Panama City Historic District

Panama City is the capital of Panama state and is in the middle of the country, its city center is modern with skyscrapers but it also has a very beautiful colonial district. The old town is the by the sea and from Cerro Ancon hill you can see how it's divided - with well organized blocks that are easy to navigate and with the sea as a good reference point. The Malecon is the street that follows the sea for most of what the colonial neighborhood calls los bóvedas (vaults). You can appreciate the beautifully colored buildings that have two or three floors - somewhat higher than other colonial cities.

The Casco Viejo of Panama is difficult to classify because you can see a building in perfect condition, and the next second, another in ruins. Apparently the old colonial city was abandoned early last century in favor of other areas. However, in recent years there has been an effort to reclaim this part of town, and there you can find shops, restaurants, bars, etc.. It is a fairly pleasant walk, but at night you have to keep an eye out and get away from the busy areas. It reminds me a bit like a "mini" version of Old Havana (no classic cars or images of Che, of course) but in a much worse condition.

The distinctive air of something far way but present.