El Valle de Anton or The Anton Valley or just El Valle as the locals refer to it is an incredibly beautiful spot in Panama located in a mountainous region in the Cocle Province. The entire town is located inside a volcanic crater creating an incredible environment with the town being surrounded on all sides by amazing mountains and hikes and waterfalls and jungle and rich wildlife.
One wild thing about the town though is the actual fact it is located inside a volcanic crater, apparently it is the only town in the world located in a volcano and it is pretty crazy to think about that at some point in time a group of people just decided the best place they could live was inside a volcano. Unknowingly though they created a tourist hot spot that is filled with dozens of things to do. Here is a list of the best things in El Valle that Sara and I got up to while we were there.
Hiking Cerro La Silla
So this was actually our favorite activity while in El Valle de Anton. This was a super beautiful hike that was pretty easy overall but blessed us with incredible views over the volcanic crater and town that is El Valle de Anton whilst also being able to see the ocean and a few other great hikes in the area! Best viewed at either Sunrise or sunset this incredible hike should be on everyone’s list that visits El Valle.
For more info see full post here: Hiking Cerro La Silla in El Valle de Anton
Hiking La India Dormida for Sunrise
Hiking La India Dormida in El Valle de Anton is probably the most popular sunrise hike in the area. It is a short but somewhat intense at times hike that only takes about 45 minutes to an hour from town, making it a perfect option for anyone without their own transport as nothing needs to be arranged. Just walk out the door of your hostel and in the direction of the mountain for a perfect way to start your day.
The mountain gets its name because it looks like a sleeping lady and there is a whole story behind El Valles Sleeping Lady goes like this.
Legend has it that the youngest daughter, Luba, also known as Airflower of Chief Urraca was somewhat the rebellious young lady. And that despite years constant fighting between her father’s Tribes in the Anton crater and the Spanish she managed to fall in love with a Spanish Official who lived in the town.
While this was going on there was a brave warrior from her tribe called Yaravi that was in love with Luba, but Luba did not love him back. This was too much for Yaravi to handle and he threw himself off of a mountain taking his own life while Luba watched confused.
While Luba was not in love with Yaravi she did not want to betray her own tribe and in a grief-stricken panic, she took off into the forest and was lost. She eventually died here leaving behind the legend of the Sleeping Indian.
There is a $3 dollar entrance fee so take a few dollars with you.
For more info see full post here: Hiking La India Dormida in El Valle de Anton
Swim in the waterfalls at La India Dormida
This one might depend on the time of year you are there but on the shoulder seasons and during the rainy season, there are several waterfalls running down the mountain from La India Dormida which make for a perfect spot to cool off with a little swim after a big sweaty hike.
The pools themselves are these beautiful little pools with small falls running into them. There is no real trail to them but when you are hiking back down you will be able to hear the water running and you can just kind of head towards the sound from there and you should find a few. That was how we found them anyway.
See the Petroglyphs at La India Dormida
So obviously La India Dormida has a lot to offer hence why it is one of the most popular things to do in El Valle. The petroglyphs are fairly early on in the hike so if you are going up for sunrise you will want to catch these on the way back down when you can actually see them. Also, the entrance to the park is $3 so unless you want to pay that twice make sure you catch them before you head back out of the area!
Hiking Cerro Cara Iguana
This was another super fun hike that we did after hiking La India Dormida for sunrise in the morning. The hike can either be down from town or you can get a lift up the hill to the start of the trail knocking off a little time and effort.
The hike itself is pretty short especially if you do get a lift up the hill but despite this, it offers some of the most amazing views of El Valle de Anton due to its long ridgeline sticking out into the middle of the crater. You also have an amazing view of El Valle’s entire volcanic crater as well as the surrounding mountains. If we were to do this again we would have done it for either sunset or sunrise but as luck would have it, being the wet season we made the call to go when the weather looked the driest.
For more info see full post here: Hiking Cerro Cara Iguana in Anton Valley
Visit the Butterfly Farm
Anton Valley has a butterfly farm called El Mariposario or the butterfly farm. It is filled with hundreds of exotic butterflies that visitors can completely immerse themselves in. There are guided tours that will explain the complete evolution of a butterfly.
Hot Springs or Pozos Termales
We didn’t actually know El Valle had hot springs until we got there and started looking around and the hot springs are cool to kill some time or just relax after a nice long hike but we expected something a little different. The pools are nice but they are all more like man-made concrete pools rather than natural hot spring pools you might find else where in nature. Still epic and nice to relax in but if you are on a strict time schedule I would not put this on top of the list.
There is an entrance fee of $3.
Discover the Orchid Center
This probably would not have been on the radar if it was not for Sara but I am super stoked we went and saw this. Panama’s national flower is really epic looking flower well worth checking out. La Orquideria in El Valle is a super cool little place with a lot of different plants on display but the highlight is definitely Panama’s national flower. The entrance fee here was $2.
Golden Frog tour
Native to Panama the golden frog is a pretty special looking little animal. While you’re in El Valle de Anton get yourself to the Golden Frog Inn and get them to show you to the entry of the Golden Frog Hike. Once there it is a nice relaxed hike with beautiful views over the town.
Shop at the Local Farmers Market
There is not really a whole lot of places to shop in El Valle de Anton anyway but this is a fun little highlight. Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as little local trinkets. If you’re in Anton Valley I would do my shopping here first before hitting one of the local supermarkets.
Where to stay in El Valle de Anton.
Ok so now we have covered things to see and do while in Anton Valley here are a few recommendations on where to stay.
Rooms can get a little expensive on the weekends especially with it being so close to Panama City and with its popularity amongst the locals so if you have to luxury of time try and get there during the week. You will, however, want to spend at least 3 to 5 days in the valley so you can experience everything it has to offer.
Budget: Bodhi Hostel & Lounge – The go-to spot for backpackers and budget travelers. Bodhi Hostel has a super laid back vibe with everything you need including wifi, kitchen, and garden. This was our main choice being on a budget but still looking for something nice and clean and fun. There are always other options though.
Midrange: The Golden Frog – Free bike rental is huge! There is also an outdoor pool and the rooms are beautiful.
Luxury: Royal Decameron Panama All Inclusive – A little outside the valley but are able to organise anything you need.
What Camera Gear We Use.
- Digital Camera: Sony A7riii
- Drone: DJI Mavic Pro
- Landscape Lens: Sony 16-35mm F2.8
- GoPro: GoPro Hero 12 Black
- Favorite Lens: Sony 24-70mm F4
- Circular Polarizer: Hoya Digital PRO1
- Power Bank: Anker Portable Charger (A little heavy but amazing especially for multiday adventures)
- Tripod: Vanguard VEO 2 265AB
Gear we use
- Rain Jacket: Arcteryx Beta
- Hiking Boots: SALOMON Quest 4 GTX
- Reusable bottle: Sawyer filtered water bottle
- Dry Bag: Earth Pack 20L
- Headlamp: BLACK DIAMOND Headlamp
- Headphones: Jaybird Vista – Little update on these headphones. Its been a few years now since I got these and they are the most comfortable headphones I have ever used. I have been through a few other pairs as the years went on (beats, sony, JBL) for better sound quality but I always end up putting them in a draw as a backup pair and go back to these.
