Where to Stay
When people ask me where to stay in Casco Viejo also known as San Felipe, I tell them the truth it depends entirely on who you are, how you travel, and what you want to feel when you wake up in the morning. Because Casco Viejo isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s layered, lived-in, and diverse in the best possible way for finding the best Casco Viejo hotels.
Here, 400-year-old walls sit beside rooftop pools. You’ll find hostels that hum with travelers swapping stories, and hotels where the sheets whisper quiet luxury. What unites them all is a sense of place that slow rhythm of old Panama that never quite hurries.
As someone who’s worked in hotels most of my life from the Ritz-Carlton and Hyatt Regency to Convention Centers in Dallas and Palm Springs, I’ve learned that a great stay isn’t about chandeliers or check-ins. It’s about how you’re made to feel the moment you arrive. And after living in Casco Viejo since 2008, I can tell you: this neighborhood understands hospitality in its bones.
A District That Welcomes Every Kind of Traveler
Casco Viejo, is a world within a few walkable blocks. You’ll see it in the contrast a stylish rooftop bar on one corner, a quiet family guesthouse on the next. This mix is what makes the area special. It’s not chaos; it’s character.
Whether you’re a solo traveler staying in a budget-friendly Airbnb, a couple booking one of the best Casco Viejo hotels for a romantic weekend, or a family looking for a spacious boutique suite, there’s something here for every lifestyle. Diversity is our strength not as a slogan, but as a lived experience.
Every traveler can find their rhythm here. You can dine under chandeliers one night and grab street empanadas the next morning. That’s the real Casco Viejo.
rated with Experience Six Hotels that Define Casco Viejo’s Spirit
The six hotels below aren’t paid listings they’re chosen with common sense, experience, and care. Each one represents a different kind of traveler, from grand heritage hotels to smaller, soulful stays. I’ve walked their corridors, met their teams, and seen how guests are treated. And while I take great pride in featuring them here, each listing also carries an unspoken understanding: the promise of consistency and genuine hospitality. If that promise ever fades, I’ll quietly remove the listing. Integrity matters more than presence.
The American Trade Hotel
The American Trade Hotel is one of the best Casco Viejo hotels for travelers who want character, history, and energy in the same stay. It’s elegant without being stiff. You feel it the moment you walk into the lobby high ceilings, tile, conversation. People meet here. People return here. Between the café, the dining room, and the cultural programming, this hotel still sets the tone for a certain kind of Casco Viejo lifestyle.
Hotel La Compañía by Hyatt
Hotel La Compañía by Hyatt is a true destination hotel and an easy recommendation for families, business travelers, and anyone who wants full service and consistency. The property is built across three historic wings Spanish Colonial, French Colonial, and American and you can feel those layers in the rooms, the restaurants, even the way the hallways tell the story of the building. This is one of the best Casco Viejo hotels if you want history, dining, and comfort under one roof.
Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo
Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo is polished and well-positioned, offering a calm coastal setting and the service style Accor is known for. It’s a beautiful property, but travelers familiar with other Sofitel Legends may find it doesn’t quite reach the same level of finish or amenities there’s no full-service spa, and the waterfront views can vary with the tide. Still, it carries a Forbes mention, thoughtful staff, and elegant design touches that make it a comfortable, well-managed stay within Panama’s historic district.
Las Clementina’s
Las Clementinas is romantic, warm, and quietly iconic. This little corner building has been loved by locals for years, and there’s a reason. The rooms feel like a private apartment in a historic neighborhood, not a generic hotel box. You walk downstairs and you’re home plants, light, the Mahalo restaurant, and that easy Casco flow. One of the best Casco Viejo hotels for couples who want charm and personality.
Central Hotel Casco Viejo
Central Hotel sits right on Cathedral Plaza, and that location does a lot of the talking for you. You step outside and you are immediately in the picture that most people imagine when they think of Casco Viejo. The hotel itself is restored, graceful, and traditional in the best way. If you’re the type who wants to wake up, open the balcony doors, and feel like you’re living in a historic city instead of visiting it — this is the address.
Amarla Boutique Hotel – Quiet Zone
Amarla is discreet, personal, and intentionally low-profile. This is for the traveler who does not want to be “on display.” Think more private house than hotel. Soft lighting, tailored service, and an atmosphere that says “you’re safe here, you’re known here.” It’s one of the best Casco Viejo hotels for guests who prefer quiet luxury and being understood without having to explain themselves.
Fast Facts About Staying in Casco Viejo
- Casco Viejo is Panama’s UNESCO-listed historic quarter, just 25 minutes from Tocumen International Airport.
- The district offers over 50 options for stay, from luxury hotels to boutique guesthouses.
- Rooftops, fine dining, and live music are part of the local rhythm.
- All six featured hotels are within walking distance of major landmarks such as Plaza de la Independencia, the Canal Museum, and the Metropolitan Cathedral.
- Each property embodies authenticity, history, and service the hallmarks of the best Casco Viejo hotels.
Q&A Planning Your Stay in Casco Viejo
A: Personality and location. The best hotels here aren’t chains they’re experiences. They blend design, service, and local soul in ways that feel personal and memorable.
A: Yes, absolutely. Like any historic district, it’s smart to stay aware, but the area is well-patrolled and filled with residents, restaurants, and travelers late into the night.
A: That’s the beauty of it. Casco Viejo covers about 40 acres, so everything cafés, museums, rooftops, and the seawall is within a ten-minute stroll.
A: Definitely. From small hostels and guesthouses to locally managed Airbnbs, Casco has excellent options for every budget all sharing the same charm and proximity to the action.
A: The dry season runs from mid-December to April, offering blue skies and open-air dining on every corner. The rainy season (May–November) has its charm too fewer crowds, lush views, and that cozy rhythm of life locals actually prefer.
A: Expect authenticity over uniformity. You’ll find restored colonial buildings, thoughtful service, and rooftop views that make every evening feel cinematic. Whether you’re in a boutique suite or a classic hotel, Casco Viejo rewards curiosity.
Closing Thoughts A Citywide Welcome
I’ve spent my life in hospitality and my evenings walking these cobbled streets. Casco Viejo isn’t just where I live it’s a living example of what happens when history and hospitality meet. Whether you’re staying in a five-star suite or a modest guesthouse, you’ll feel that same heartbeat of welcome.
Of course, Panama City has excellent hotels throughout the city. If you’re loyal to a brand or have points with a major chain, there’s absolutely no reason to change your travel habits. You’ll find familiar comfort just a short ride away Casco Viejo is only five to ten minutes from downtown. My goal isn’t to compete with the city hotels; it’s to make sure every visitor feels comfortable and confident exploring this remarkable part of Panama.
Shared Standards, Shared Purpose
We’re all in the same boat, rowing in the same direction welcoming guests, creating experiences, and showcasing what makes this country special. My recommendations are exactly that: suggestions, drawn from years of experience and genuine respect for what great hospitality feels like.
The best Casco Viejo hotels don’t compete with each other; they complete the neighborhood. Each one adds a note to the melody that makes this place unforgettable.
And when you’ve unpacked and stepped outside, you’ll understand what I mean. The scent of coffee drifts from a corner café, music echoes from a distant balcony, and the sea air reminds you that you’re standing in one of the most storied quarters in the Americas.
So take your time. Explore. Let Casco reveal itself slowly. You’ll find plenty of inspiration in the blogs I’ve written on CascoViejo360.com from rooftops to restaurants to hidden courtyards. Every story, like every stay, is part of the same journey.
Local Note: Must Read
Please do not book accommodations beyond 11th Street. That area is outside Casco Viejo’s established tourism zone and is not yet ready or appropriate for visitors. All of the best hotels, restaurants, and experiences are found safely within the main historic core.
Where to Stay in Casco Viejo
Discover the best hotels in Casco for recovery—quiet, stylish, and just minutes from Panama’s top clinics and hospitals.
View HotelsHealthy Dining for Recovery
Explore Casco’s best cafes and restaurants with clean, recovery-friendly menus that nourish without sacrificing flavor.
Explore DiningGentle Self-Guided Walks
Take a scenic stroll through Casco Viejo’s historic streets—perfect for movement, recovery, and reconnecting with the beauty around you.
View Tours