El Valle de Antón
A mountain town built inside the crater of an extinct volcano, about two hours from Panama City. At roughly 600 metres it is cooler and greener than the lowlands, with waterfalls, hiking, a famous Sunday market and some of the best birding in the country.
What is El Valle?
Quick facts.
El Valle de Antón is a small town in Coclé province that sits inside the crater of an extinct volcano. Panama City families have long escaped here for weekends to enjoy cooler air, green hills and fresh produce, and the town has grown into a favorite for hikers, birders and couples looking for a quiet getaway. Many Panamanians keep a second home here.
- WhereCoclé province, about 25 km off the Interamerican Highway and roughly two hours from Panama City.
- ElevationAbout 600 metres, noticeably cooler than the capital.
- The craterAround 6 km wide, from a volcano described as extinct for some 300,000 years.
- SizeAbout 7,600 residents at the 2010 census.
Coffee-farm stays
Coming soon.
We are preparing a coffee-farm stay in El Valle for couples. It is not open to guests yet. Join the waitlist and we will tell you first when dates open.
Where to stay today
Where to stay while our place gets ready.
| Hotel | What to know |
|---|---|
| Hotel La Compañía del Valle | Breakfast included. About 70 rooms and suites with balconies, heated pools, a spa and three restaurants. |
| Canopy Lodge | All-inclusive rainforest lodge, popular with birders and wildlife photographers. |
| Caracoral Hotel Boutique & Spa | Breakfast included. A boutique stay with a spa. |
| The Golden Frog Inn | Breakfast included. Restaurant, pool and mountain views. |
| Casa Grimaldo | Breakfast included. Small and relaxed, centrally located and an easy walk to the market. |
Also good
Cabañas Potosí
Breakfast included. Quiet grounds and cabin-style rooms.
Park Eden Bed & Breakfast
Breakfast included. Garden setting close to the town centre.
Bodhi Hostel & Lounge
Budget-friendly hostel with bike rental, shuttle and shared kitchen.
Prices vary by season, so check each hotel directly.
Where to eat
Restaurants and coffee shops.
Casa de Lourdes
Home-style Panamanian cooking, such as arroz con pollo and sancocho, with generous portions.
Bruschetta
A popular restaurant right in the center of town, serving Italian-Panamanian dishes including handmade pasta.
Restaurante Massiel
A very local Panamanian restaurant.
Restaurante Las Nubes
A well-liked restaurant outside the center. You will want a car to get there.
Plaza El Rey
The El Rey supermarket complex has several restaurants, coffee shops and other stores in one place.
Coffee shops
Café Unido
On the main avenue. Panamanian coffee including geisha, espresso drinks and breakfast, with indoor and outdoor seating.
Heaven's Café
A breakfast and coffee stop.
Café de Arte
Local coffee in an art space that shows regional artists, with sandwiches and desserts.
Restaurants and cafés change hands and hours; check before you go.
Things to do
Nature, markets and relaxing.
La India Dormida trail
A beginner-friendly hike with valley views and a natural pool to cool off in afterwards. Allow about 3 hours round trip.
Cerro Gaital cloud forest
A tougher 2 to 3 hour round trip for experienced hikers. On a clear day the summit looks toward both the Pacific and the Caribbean.
Chorro El Macho and the zip line
A short rainforest walk to a waterfall, with a zip line passing it. You can rappel down the falls, or just walk and swim.
Sunday market
The market runs through the week, but the most artisans come on Sundays. Look for molas, painted wooden trays, soapstone figures, Panama hats, fruit and plants.
Thermal pools and mud baths
Volcanic hot springs for a soak. Facilities are basic and can get crowded, so go early.
Butterfly Haven
A tour of under an hour within walking distance of the main street. Good for families.
El Níspero zoo
Local wildlife, including the endangered Panamanian golden frog.
Square Tree Forest
A short walk to trees with square trunks. Good for photos, and you may spot sloths.
Birdwatching
The valley and its cloud-forest edges are good birding country.
Spa day
Caracoral and other spas offer massages and a thermal pool, at higher prices.
Plan your visit
Getting there
El Valle is a turn-off of about 25 km from the Interamerican Highway, roughly two hours by car from Panama City. We can arrange pickup and driving; see tours and concierge.
Weather
Cooler than the city, so bring a light jacket for evenings, and rain gear in the wet season.
Day trip or overnight
A day trip covers the market and one hike. Two nights lets you do a waterfall, a hike and the thermal pools without rushing.
A good read for the trip
Fiction, set in 1990s Panama.
Good Money Gone is a financial thriller by Richard Kilborn and Mario Acevedo, drawn from Richard's early years at an offshore finance firm. It is a work of fiction set almost 30 years ago, in the 1990s, before the regulation, reporting rules and oversight that govern Panama's financial sector today. Read it as an entertaining story about the old days, not as a picture of how business is done in Panama now.
Sources: Visit Panamá, Spend Life Traveling, Wikipedia. Check opening hours and fees with each operator.