Capilla San Jose, Panama City
Capilla San Jose
Capilla San Jose
4.5
About
Built soon after the first Spanish settlement in the 16th century, this small church features the famous Golden Altar (Altar de Oro), which is made entirely of pure gold.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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Tours and Tickets
The area
Address
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
597 within 5 kms
Ciao Pescao
19
0.4 km€€ - €€€ • Latin • Seafood • Spanish
Restaurante Comida Gourmet PTY
2
0.3 kmFast food • Deli
Paname's Deli
1
0.1 km
El Gato Negro
5
16 m€€ - €€€ • Italian
Ferretti Gelato E Caffe
25
0.7 km€€ - €€€ • Dessert
Mr Chen
9
0.7 km€€ - €€€ • Chinese
Restaurante Portogalo
34
0.9 km€€ - €€€ • Seafood • European • Portuguese
Starfish Grill
22
1 km€€ - €€€ • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
La Diva
1
0.9 km€ • Seafood • Street Food
Mr. Limon
5
1 kmPeruvian • Seafood • South American
Attractions
36 within 5 kms
Panama Metro
2,157
4.8 kmPublic Transportation Systems
Iglesia de San Francisco de Asis
181
3.4 kmChurches & Cathedrals
Multiplaza Pacific
990
4.4 kmShopping Malls
Metropolitan National Park
715
3.8 kmNational Parks
Iglesia del Carmen
507
4.8 kmChurches & Cathedrals
Panama La Vieja
2,168
4 kmAncient Ruins
AltaPlaza Mall
57
2 kmShopping Malls
Panamá Viejo
752
4 kmHistoric Sites
El Arco Chato
150
3.4 kmAncient Ruins • Churches & Cathedrals
Palacio Bolivar
88
4.2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
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Popular mentions
4.5
664 reviews
Excellent
328
Very good
253
Average
76
Poor
4
Terrible
3
dragonphoe18
London, UK210 contributions
Look out for this in Casco Viejo
Mar 2020
If you're in the Old City, you should look out for this church. Entry is free (leave a donation on your way out) and you can see the enormous ornate golden altar squeezed into the back of the church. It is quite a sight to see and interesting to read about the history and about the pirates! Good also to take a little break from the heat if it is very hot outside!
Written 12 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ebert2013
Eden Prairie, Minnesota43 contributions
Church Viewing
Feb 2020 • Couples
We enjoyed walking through the church in Old Town. The alter is amazing, covered in gold leaf. The only thing I found odd was that the “prayer candles” were electric! I guess it makes sense when you don’t have someone to monitor an open flame in an old wood church. It was a quiet, cool, contemplative place to visit.
Written 27 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
highlandbeachflorida
Highland Beach, FL1,669 contributions
Historic church with gold leaf altar
Jan 2020 • Couples
Beautiful small historic church in Casco viejo built by the Spanish in the late 1600 with an enormous ornate gold leaf altar. Stories of pirates and tunnels about the altar add to the fascination.
The impressive Adoremus at the back of the Church - a recreation of the entire town where Jesus was born in full detail is worth the visit.
The impressive Adoremus at the back of the Church - a recreation of the entire town where Jesus was born in full detail is worth the visit.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Emi
31 contributions
Full of history
Dec 2019
It is a historical Church that cannot be missed when visiting Panama, known also for the golden altar and the splendid Nativity.
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
AleliMiami1
Miami, Florida57 contributions
Beautiful Church with lots of histtory
Nov 2019
Check out this beautiful church's history. Legend says that the priest covered the altar with mud so when Captain Morgan came, he could not see the gold altar.
Written 13 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
woaishanghai
State College, PA430 contributions
One of the more elaborate ones
Jul 2019
You could plan for this if you are into churches... a bit more elaborate one. A little too out of the way unless you stay nearby.
Written 18 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Beata
Vaughan, Canada8 contributions
Medieval sculptures and altars!
Aug 2019
If you like history and authentic beautiful early Spanish Catholic Sculptures, this is an awesome place to visit in Old City of Panama /Casco Viejo/.
Written 17 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
iq188
The Bronx, NYC, United States54 contributions
Small on the inside but SUPER impressive on the inside
Aug 2018 • Family
if viewing amazing architecture and holy houses of worships is your must do venture while vacationing than dont miss a tour of this gem tucked into Panama city.
Written 8 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mike K
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada3,071 contributions
Bewre of crowds!
Apr 2019 • Couples
On our Holland America Line cruise through the Panama Canal, we toured Capilla San Jose, with its famous altar of gold and a fascinating biblical diorama in an adjoining room. We were here during Holy Week and the church was packed!
Written 15 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
allspice502016
New Westminster, Canada919 contributions
Beautiful Stained Glass Panels
Apr 2019 • Couples
Built between 1671 and 1677 and has a gold leaf, baroque-style altar. There are beautiful stained glass panels along the side that pay homeage to St. Rita of Cassia, St. Augustine, Our Lady of Consolation and St. Joseph.
Written 3 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Frequently Asked Questions about Capilla San Jose
- Hotels near Capilla San Jose:
- (4.61 km) Patty's Casitas
- (4.24 km) Ramada Plaza By Wyndham Panama Punta Pacifica
- (5.13 km) El Machico Hostel
- (8.15 km) Coconut Lodge
- (8.05 km) Casa Anita
- Restaurants near Capilla San Jose:
- (0.02 km) El Gato Negro
- (0.14 km) Paname's Deli
- (0.34 km) Restaurante Comida Gourmet PTY
- (0.44 km) Ciao Pescao
- (0.66 km) Ferretti Gelato E Caffe