Panama

The Old Town of Panama city, Casco Viejo, is well worth exploring. Some guides suggest that tourists should not walk alone or walk by night through Casco Viejo. Probably as a single woman, I would rather prefer other places by night. BUT we did not encounter any problems - day or night – in walking around Casco Viejo. Frankfurt, Hamburg, Berlin, Vienna, Paris, Nice, London and other European cities, are substantially more dangerous at night in many areas. And the risk of physical assault which often becomes an actual event in public transport in Germany or in Britain is completely unknown in Panama. Trains and buses here are completely safe.

The new president, Ricardo Martinelli also resides in Casco Viejo. Thus, there is a generally reassuring background of good security. Backpackers who have stayed in Hostels in Casco Viejo recommend it. Panama wants to build up a gentle tourism and does everything for the security of the tourists, in contrast to many European towns. The Old Town is a very attractive tourist quarter, with cafés, restaurants, bars, smart hotels, theatres, all kind of artists, small shops and much else. Conservation and restoration in the Old Town is making it an absolutely special tourist destination. But it retains an authentic local quality. Real people live here. Artists from all over the world will enchant, as Saint Tropez started long time ago. The first ones already settled in. But there is still even more to see.