One of the things that make Casco Antiguo special is that is a community where small things can be implemented resulting in big impact not only in the resident`s lifestyle but in Panama`s tourism.

You know, most Panamanians when talking about Casco are still afraid of coming here or recommending others to come. "It is dangerous... don`t park your car just anywhere"... I guess they where right! strange things do happen here... check out this photo...

For Casqueños, the news that Maria Consuelo Orozco, the owner of Frit Arte, has re-opened is exciting. The décor has a fresh new look. Regular hours have been extended from noon to 10 pm so we can have our evening belly dancing and yoga classes.

Part of the lifestyle we enjoy in Casco Antiguo has to do with services that don’t break the bank. When the owner of Chateau de Klippers returned to the USA, many of felt a void because it meant driving into the city instead of walking to Calle 9. I finally located three of the people from Klippers and decided to invite a few Casqueños over for a Spa Night. It was such fun.

In Casco Antiguo, it is very rare when a plaza front commercial space is for sale. If you are an investor looking for prime income property, this could be it. P.H. Montefiori was the first building on Plaza Herrera to be restored (2008), followed by P.H. Casa de la Merced in 2010.

What’s in a name? When you hear the word “Beluga,” do you think of a whale? Or maybe caviar comes to mind? Well, the next time you hear “Beluga,” think “restaurant.”

Leaving the office late one night last week I was surprised to find myself stepping out into the middle of a music video. Some of our neighbors from Calle 4ta were shooting the video for Shadow’s new song, Dejalo Correr. The song talks about violence and its consequences, a pertinent theme for the young men of Calle 4ta who, as former gang members, have the experience-based wisdom to speak about violence and its negative impact on the community with some authority.

Is it a photo or a painting? That’s the question you’ll ask yourself as you turn the pages slowly in photographer Ken Milburn’s newest book, Panama City’s Casco Viejo, Fast Rising Bohemian Community. For fun, try guessing the actual location of the photos, some are easy, others will take awhile, and there will be one that will take an expert to figure out. The majority of the photos were taken with a technique called HDR processing which expands the visible tonal range in a photographic image so it more closely resembles all the shades of brightness and color we are able to see with our eyes.