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Panama City
Things to do in Panama City
Panama La Vieja
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Panama La Vieja

See all things to do
See all things to do
Panama La Vieja
4
#22 of 189 things to do in Panama City
Ancient Ruins
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
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About
Panamá Laa Vieja es el nombre que recibe el sitio arqueológico donde estuvo ubicada la Ciudad de Panamá en su primera fundación en elsiglo XVI.
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Admission tickets
from C$20.84
All you need to step foot in the door.
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
532 within 5 kms
Churreria Manolo
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Mania Panama
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Que Rico
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0.5 kmFast food
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1 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • American • Fusion
Austin Mama's
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Brava Pizza & Espuma
219
1 km$$ - $$$ • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Doraditos
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Panama Seafood
3
0.8 km$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Sushi
El Jardín Vegetariano
18
0.8 km$ • Chinese • South American • Central American
Doscucharas Costa del Este
56
1 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options
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Attractions
137 within 10 kms
Panamá Viejo
771
0.6 kmHistoric Sites
Parque de la amistad Chino-Panamena
1
0.5 kmParks • Gardens
Cementerio Jardín de Paz
1
0.6 kmCemeteries
Casco Viejo
11,947
Neighbourhoods • Historic Walking Areas
Casa Bruja Brewing Co
21
0.9 kmBreweries
Costa del Este
246
1.9 kmNeighbourhoods
Museo Panama Viejo
140
1.2 kmSpeciality Museums
Plaza de Francia
647
2.6 kmHistoric Sites
Capilla San Jose
682
3.6 kmHistoric Sites • Religious Sites
Multiplaza Pacific
1,033
4 kmShopping Malls
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
2,193 reviews
Excellent
900
Very good
824
Average
372
Poor
75
Terrible
22
brandasa
Centerville, OH1,364 contributions
Interesting history
Jun. 2023 • Couples
We went right when it opened at 8:30 on a Sunday. We had the place to ourselves. Road the easy tram to the site, wandered around, and then took in the museum. Spent about 1.5 hours. $10, and they accept credit card.
Written June 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PaindudeChicago
Las Vegas, NV56 contributions
Fascinating!
Jun. 2023 • Couples
Fantastically preserved ruins of the original Panama city settlement, great to wander around all the scenic ruins with the modern city in the background
Review of: Skip the Line: Panama La Vieja Admission Ticket
Written June 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim G
Pacific Grove, CA3,187 contributions
Fascinating Museum & Ruins
May 2022 • Couples
Established by a Spanish Conquistador in 1519, Panama Viejo was the oldest and first European settlement along the Americas’ Pacific Ocean. Captain Henry Morgan, known both as a pirate & politician, destroyed this fine city in 1671. Today Panama Viejo is recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
My husband & I were staying in Casco Viejo, where we grabbed an UBER to transport us to the location of the original site of Old Panama City. This was a far more affordable option than booking a guided tour, where we self-toured the Museum & Ruins. We did not have to wait more than 10 minutes for a return UBER.
There is a small snack bar where you can grab a refreshment, however bring something to drink as well, as it is quite hot walking among the stone ruins. A tram will take you out & back.
The Museum offered a comprehensive history of the building & untimely demise of the original Old Panama City. We found the exhibition fascinating. The ruins were also interesting to roam through.
We found the contrast between the Panama Viejo ruins against the backdrop of modern Panama City, with its soaring skyscrapers, to be quite a dichotomy.
Written April 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda G
2 contributions
Be sure to go to the right place!
Feb. 2023 • Couples
The site was fantastic! The reason for only 4 stars is because TripAdvisor should CLEARLY state where the address is to enter the site. We mapped to Panama La Vieja and this is NOT the entrance. For Uber destination select: Museo Panama Viejo to enter Panama Las Viejas!!
Review of: Skip the Line: Panama La Vieja Admission Ticket
Written February 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
linda e
New York City, NY124 contributions
interesting Museum and Historical Site
Jan. 2023
This was the site of the original Panama City - excellent museum that explains the history of the site and why it was abandoned. The tower has been partially restored so you can climb to the top. Definitely a must see.
Written January 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IlyaNJ
Marlboro, NJ1,009 contributions
Of interest to history buffs and WH chasers
Dec. 2022
Panama Viejo is the site of the original settlement in the area that was abandoned in the 17th century. It is located to the northeast of the city center and is practically all ruins, with just a couple of standing structures, most notably the cathedral tower. The museum on premises offers a very detailed picture of the history of the settlement.
Written January 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SFvegetarian
Vallejo, CA78 contributions
Beautiful Ruins
Nov. 2022
that entire section of Casco Viejo is lovely and beautiful. The ruins are excellent, the water views are amazing, between the skyline of the city, and the ship cued up for the canal
Written November 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Atravelfan
Atlanta256 contributions
Excellent museum, Ruins and Grounds Beautiful
Jul. 2022
Love visiting ruins and this did not disappoint. The grounds are well maintained and lovely. The museum really well documents Panama's history and learned a lot.
It is $10 pp for foreign visitors and that includes the tram to drive you from the entrance to the main building with museum and cathedral ruins.
Written July 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruce A
Washington DC, DC1,141 contributions
Come for the ruins, stay for the wildlife
Apr. 2022
We did this at 9 AM on our first full day in Panama and I do recommend it. The site is not that big. The old cathedral is by far the top attraction: by walking up to the tippy-top you get a great view of both the site itself and modern Panama City. The other buildings are in far worse shape: many are just a few rows of bricks sticking out of the ground. Angkor Wat this is not.

But what really makes this sight is the abundance of NATURAL beauty. We saw big iguanas, small yellow finches, and even a pair of nesting vultures. There were also leafcutter ants everywhere. Some of the plant life growing in and out of the ruins was also beautiful. Man has abandoned this site but nature has given it new life.
Written April 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick S
Birmingham, UK110 contributions
Leave some time for the museum
Jan. 2022
Sadly the ruins did not do a lot for me. However the attached museum has some very interesting displays about the establishment of Panama and the problems they faced from various criminal English elements.
Written February 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Panama La Vieja (Panama City): Hours, Address, Attraction Reviews - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Panama La Vieja
Panama La Vieja admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost C$20.56, while a popular guided tour starts around C$61.69 per person.
Restaurants near Panama La Vieja: View all restaurants near Panama La Vieja on Tripadvisor