After weeks surrounded by sea and palm-fringed islands, the crew of SV Oceanolog traded the sound of waves for cobblestones as we stepped into the heart of Panama City’s historic district—Casco Viejo. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a captivating blend of colonial architecture, colorful plazas, fading grandeur, and vibrant street life.
Wandering its narrow streets, we felt like time travelers: every corner told a story. Restored mansions now house cafés and boutique hotels, while weathered buildings still wear their centuries with quiet dignity. The contrast between peeling paint and polished marble, broken shutters and rooftop cocktails, was oddly harmonious. It was a place where the past didn’t compete with the present—it simply lived alongside it.
One of the highlights of our visit was climbing the bell tower of the San Francisco Church, one of the oldest churches in the city. After navigating a winding staircase and several creaky wooden steps, we emerged to a panoramic view that took our breath away. From the top, we could see all of Casco Viejo spread out below—terracotta rooftops, lush courtyards, bustling plazas—and beyond, the glittering skyline of modern Panama City and the distant curve of the Panama Canal.
It was a moment of perspective, both literal and symbolic. Up there, wind in our hair and history underfoot, we were reminded of the intricate connections between land and sea, old and new, adventure and reflection.
Casco Viejo offered us more than a break from the boat—it was a walk through centuries of culture, resilience, and reinvention. And as we descended from the bell tower and made our way back to the marina, we carried with us not only the view, but the sense of how every voyage—no matter how salty—needs an anchoring in history.
