Aerial view of Casco Viejo at low tide showing historic seawall and exposed Pacific Ocean seabed

Back Home to my Casco Viejo morning walk 

I Flew Four Hours Away And Brought Home More Than I Took

This past week, I left Casco for a few days — flew to Georgia to see my son graduate. Proud doesn’t even begin to cover it. But when I got back, I did what I always do to feel grounded again: I took a Casco Viejo morning walk — and in that quiet stroll, everything I love about this place came rushing back.

But when I landed back in Panama on Friday, something stirred. I didn’t even unpack. This morning, I grabbed my camera and headed out for a Casco Viejo morning walk, slipping out early to experience the sights and sounds. The streets glisten under the soft tropical rain. No agenda. No rush. Just that quiet pull that Casco Viejo always seems to have when you’ve been away, making a morning walk in Casco Viejo utterly irresistible.

Coffee cup on the counter at SISU Café

Casco Viejo Morning Walk Begins with Coffee at SISU

Like clockwork, I headed to SISU. That first cup back in Casco? It’s different. It’s not just the roast — it’s the setting. The way the light cuts through the front windows. The silence between sips. SISU’s not just a coffee shop. It’s a slow re-entry into local time. Into rhythm. Into you. I stood there for a while. No one rushed me. That’s the beauty of mornings here.

Iglesia de la Merced in early morning light

Casco Viejo Morning Walk from Avenida B to Iglesia de la Merced

After that, I drifted up Avenida B, took a left, and found myself at Iglesia de la Merced. My usual spot. My grounding spot. It was early, so the shadow of the church stretched wide. Cool, quiet, welcoming. I stood under the arch — the same place I’ve stood countless times — and just breathed.

You don’t need a sermon here. Instead, just slow down and listen. The stones will speak — because they’ve seen love, war, rain, and time. Over the years, they’ve absorbed every drop of it. So, as you begin your Casco Viejo morning walk, stay open. Along the way, you might catch a whisper of that history. Even now, it lingers in the cracks and corners. And as you move forward, every step deepens your connection — ultimately pulling you back into the rhythm of this old neighborhood.

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Equestrian statue of General Tomás Herrera in Plaza Herrera, Casco Viejo, Panama

Plaza Herrera: Statues Stand Still, but Casco Moves

Plaza Herrera was already alive. The statue of General Tomás Herrera had its crowd — tourists with cameras, guides mid-speech. But beyond that noise, there was something more familiar. Locals crossing the square. Tour guides I know giving me the look: “Hey, where’ve you been?” That’s what I love about this place — the layers. It’s not just history written in plaques. It’s history that walks, talks, and checks in on you — a perfect early stop for day-trippers discovering Casco one plaza at a time.

Aerial view of Casco Viejo at low tide showing historic seawall and exposed Pacific Ocean seabed

Casco Viejo Morning Walk to the Promenade and Panama Canal

From there, I made my way to the promenade. That stretch of sea that opens up wide and reminds you that Casco isn’t just a neighborhood — it’s a front-row seat to the world. And wouldn’t you know it? A ship was gliding through the Canal. No noise. No flash. Just movement. Steady and real. In that moment, I realized: this is why I come back. This is why I never stay away too long.

Entrance to Pepe Café in Casco Viejo with glowing archway, chalkboard sign, and diners seated inside.
Prosciutto sandwich on focaccia bread served at Pepe Café in Casco Viejo

Lunch at Pepe: Italian Comfort, Casco Style

By late morning, I had one thing on my mind: Pepe. That focaccia. That espresso. That tiny corner café that somehow makes me feel like I’m in Rome, even though I’m three blocks from the sea. If you’ve never been, go. It’s not a restaurant — it’s a reset.

Final Thought: The Best Part of Leaving Is Returning

Coming home to Casco reminds me that the real stories aren’t in headlines — they’re in the hands that keep the neighborhood alive. The barista opening before dawn, the doorman sweeping his corner without being asked, the neighbors stopping to chat instead of rush. It’s a rhythm of care and continuity locals quietly doing good behind the scenes  the heartbeat that gives Casco its lasting charm. When you live here long enough, you realize that’s the true luxury: belonging to a place that gives back as much as it welcomes you home.

🌟 Thanks for joining me on this walk. Casco Viejo has a way of pulling you back — and mornings like this remind me why I call it home. 🛎️ Own a business in Casco? Let’s connect — I walk these streets daily, and I’d love to feature you.

🧭 Out and about with James.

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