Are you prepared to venture into Panama City’s so-called «most dangerous» neighborhood? The El Chorrillo Tour offers an immersive walking experience designed to reshape your understanding of this vibrant area. Your guide is Victor Perez, a proud Panamanian of Guna heritage. Begin your journey at Plaza Herrera, then stroll along Avenida A toward Barraza, passing the iconic Flor de Lirio building that marks the edge of Casco Viejo.
This guided experience reveals the hidden gems surrounding Casco Viejo that most visitors overlook—including Barraza, El Chorrillo, Santa Ana, Barrio Chino (the Chinese Quarter), and the bustling Avenida Central. The streets burst with stunning murals that your knowledgeable guide will highlight, featuring the legendary Guna revolution mural and the striking tribute to boxing champion Roberto «Mano de Piedra» Duran. You’ll also visit the Jesus Master Gomez Gym, the legendary birthplace of Panamanian boxing where Duran himself trained. Founded in 1955, Plaza Amador has long served as a community hub, nurturing neighborhood youth through football.
Your tour includes a stop at El Parque de los Aburridos—literally «the park of the bored»—where locals gather daily for spirited domino matches. Adjacent to the park stands Mario the Magician of Hats, instantly recognizable by the enormous hat adorning his shop’s rooftop. As one of Panama’s rare hat restoration specialists, Mario preserves this traditional craft using tools inherited from his grandfather over 120 years ago, while also offering an impressive hat selection.
The El Chorrillo Tour creates genuine connections with residents, inviting you into their homes and sharing meals over cold beers. You’ll discover the neighborhood’s profound history, including the 1989 U.S. military invasion that targeted General Manuel Antonio Noriega during Operation Just Cause. El Chorrillo housed both the Central Command headquarters and Noriega’s offices, making it the focal point of the bombing campaign launched just before Christmas—a devastating event that claimed over 3,000 lives.
Noriega’s dominance over the drug trade transformed it into the neighborhood’s primary revenue stream after traditional income sources dried up. Weapons proliferated throughout the area, and rival gangs clashed fiercely over territorial control. Violence gripped the community, yet a remarkable transformation has begun through resocialization initiatives and the expanding Casco Viejo district, which has sparked gentrification. For those seeking a more traditional exploration, the Legends of Casco Viejo Walking Tour offers an excellent alternative.
El Chorrillo Tour
The El Chorrillo Tour in Panama City allows visitors to explore one of the city’s most notorious neighborhoods with guide Victor Perez. The journey begins at Plaza Herrera and includes important sites like the El Parque de los Aburridos, and the historic Jesus Master Gomez Gym, birthplace of Panamanian boxing. Highlights include vibrant murals and interactions with locals, shedding light on El Chorrillo’s troubled past, including the 1989 U.S. invasion aimed at General Manuel Noriega. Despite its violent history, the area is undergoing transformation through community initiatives and gentrification, offering a deeper understanding of its culture and history. For a more conventional experience, the Casco Viejo Walking Tour is recommended.
Trip Highlights
- Venture into Panama City's so-called "most dangerous" neighborhood.
- Explore the hidden gems surrounding Casco Viejo that most visitors overlook.
- Learn about the 1989 U.S. military invasion that targeted General Manuel Antonio Noriega.
