Panama Viejo is different from Casco Viejo. Many travellers think that these are different names of the same place, but it’s not the case, here is the cue. Panama Viejo is a UNESCO certified world heritage site while Casco Viejo is a quaint and romantic old town of sorts. Viejo translates as 'old' in Spanish. In its 152 years of existence, the history of Panama Viejo has been quite eventful. It has witnessed slave trade, slave rebellion, numerous fires and an earthquake. But what took it down was the devastation caused by the pirate attack in 1671. Though never rebuilt, it was relocated and thus boasts its original, slightly irregular layout.

Panama Viejo includes the ruins of the oldest European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the Americas and also includes traces of the first inhabitants of the Isthmus of Panama. Open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, the ruins can be explored in roughly 2 hours. This includes a walk around the ruins as well as a visit to the archaeological park and the museum. You can drive on your own and park the car at the archaeological park as there is ample space available. However, if you don’t wish to drive, a one-way taxi ride would cost around $3.