The 10 Best Things to Do in El Valle de Anton, Panama — ALONG DUSTY ROADS

Whilst the country of magical realism is to the south of Panama, El Valle feels like it could have been conjured up by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

A million or so years ago, in this quiet town of millionaires, a stratovolcano imploded, creating a deep void in the earth. In Central America, such a geological predicament is common and, like in Atitlan and Apoyo, water flowed in to fill the basin and create a great crater lake in the place that would become known as Panama.

Then, someone left the plug out.

Through a fissure or a fault line, the waters vanished and the lake slipped away.

From origins of fire and water, the land left behind in the void is thick with minerals, fostering life in a way few places can. It gave rise to dense forests, tangled vines, and delicate wild orchids, painting the valley in a thousand shades of green: in the gaps, the town of El Valle de Anton took root on the caldera floor.

Yet, when one is atop of the old volcano walls, it almost ceases to exist under the camouflage of a lush canopy that seeks to consume every trace of man.

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El Valle de Anton doesn’t really feature on most Panama itineraries. This is partly due to how most people experience the country (either rushing through to Colombia or focussing on the islands), but also because most prioritise the better-known Boquete for outdoors adventures. Yet, for hikers and those with a green-tinged soul, the quiet town within the extinct volcano may end up as your surprise favourite, and somewhere that changes your entire impression of Panama in the best way possible.

A long-time favourite countryside retreat of the Panamanian elite, much of your time is spent hiking up, around, or back down the steep walls of the extinct volcano. There’s also an abundance of birdlife, biodiversity, flora, swimming holes, and it’s a serene, tropical environment where one can fill your lungs, muddy your boots, or head out on two wheels each day.

The fact that it’s only a couple of hours drive from the skyscrapers of the capital also makes it a very sensible first stop on your way to the beaches of the Golfo de Azuero.

In this travel guide, we’re going to share everything we think you need to know to plan the perfect stay in El Valle de Anton. From the best caldera hikes to prioritise and where to go for sunrise, we’ll also cover the natural pools, the waterfalls, and a few things that may not be worth your time or money. There’s also plenty practical and travel better tips, including recommendations on where to eat and stay in town.

This is our guide to El Valle de Antón, Panama.

Note // El Valle de Antón literally means ‘The Valley of Anton’, but it appears that nobody really knows who Antón was. Most people simply refer to El Valle (The Valley), but this can elicit blank stares at airport security and elsewhere in Panama.