I think today was pretty much the official announcement of summer. What a glorious morning. I climbed all the way up to the roof terrace of our Penthouse B unit at Benedetti Hermanos. What a view! I´m not an expert photographer, so it didn´t come out so nicely, but still…
Benedetti Hermanos Roof Terrace View
Guess what? I got a video camera…. now I´ll be unstoppable… check out my debut posting HERE!
James Bond is heating up… great articles have come out, with different angles: from real estate to hospitality, Quantum of Solace seems to be providing more than guns and detective action!
A taste from The Telegraph: “The historical centre of Casco Viejo, juxtaposed against Panama City’s powder-blue skies, has an enormous attraction for those after character and a lively neighbourhood.” and this is just a taste of today´s article at The Telegraph. Check out everything from an analysis on real estate at Panama, including Casco Viejo and a description of the hotels where he stayed. Read more and go to the articles here: Click Here for info…
Panama, Casco Antiguo
Panama, Casco Viejo
Planning your vacations to Panama and don’t have much time? If you like nature, history, big machinery, culture and architecture, then there are only 2 destinations within Panama City that can offer all this in a compact, yet authentic experience: the Panama Canal and Casco Viejo.
You can basically organize all this for a long weekend. Combining day trips to the Canal and basing from Casco Viejo (see my Hotel suggestions according to your budget) you will be able to enjoy the beauties of one of the world’s engineering wonders and Panama’s 300 year old colonial heart.
To experience the Panama Canal, you have different choices. My favorite (if you are in good shape!) is the Barro Colorado Island trip. It is run by STRI, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and consists on a 6 hours hike through the forest of the most studied tropical forest in the world. You take a boat early at Gamboa (around 7 a.m.) and cross lake Gatún. The visit is guided by biologists, with great information regarding scientific research. Sometimes you get a monkey specialist, a bird specialist, botanical… it all depends on who is guiding! I worked with BCI for quite a while and I can tell you it is one of the most informative experiences you can have. You need to book in advance though! So plan ahead. My recommendation: go during the week, groups are smaller (up to 10 people).
Now, less informative, but equally fun:… See full recomendations here!
Panama, Casco Viejo
Casco Antiguo, San Felipe
I know it will happen. The entire country will paralize to go to the movies. After all, half the city was an extra in the latest James Bond movie, “Quantum of Solace”. As the final date gets closer, some articles have started to feature the diverse locations the Bond movie was filmed. The most beautiful: Casco Viejo! and the best hotel…. Canal House! check out this article at Urban Daddy:
“For a suitably debonair getaway of your own, drop in on Panama City—one of Central America’s hottest new destinations, and one of the new Bond flick’s most appealing backdrops. On the southern mouth of the famed Canal, Panama City has been an architectural wonder since it was Europe’s first Pacific outpost—with the colonial streets and catedrales of Madrid, but the rainforests and sparkling waters of the Central American tropics.
Where to stay? Take a note from Bond, and find your way to the Canal House (where Daniel Craig crashed between takes). “
Panama, Casco Viejo
Casco Antiguo, San Felipe
This weekend at Casco Viejo was a lot of fun. It rained a lot, as October tends to be the rainniest month in the year. However, we had a lot of fun! Platea started early, as usual, with jazz night on Thursday and salsa on Friday. But La Casona had also a nice couple of events and our favorite “heavy metal – rock” bar called Baños Públicos (Public Bathrooms) was at its best with Beto playing anything from Hotel California and Canto Boliviano to Samba. Wao!
Here are some shots from La Casona. I was so happy to finally take some pictures from inside. The wonderful high ceilings of the art deco building they are at now makes such a great spot for alternative theatre or movie… but it is hard to photograph! We where there to see the theatre play Karaoke Sentimental, a play by Teatro Lagartija. They also had the art show 7 Pinceles, with fun paintings by Rolando de Sedas, Marta Noemi and Marta Sanchez, among others.
Casco Antiguo, San Felipe
Panama, Casco Viejo
Argimiro Armuelles
Last night, a group of friends organized a tapas night at Canal House in Casco Viejo with Argimiro, a Panamanian young chef who studied in Spain and even did his professional practice at the famous El Bulli Restaurant (Ferrán Adriá, 2 and 3 Michelin stars!). When Argimiro returned to Panama, he fell in love with Casco Viejo and I have to say we fell in love with his food, so anytime he organizes a party or just a tapas night we are more than thrilled. And last night was really great.
The thing with tapas is that you think they are so small you are not really eating that much… but wao! we had so much interesting stuff, reinterpretacions of Panamanian cuisine (like our carimañolas but with other ingredients), all the way to duck (but made into cigar shapes and fresh & spicy orange sauce as a side dish). My favorite was a corvina fish with two types of sauces but made in different textures, so one floated on top of the other, one spicier than the other. Some sort of mouse and the other was more of a sauce. My friend loved the shrimp, tasted almost grilled but it was zafron. And the dessert (I fall for the sweets!) was another reinterpretation that involved strawberries and some sort of cream I´m still trying to define, decorated with edible flowers.
I can´t wait for him to open his restaurant! it is expected to open in December, right on Plaza Catedral. He´ll work with local ingredients from our urban agriculture program, so it promises to be an experience! healthy and sustainable. I have some really weird stuff growing on my balcony, like these neon yellow eggplants and starfruit. I wonder what he can do with those!
Casco Antiguo Eggplant
Casco Antiguo Starfruit
Yesterday we just received a mail from Canal House about a guest that enjoyed his stay in Casco Antiguo. They forward to us an interesting post from Keys Life newspaper from USA; with a lovely review.
“The Canal House is a shinning example of the revived San Felipe, as the Casco is properly known. Smack in the middle of that small peninsula, the hotel is a short drive from the Bridge of the Americas and Amador, the gateway to the Panama Canal.”
“The next morning, just after breakfast, a religious procession parades past our balcony window. Masses of school kids, clergy and uniformed people, and wooden statue of holy man, ramble down the cobblestones. This was enough to get us out, exploring what felt like an older version of the New Orleans French Quarter, Barcelona’s Gothic Section, or maybe the present back alleys and side-streets of Havana.”
Quotes by Eric Holowacz
Keys Life Newspaper
Casco Antiguo
Panama, Casco Antiguo
Casco Viejo, San Felipe
Benedetti Hermanos Casco Antiguo
Investing in Real Estate in Panama. I often comment to my clients that Casco Antiguo is like Woody Allen: either you hate it or you love it, there is no “in between”. For the right person (and here are 5 steps to know if that is you) it is very easy to fall in love with it on their first visit. For those who have been following the markets at historic cities, Casco Viejo is a no- brainer: historic, diverse, full of activity, in a country that is a hub to the region in transportation, communication and soon even might be on energy supply. Ten minutes away from the modern Panama and ten from the ex Canal Zone.
This is the one concrete type of investment that is safer as it gathers several fundamentals: uniqueness, beauty, vibrancy, content, potential. If this is your first time looking at Casco Antiguo real estate, please start by reading these few tips. They are very useful in organizing your thoughts, especially if you are planning to travel soon to Panama. If you are already familiar with the Casco Antiguo market, keep reading!
Construction is an intense business, especially in Casco Antiguo. Yesterday, analizing with a client his options for owning a historic property in Casco Viejo, we went through the numbers of restoring vs buying an already restored condo and there wasn´t even a question about where the good deal was: shift the risk to a professional developer, and not only you´ll get a finished product way cheaper than building it yourself but far less headache and more appreciation/ flexibility.
Here is a list of what´s out there currently on pre construction or under construction:
Residential: UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Benedetti Hermanos: Currently under construction, two units have just been released to the market: Unit 7C and Penthouse B. Located at Central Avenue and 10th street, this is the only project that includes pool, yoga room and underground parking. Unit 7 C has 220 mt2 and no mezzanine, for which you´ll enjoy the full height of the already tall ceilings. It also includes bamboo flooring, central air, central gas, and full kitchen appliances. Click on the units to see the e- brochure for each one. Units will be tax free on property taxes for 20 years!
La Posada Isabella: Under construction, they are working already in the finishes for which it will be able to deliver units in Summer 2009 the latest, for which you´ll be able to get the 20 year property tax exemption. These are 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 parking and storage included. Download the e brochure here.
Casa Garay: Just started construction, it is scheduled to be delivered in a year, although we tend to think it will be a year and a half. There are two units in the market: a lovely one bedroom and a 2 bedroom apartment.
La Merced (Plaza Herrera): Under construction. They´ve put floors up and are ready to roof. Might be ready to deliver in less than a year. There are two units available, both with private roof terraces overlooking Plaza Herrera and with water views towards the entrance of the Panama Canal. Parking available for individual purchase.
Cuatro Casas: Delivering units as we speak! the place looks great and although they are still doing work on some of the units, there will be a couple of units available soon for rent. If you would like to buy a 2 bedroom, click here.
Casa Ruigar: Under construction, right at the side of 4 Casas and still a year to go. Unit 5 is on the market, click here for more information.
Casa Kliemman: Under construction, near La Posada Isabela. This project might still have one more year to go. Groundfloor units that can be purchased either as commercial or residential are available, which is interesting for small business owners as it is next to Luna´s Castle, with a young built in clientele.
Commercial: UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Hotel Central: Just re started construction. After a while of having stopped because of legal issues with Patrimonio Historico, one of the biggest hotel sites in the Casco has just started it´s works again. Having a hotel nearby injects important appreciation to the area. Nearby projects include: Cuatro Casas and Casa Ruigar. Other nearby buildings with finished condos are: Las Monjas, Art Deco 2B and Art Deco 3A
Club Union Hotel Site: The architects are moving headquarters to Casco Antiguo, so we should be expecting some important advances soon!
Panama, Casco Viejo
Casco Antiguo, San Felipe
Of course, the more money you have, the more options. But if you are not into deep pockets right now and enjoy exploring by land, there are nice options you can get to. For example, this past weekend we went to a far and away town inside Capira bordering the Gatun Lake. The town is called La Arenosa and it is an hour and a half from Casco Viejo by car, and you get to the true rural Panama. People in this town are mainly fishermen and carpenters. The place is beautiful and peaceful, filled with cows, hens crossing the road and pineapple farms. There is a great restaurant near the Nautico, 100% local, where you can get very nice fried fish just pulled out from the lake (mostly Tilapia or Sargento fish) with patacones and freezing cold beer. We were 4 people and spent $18 on our meal. But it is not only the fact that is really budget, what we enjoyed the most was the friendly people and the sudden and complete “stop” of civilization and rush hour.
Because Casco Antiguo is so close to the Bridge of the Americas and the Centenario bridge, it is your perfect headquarter for your day trips. Take a car and run around these towns, you´ll find interesting surprises. If you want beach, take the ferry and go to Taboga at the Pearl Islands. It is only an hour trip from the port at the Causeway and the local pescao frito there is very good too. You can climb the natural bird reserve or just hang out at the beach. Take the boat in the morning, come back at 3 p.m. Plan for your next day relaxing in one of the plazas in Casco Antiguo or have a simply stunning meal at the Fish market.
If you are into nature and hiking, you should get in touch with some of the groups that organize small groups to visit some less known places. There are a couple of organizations that are doing it just for fun and are getting to be more regular. They tend to go out Sunday mornings, really early. From river rafting in the Chagres river (this is the best time, as it is rainning a lot) to expeditions to the caves of Lake Alajuela ($55), they are all one day tours where you´ll enjoy Panama´s incredible blessing of having primary forest 20 minutes away from the modern city. So many Panamanians forget about this! what a luxury to give for granted.
Here are some phone numbers for these groups:
Underground expedition to Lake Alajuela: panama_outdoors@yahoo.com They tend to start the trip at 7 a.m.
River Rafting at the Chagres National Park ($65 – $79): Phone (507) 261-5043 / 6668-1842
Hiking, Snorkeling at Coiba National Park ($220 … believe me, this is a great price. Usually just the boat to get there is $800 alone… this includes transportation, food and a place to stay): www.ecoviajerospanama.com
Now… where to stay budget in Casco Antiguo? Check out Luna´s Castle or Hospedaje San Felipe. Want to know what else is there in town? check out my Casco Antiguo restaurant and hotel reviews here.
