Top Things to do in El Valle de Anton
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Things to do in El Valle de Anton, Cocle Province: The Best Nature & Parks
Families with kids of all ages will love this mountain village, located just two hours from Panama City. Whether you’re up for active sports such as hiking, biking, horseback riding and ziplining through the rainforest—or sightseeing adventures such as the El Nispero Zoo and Serpentario (a snake habitat), you’ll find it here. El Valle de Antón is home to the world’s second-largest extinct volcano—but you’ll still find more modern pleasures here, such as its well-known Sunday Market and elegant spas such as Casa de Lourdes.
Restaurants in El Valle de Anton
1. Gaital National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By nickiBH
If you have to choose between wild life vs zipline/thermal/waterfall, you would enjoy cerro Gaital a lot more for being quietly amazed by tropical forest wildlife. However, if you expect thermal or zipline, please go elsewhere. Sometimes it’s worth doing a bit of a research to avoid going to a wrong destination and complain afterwards, to be fair. Minutes after we got off our van, we saw a huge hummingbird right away! Not to mention many more other rare birds. It’s definitely worth to hire a local wildlife guide who knows all the details. Ours is super professional. He has all the singing of the various birds on his phone and he also carries a portable amplifier of these recorded singing to attract the rare birds for our easy sighting. He does it in a way that is not annoying to the nature and not other travellers (who are actually curious to see what birds would come!) We were also lucky to spot two sloths separately and one was even slowing moving! We also saw the biggest life blue butterfly we ever saw in the wild, and many more interesting plants. The climb uphill was not difficult but was a bit slippery coming downhill so a pair of hiking shoes or even sticks are advisable. I didn’t bring sticks but had a pair of gloves so it helped a bit. (Sunblock/mosquito repellent/ rain coat just in case) Don’t forget your binoculars of course! But it is so worth to see both oceans once you are at the top and overlook the living village in the crater. Enjoy a good hike!
2. The Lovers Falls
3. The Sleeping Indian Girl
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 299 reviews
Reviewed By kristendef98
Wow!! View at the top was absolutely stunning. The trail is actually a loop, but we hiked out the way we came up. Beware that locals hang out around the entrance to the hike and ask you to pay them a few bucks to "look out after your car."
4. Butterfly Haven
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 509 reviews
Experience the wonder and tranquility of being immersed in hundreds of living, jewel colored butterflies in a tropical rain forest setting. Included at no extra charge if you desire, are guided tours of our 3 areas.
Reviewed By GabriellainBurma - Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar
It's a small place so you can find many butterflies and the guide explain is many interesting things
5. El Valle de Anton
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 108 reviews
Known for its numerous mountain hiking trails and historic attractions, this valley is located within the crater of the second largest inhabited dormant volcano in the world.
Reviewed By guherj - Panama City, Panama
This town based on a extinguish volcano crater is a unique in the world! With a different climate from the hole country (fresh & rainy). Lot of green, mountains, rivers, trails, animals and more! You will enjoy it!
6. El Chorro Macho
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 479 reviews
This spectacular 35-meter waterfall features a natural lagoon at its bottom that, according to legend, is enchanted.
Reviewed By Bobhawk7 - Cornwall, Canada
I did the zip line tour and was so glad I did. They stopped us on the zip line right in front of the falls. It was a much better view than the small hikers had. So glad I did it
7. Aprovaca (The Orchid Nursery & Conservation Center)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 155 reviews
APROVACA is an orchid nursery & conservation center. We display over 100 beautiful orchids, most of which are native to Panama. We are one of the few places where the National Flower of Panama, the Holy Ghost Orchid, is grown. In the greenhouse dedicated exclusively to this endangered flower, each plant that grows has a sponsor, who donates $20 annually to help us care for and protect this gorgeous species. In our garden, you can see many unique orchid species, such as the vanilla orchid (vanilla is actually an orchid!), lady slipper orchids, oncidiums, other tropical botanicals and many miniature species. As such, there is no better place to learn about the amazingly rich and unique flora of Panama! Our center operates Hostel Orchid, the first genuine backpacker accommodation in El Valle. Also a few rooms can be booked for those preferring a more private experience. All bookings include free visit to the center. Visit our website to learn more. We are look forward to your visit!
8. El Serpentario
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 113 reviews
Reviewed By CamarD - The Hague, The Netherlands
We visited the Serpentario. It is not big, but it took us an hour to go through. The staff explained the different species, showed how you can identify poisonous snakes and demonstrated the difference between caimans and crocodiles. My son of 5 was mesmerized.
9. Los Pozos Termales
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 189 reviews
Reviewed By CharlieinTexas - Austin, United States
Different and fun. Mud facial and then a dip in one of various small pools. Warm, not hot, water. Worth a stop when in the area.
10. El Nispero Zoo and Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 593 reviews
Reviewed By gusb2018
If you're used to the zoos in our backyard, stop by this beautiful nature-surrounded attraction while at El Valle in Anton, Panama. Quite a different experience with a good variety in a setting that is peaceful and entertaining. Clean bathrooms. Good value.
