Top Things to do in El Valle de Anton
What to do and see in El Valle de Anton, Panama: The Best Places and Tips
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. Butterfly Haven
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 402 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 10_Downing_St - London
What a great place to visit. They have around 20 different species and point them out as they guide you around.
The staff are very polite, happy and knowledgeable and explain the whole life cycle. A very informative experience and well worth the $5.
The tour includes visiting three areas including a room to see the caterpillars, a presentation and of course the flight house. When I finished the tour they allowed us back in to the butterfly house as a big group had just left so we could relax and take our time taking photographs.
2. The Sleeping Indian Girl
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 237 reviews
Reviewed By hisdudeness1 - Newton, Massachusetts
Great little hike, even though we didn't make it up to the top with our 9 and 11 year olds because a sudden afternoon downpour left us soaked and the trails seemingly like little rivers. Kids loved it and swam in some of the pools of the stream despite rain resulting muddiness and elevated water levels. Met some locals along the way, saw butterflies and relaxed in a quiet setting (only around 10 cars when we arrived). Local "ranger" gave us a hand drawn map upon asking (but was soaked when rain started). Would definitely love to try again when chances of spectacular views are better.
3. El Chorro Macho
Overall Ratings
4 based on 410 reviews
This spectacular 35-meter waterfall features a natural lagoon at its bottom that, according to legend, is enchanted.
Reviewed By Jere_O_comptoir - Washington DC, District of Columbia
As previous ppl mentioned, this is merely a river as you would find at every corner of Central America.
And it’s just laughable that they want you to pay to access the river ... come on, Panama, go see how parks are managed elsewhere in the world and learn how to properly become a tourist destination.
If you really want to check this out, go after 4pm when all the locals go and when you are not bothered by a bored to death girl telling you it’s 3$ to access the river.
4. Aprovaca (The Orchid Nursery & Conservation Center)
Overall Ratings
4 based on 150 reviews
APROVACA is an orchid nursery & conservation center. We display over 100 beautiful orchids, most of which are native to Panama. Entrance is $2, which include a 20-min guided tour of the center in Spanish or the free use of an English self-guided tour booklet. APROVACA is one of the few places where the National Flower of Panama, the Dove Orchid, is grown in the country. In the greenhouse dedicated exclusively to this endangered flower, you can see over 100 plants growing. In fact, each flower has a sponsor, who donates $20 annually to help us care for and protect this gorgeous orchid species. In our recently expanded garden, you can also see many unique orchid species, such as the vanilla orchid (vanilla is actually an orchid!), lady slipper orchids, the Vanda Miss Joaquim (the gorgeous National Flower of Singapore) and many cute little miniature species. As such, there is no better place to learn about the amazingly rich and unique flora of Panama!Apart from admiring the beautiful orchids, you can also buy the Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis) and over 20 varieties of herbs and medicinal plants. We also run an internet cafe on our premise, where we offer high-speed internet connection through computers and Wi-Fi, good coffee, homemade cakes and fresh juice. The latest addition to our center is Hostel Orchid, the first genuine backpacker accommodation in El Valle. The rate is $12 per night, which include hot shower, free Wi-Fi and a free visit of the orchid center APROVACA. Please visit our renewed website to learn more about us. We are waiting for your visit!
Reviewed By mdfloyd322 - Denver, Colorado
Wonderful place. I've never seen so many orchids in one small area. Our guide Ayumi was wonderful. We all absolutely adored her enthusiasm and love for orchids. If you are anywhere near El Valle and need orchids, this is the place.
5. Gaital National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By bestregards f
Starting from the city centre of El Valle, we hiked along the road until we continued on a small trail up. We found mandarins along the track and as we got higher the ecosystem changed. The last bit up was very slippery and fun. We really needed the ropes to get all the way to the top from where we enjoyed the beautiful view on El Valle.
6. La Piedra Pintada
Overall Ratings
4 based on 103 reviews
Reviewed By K8tieM - Angus, Canada
Our guide told us the ancient drawings are pre Columbian. the glyphs were very interesting and we marveled at what they could possibly mean? To see the glyphs is a short walk from the parking lot and a few bucks to get in. If you're in the area it is worth checking out.
7. El Serpentario
Overall Ratings
4 based on 95 reviews
Reviewed By GringoBayState - Massachusetts
Hopefully we are moving away from zoos in the future unless they are to be designed with the animals happiness in mind. The snakes, turtle and caymans were interesting, but knowing that they live the way they do (unstimulated, lonely and dying) for our entertainment is not a good thing. We would be fine watching video of these animals rather than putting them in confining prisons just so we can take photos us with them.
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 149 reviews
Reviewed By CPHunter - Vancouver, Canada
Don't expect anything like you'll get in North America or Europe. You're not in North America or Europe. Keep that in mind from the get-go. It was kind of fun to put volcanic mud on your face. However the pools are not very warm whatsoever. The change facilities are clean enough. There isn't very much to do there. We had 45 minutes and that was enough. Do walk slightly away from the pool areas so that you can see the garden and get a better view of the Mountains
9. El Nispero Zoo and Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 516 reviews
Reviewed By GiselaZD - Wisconsin
Important work to save the critically endangered Golden Frog and other frogs is being done here. We visited the zoo specifically to see the Golden Frog and learn more about them. Frogs are displayed in a small building but there is little information presented on them or the work being done. Having a docent and/or brief presentation would be a great idea.
The zoo is in a nice setting but the animal caging is small and grim. We had to walk by exhibits of caiman (two in a small round enclosure), turtles, a parrot in solitary confinement, and a pair of pheasants to get to the frog building. We avoided visiting any other animal exhibits.
Admission is $5 per person for non-Panamanians.
I can't recommend this place. It's depressing to see animals confined like that.
10. The Lovers Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By Brad S - Chicago, Illinois, United States
First, go through town well past the central market and follow the signs left to the petroglyphs, and santa Cruz shrine. Just before the shrine you will see the sidewalk entrance on your left, probably with some vendors. Pay your $2.25 entry fee and follow the trail past several Waterfalls. Nothing Hawaii or New Zealand stunning, but a pretty uphill walk and lots of falling g water. Plenty of opportunities to dip into the falls and pools. Given the awful reviews, we did not continue to the glyphs.
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