Is it a photo or a painting? That’s the question you’ll ask yourself as you turn the pages slowly in photographer Ken Milburn’s newest book, Panama City’s Casco Viejo, Fast Rising Bohemian Community. For fun, try guessing the actual location of the photos, some are easy, others will take awhile, and there will be one that will take an expert to figure out. The majority of the photos were taken with a technique called HDR processing which expands the visible tonal range in a photographic image so it more closely resembles all the shades of brightness and color we are able to see with our eyes.

I don`t know why I didn`t realize this before, but a big percentage of Casco`s entrepreneurs are in their thirties or early fourties. From internet businesses to restaurants and bars, Casco Viejo isn`t "viejo" (old) at all! Which is interesting, because it means the Casco offers an opportunity to make business happen.

Raising the bar of art galleries in Casco Viejo in comes Carlos Weil with his well known gallery Weil Art. From erotic art on original Panama Canal Bonds to interesting antiques and easy to travel (but meaningful) souvenirs.

Travel guides are a great way to orient yourself when visiting a country for the first time. It takes a lot to update the booklet, but we are happy Bradt Travel Guide took the effort and found Canal House, Casco´s tropical bed and breakfast. Check what they had to say!

2009 was an "interesting" year for business and the market in general. How did the financial crisis affected Casco Viejo? How was 2009 in terms of Real Estate, investment, community? How is 2010 looking like?

Some say Panama is Hong Kong meeting Costa Rica. Panama´s depth is there for the curious soul, but is also a place with a guilt free laid back culture that allows you to disconnect from the world if that is your choice. White beaches or history? why choose?

Roy Gumpel has a very good eye and a sense of authenticity. He has also 36 years in the photography business and an outgoing personality. Visited Panama for a job last year and fell in love with Casco Viejo, so now he is back! He is organizing a photography workshop called "For the Rest of Us" which will start January 16th (so you can have great photos of the Jazz Fest!).

Home delivery Italian Style! Going green with their pizza home delivery, Caffe Per Due starts the bicycle spark in Casco Viejo.

Direct flight from Panama to Amsterdam: ten hours (and a half) later I had passed from full tropical weather to Amsterdam´s chilli autum, and eating dutch pancakes wrapped in four layers of clothing. Being from Panama, for me, cold is an exotic destination. But really, While I can take a plane at night and be in cold weather the next morning eating pancakes, anyone in Amsterdam can do the same and be on a boat at the Panama Canal lake in the afternoon watching monkeys or even hiking at one of our 15 minute away national parks and discover what the rainforest is all about.

"The neighborhood has received its share of hype over the past few years. Travel writers have mused that it might become the next South Beach. Real estate investors, thoroughly enchanted by its romantic balconies festooned with colorful flowers, have called it one of the hemisphere's best-kept secrets. So when a working trip to Panama City materialized, I jumped at the chance to stay in the Casco Viejo." Read the Full Article

The news isn´t that Usain Bolt won the Berlin competitions. He is a triple Olympic champion. The news is that he was forced to break his own record and the world record in order to beat Panamanian Alonso Edward (time 19.81) , a name hardly known until now.

Starting this June 4th you will value an exhibition of art and poetry created by Marta Sanchez and his friends.

By means of Executive Decree No. 26 of March 2, 2009, the Government of Panama significantly reduced from US$615,000 to US$260,000 the bank time deposit at the National Bank of Panama required to qualify for a Second Passport.

"Raindrops are falling on my head".... but it doesn´t stop the carnival! Panama is entering into the rainny season, hated by many but highly appreciated by all nature lovers. Check out the event calendar for the month: art, music, theatre and ecological trips at Casco Antiguo´s nearby jungles and beyond!

With health coverage droping in countries like the United States it makes sense for people to look for other options. It seems that Panama is almost 50% cheaper than the States and quality isn´t compromised.

Obama is lifting finally parts of the Cuban embargo. While you are thinking on traveling to Cuba, read this first....

After a long absence, Air France - KLM celebrated on March 30th it´s first "comeback" anniversary with an important number of passengers to the region. A multi destination regional strategy might be "coming soon" as Central American Ministers of Tourism meet in Panama in the next few months...

Times Magazine article featuring Panama and Casco Viejo! flash news!

"Imagine if New Orleans had ignored the French Quarter for a century" .... "Now the neighborhood vibrates with the rough energy of transition. Local blasts reaggeton beats into the street while nearby chauffered SUV´s drop off an international set at .... " This is from the latest GQ magazine Travel section... run and get it! as they don´t have an online version yet.

Jeremy Schwartz from the Star - Telegraph visits the Casco and shares his experience on this Havana- like part of Panama.

Banco General, one of the biggest Panamanian banks announced 58% growth for 2008. What will 2009 bring in terms of world wide economy is hard to tell. But it is nevertheless something to consider seriously, and if fundamentals are good, give it a try.

"Panama is up-and-coming like never before, quickly becoming the destination of Central America. And there's little wonder: Panama's beautiful Caribbean coastline remains undiscovered in many parts, fiercely protected by the Kuna tribe who shun modernisation, while Panama City is a destination in its own right with skyscrapers juxtaposed with the old town of Casco Viejo". This is the online quote from Conde Nast Traveler´s Top 20 Destinations for 2009. Learn more!

Canal House gets mention at USA Today!

Summer is everyone´s favorite season. Blue sky, full suntan, ocean breeze... check out this romantic picture taken from one of our short term rental apartments.

Obama´s election was cheered by everyone. However, there is so much stuff to fix at home, so many sacrifices to be made... so much hard work. What about Panama? Casco Viejo? what are the advantages, the choices?

Two interesting articles have come out about Panama related to the latest James Bond film Quantum of Solace: The Telegraph "Property in Panama... Wherever they laid their hats" by Teresa Manchan and Five James Bond Escapes by Oliver Pug (The Independent). Check their quotes on Casco Viejo and interviews to residents and owners!

High season has officially arrived: breeze days, more sun than rain and cruise ship passengers walking around Casco Antiguo. But if you are not into "window shopping" Panama by bus and would like a more local (and budget) trip, here are some interesting options!

I first visited Havana Vieja in Cuba around 1996. It was a very interesting trip from which I learned a lot about our common roots, despite our different current political lives. Culture and architecture reflects our spirits...

Ever since the slavery trade times, African traditional religions have been concealed by their followers under Cristianity... for obvious reasons. Today, many, many years later, the reminiscents are still there. And in Casco Viejo, very much alive!

Panama is a very romantic place if you put it together right. How to organize a romantic and interesting getaway? This combination of history, ethnic experience, beach and mountain is my personal favorite!

"A Cultural Cornerstone" is today´s New York Times travel article about Casco Viejo, Panama, featuring our favorite hotel Canal House Panama as editor´s pick and businesses like Karavan Gallery and Indigo Restaurant. I love it when people visit, but the best for me is to live here...

KLM and Air France flights to Panama keep increasing. In a world where most air companies are actually doing the opposite, this is highly unusual. Learn why!

If you are planning to travel to Panama and exploring real estate will probably be part of the fun, this is the people you’ll need to meet:

Ke Sopa? Priti! …. No, you are not in some weird and lost island in the Pacific, you are in Panama, where Caribbean culture meets… well… everybody. Like chameleons, we love copying words and accents, especially English, since it sounds cool. So here is the basic phrases you need to take with you while traveling to Panama, especially in the city and in Casco Viejo, where you’ll probably use them the most as some of the local “bien cuidaos” are Afroantillian descendants and still speak English.

A few days ago I got an email from a journalist at The Guardian, as they´ve found somehow my postings on La Casona in Casco Viejo. It was quite exciting, this is my first collaboration with international press! Here is the article:

Travel like a local with The Guardian. Surfing the web as I usually do, I found this article on Panama´s nightlife at The Guardian, featuring Casco Viejo. And not only Casco Viejo, but my favorite spots: Baños Publicos and La Casona! Check it out here!

The Fish Market rocks. It is at the very entrance of Casco Viejo, just off Avenida Balboa. A white and light blue building with the Japanese flag and the Panamanian flag on the top of the building (the new fish market installations where a donation of the Japanese government). As you approach, the characteristic smell of fresh fish will hit you: don´t get discouraged.

Multiple websites and adds mention Panama as Paradise. Is it really? what about Casco Viejo?

Do you know what is SENACYT? find out! they are launching their 4th Technology and Innovation Awards with an amazing budget of 8 million dollars to distribute between the winners!

While the Panama Canal Expansion has gotten all the national and international media attention, oil companies like Occidental Petroleum (OXY) and Qatar Petroleum have entered almost through the back door...

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From time to time, I like refreshing some information that has been useful to my readers as where to stay and what to do in Casco Viejo is constantly changing:

When Patrizia and Casey planned their recent wedding ceremony...

Casco Viejo, the jewel of Panama is also a UNESCO Heritage Trust site.

The Canal House Panama is at Yahoo´s cover story! don´t miss the article, has a good review on what to do and where to go in Panama

Thomas was one of our first tenants in Casa Padrós, at the back of the ex music Conservatorio building, in Plaza Herrera. Originally from Holland, Thomas has travelled all around and spent quite some time in Panama all the way from Bocas del Toro to Casco Antiguo taking fantastic pictures. We´ll be featuring some of his work in my blog

Netherland´s most celebrated artist, Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (better known as Rembrandt) will visit Panama and will stay in Casco Viejo from April 17th to June 8th. But he isn´t the only Dutch in town...

Our friend Mary sent us this interesting article. I smiled at the phrase "the secret is out" since it´s been out for a while now, but a good word out is always welcomed!

You read our newsletter and our blog and you think you like the place, but still not sure if Casco is right for you? This short list can help you out.

Since Casco Antiguo doesn´t have formal hotels yet, finding accomodation might take some planning ahead. Check our short list so you can be ready for your next trip.

Christmas is here! A group of international and panamanian artists will be exposing their angels throughout the Casco. Again, don´t miss the big banner on the Dance Festival, from the 10 to the 16th!

Panama, Casco Antiguo
Casco Viejo, San Felipe

  Up until now, the two only options to stay in Casco Antiguo where: a) backpacking b) staying in a private apartment. Now you can have your own mansion! A true tropical oasis for those looking for a sophisticated, intimate experience. The Canal House has opened it´s doors! Go check it out at: http://www.canalhousepanama.com  If you are planning to visit Panama soon (for work or not) this place is a must. It`s the type of place where, if you are comming for business and need to entertain people, they can arrange a private chef to organize your cocktail. And if you are traveling for pleasure, this is the perfect place to impress your "better half"!  Check out some great reviews at: http://www.interpanama.com/en/news/103/