean, Republican, Art Deco, French and Colonial architecture mix in this historic area. Most of Panama City´s main monuments are located in Casco Antiguo. During your walking tour you will see the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Theater among other buildings."

 

So, which is the old Panama City now in ruins and which is the "French quarter style" city? Confused by the references to Viejo and Antiguo. I've googled it and that seems to confuse me even more.

[BillB48]

So, which is the old Panama City now in ruins and which is the "French quarter style" city? Confused by the references to Viejo and Antiguo. I've googled it and that seems to confuse me even more.

 

 

That's an easy one... Panama Viejo or Old Panama is the original city founded in 1519, this is the one that in 1671, Morgan was not the most welcomed visitor;). The city was resettled in 1673 at the more defensible location and is called El Casco Antiguo (or Viejo). Casco Antiguo is the French Quarter style city.

 

Hadn't really thought about it, but maybe Panama Viejo and Casco Viejo (Antiguo) just could be adding to the confusion. Two similar names for two different places not that far apart!

[Keith1010]

kaco426, these are photos from the old city of Panama (Panama Viejo)

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJFgRsE60o0/UQQery6vBBI/AAAAAAAAYZ0/thIjTTlDv24/s1600/DSC_4994.jpg

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_UbvWZXd_tY/UQQesCuXP7I/AAAAAAAAYZ4/K481OWpAtDY/s1600/DSC_4996.jpg

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iH6q-Oi5_wU/UQQe-6ffFXI/AAAAAAAAYac/83Wsobbcuow/s1600/DSC_4999.jpg

 

Good to see this area just to get an appreciation of the history of Panama City.

 

Then here are a few photos of the Colonial City.

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cM9ZJsxl7i4/UQQihGaUaqI/AAAAAAAAYe8/rsE8wczq048/s1600/DSC_5007.jpg

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-che5aQFjpiA/UQQiiHzj41I/AAAAAAAAYfE/Khup1m3IODY/s1600/DSC_5013.jpg

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vs_wtIx4RKM/UQQicJMrg9I/AAAAAAAAYes/yYafSxjdyOg/s1600/DSC_5008.jpg

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NHf9JzGIOwA/UQQkmVgek2I/AAAAAAAAYhY/Sflv7-J49X0/s1600/DSC_5031.jpg

 

I would do this tour to see both these areas.

 

The colonial city has gone through a major restoration and is absolutely beautiful.

 

We've been to Panama City several times and we enjoy the colonial city so much we have returned several times.

 

I have done the tour that includes the Miraflores Locks and do not recommend it. You will see far more and gain a much better knowledge of the canal from just transiting it by cruise ship.

 

Keith

[kac0426]

That's an easy one... Panama Viejo or Old Panama is the original city founded in 1519, this is the one that in 1671, Morgan was not the most welcomed visitor;). The city was resettled in 1673 at the more defensible location and is called El Casco Antiguo (or Viejo). Casco Antiguo is the French Quarter style city.

 

Hadn't really thought about it, but maybe Panama Viejo and Casco Viejo (Antiguo) just could be adding to the confusion. Two similar names for two different places not that far apart!

 

You are absolutely right - it was the common name of "Viejo" that was throwing me off. Also that sometimes Casco Viejo is referred to as Casco Antiguo...I think I was misunderstanding and thinking that they are 2 separate places.

 

I now understand the difference between the 2. Thank you for all the advice and expertise!

[kac0426]

kaco426, these are photos from the old city of Panama (Panama Viejo)

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJFgRsE60o0/UQQery6vBBI/AAAAAAAAYZ0/thIjTTlDv24/s1600/DSC_4994.jpg

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_UbvWZXd_tY/UQQesCuXP7I/AAAAAAAAYZ4/K481OWpAtDY/s1600/DSC_4996.jpg

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iH6q-Oi5_wU/UQQe-6ffFXI/AAAAAAAAYac/83Wsobbcuow/s1600/DSC_4999.jpg

 

Good to see this area just to get an appreciation of the history of Panama City.

 

Then here are a few photos of the Colonial City.

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cM9ZJsxl7i4/UQQihGaUaqI/AAAAAAAAYe8/rsE8wczq048/s1600/DSC_5007.jpg

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-che5aQFjpiA/UQQiiHzj41I/AAAAAAAAYfE/Khup1m3IODY/s1600/DSC_5013.jpg

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vs_wtIx4RKM/UQQicJMrg9I/AAAAAAAAYes/yYafSxjdyOg/s1600/DSC_5008.jpg

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NHf9JzGIOwA/UQQkmVgek2I/AAAAAAAAYhY/Sflv7-J49X0/s1600/DSC_5031.jpg

 

I would do this tour to see both these areas.

 

The colonial city has gone through a major restoration and is absolutely beautiful.

 

We've been to Panama City several times and we enjoy the colonial city so much we have returned several times.

 

I have done the tour that includes the Miraflores Locks and do not recommend it. You will see far more and gain a much better knowledge of the canal from just transiting it by cruise ship.

 

Keith

 

Fantastic photos, Keith! Thank you for sharing. I now feel very confident in my decision to do this tour. Thank you!

[OctoberKat]

I'd definitely opt for the colonial tour of the Casco Viejo; lots of culture, colorful, fun and a few markets with crafts. I was born and raised in Psnama and that's what I'd do,

[Keith1010]

kac0426. You are very welcome.

 

Keith