El Valle de Antón has many attractions, from hiking (India Dormida Hill), trees and endemic animals.
You can take a day trip, spend a whole weekend or longer.
There are people who have been so excited at this place that they stay to live.
What excites me the most about this place is the idea of having all these things inside a Volcano and even more being able to inhabit it.
According to what I have read, there are only three inhabited volcanoes in the world and El Valle de Antón is one of them.
1. Butterfly Haven
It is located in the center of El Valle, it has 3 rooms, where you can see the butterflies flying, the eggs, the caterpillars, the chrysalis and if you are lucky, you can see a butterfly emerging from the chrysalis.
The place explains very well the metamorphosis and life of butterflies, as well as the plants where they like to feed and lay their eggs.
Hours
- Wednesday to Monday.
- 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Prices
- $1.50 children (1 to 12 years).
- $5.00 adults.
- 50% discount for retirees and pensioners (Panamanians and residents).
- 15% for the disabled with a license.
Learn more here.
2. Las Mozas Waterfall
Las Mozas Waterfall has its own legend, but more than that, it is a place where families have a good day.
Although yes, there are 3 waterfalls, you have to walk a bit to see them, so you can have a pleasant time without worrying about the children. The river is neither deep nor wide.
You can go alone to read for a while, have a barbecue or have fun on the river
Hours
- Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Prices
- $1.00 adults.
- $0.50 children.
- $0.75 retirees.
- $0.25 use the toilet.
- free, use the cabins.
Learn more here.
3. El Níspero Zoo
One of the most visited places is El Níspero Zoo, although it was not born as a zoo.
There are a number of animals that can be seen such as: turtles, macaws, tapir, tiger, ñeques, fox, frogs, sheep, peacock, monkeys, crocodile, toucan among many more, there are even ostriches.
El Níspero also has a well that overlooks El Gaital Hill, the largest in the Valle de Antón.
Hours
- Everyday,
- 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Prices
Nationals
- $3.00 adults.
- $1.00 children.
Foreign
- $5.00 adults.
- $2.00 children.
Learn more here.
4. Maravillas Tropicales Serpentarium
Place where you learn about snakes, what to do in case of a bite, how to identify them.
In addition, the place has other animals, such as alligators, turtles, iguanas among others.
Hours
- Everyday.
- From 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (it varies a bit, it is not an exact hours and depends on the visitors).
Prices
Nationals
- $3.00 adults.
- $2.00 children
- $2.50 retirees
Non residents
- $4.00 adults.
- $3.00 children.
Click here and learn more about the place and its location.
5. Square Trees Trail
The trail of the Square Trees can be done in 30 minutes and is quite wooded, but well-marked, it will pass through a bridge over a small river and a viewpoint.
You will see the most attractive of the trail, the square trees, endemic to Panama and that can only be seen in El Valle de Antón.
Hours
- Monday to Sunday
- 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Prices
- $4.00 adults.
- $1.00 children until 15 years.
Learn more here and watch the video where it can be seen clearly.
6. Painting Stone- Petroglyph
It is a huge petroglyph that has an uncertain meaning, there are theories, but nothing definitive.
Some indicate that they are religious symbols, others a harvest calendar and others a map of the place.
It has a short and paved path, just before arriving, you go over a bridge over a river.
The guides who explain the meanings of the stones are children who live nearby, they do not charge, but a tip is appreciated.
Hours
The place does not close as it is a point of passage for some residents.
Prices
- $0.50 children (5 to 12 years)
- $1.00 students (Educational tour), retirees and pensioners.
- $2.00 adults.
- $3.00 foreign.
Learn more here.
7. Hot Springs
If what you are looking for is a spa, a place to relax, and perhaps improve your health, in Valle de Antón there are some hot springs, with facilities for greater comfort.
The place has 5 pools of different depths, dressing rooms, toilets, in addition to volcanic mud.
If you are not sure if you are allergic, you can try anti-allergy mud.
Hours
- Everyday.
- 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Prices
- $4.00 adults (13 years and older).
- $2.00 children (6 to 12 years).
- $2.00 retirees.
- $3.00 pot with mud.
Learn more here.
Where to lodge in El Valle de Antón?
El Valle de Antón is a place very visited by both nationals and foreign tourists. There is a great variety of Hotels.
Hostels: La Casa de Juan, Donde José, Don Quijote, Bodhi,
Cabins: Villa Victoria, Seguras.
Hotels: Valle Paradise, Residencial El Valle, Hotel Campestre, Los Aramos
Hotels with a bit of luxury: Los Mandarios Boutique Hotel & Spa, The Golden Frog Inn, Caracoral Hotel Boutique.
There are more hotels, those are just a few.
Restaurants in El Valle de Antón
Like hotels, there are a variety of restaurants in El Valle, and it will depend on what you like and your budget.
The restaurants of the locals have less luxuries, they are the ones that have the cheapest food, and some are very old.
$: Doña Nella, El Camino Inca, Delicias Interioranas, El Rincón Colombiano.
$$: La Divina Comedia, Don Quijote, Pinocchio`s Restaurante y Pizzería, L´Italiano, Café Unido.
$$$: Casa Florencia, Gula`s, La Tasca de Triana.
For a few years, there are a lot of Italian restaurants in El Valle de Antón, they are very good.
How to get to El Valle de Antón?
By car: Take the Pan-American highway and enter the town of Las Uvas, (near San Carlos), from there it will be about 27km to El Valle.
By bus: it can be taken at the Albrook Terminal, that goes to El Valle de Antón, it can also be taken in the town of Las Uvas (at the entrance to the road to El Valle).
Other places you may like
- El Charco Trail, a Small Trail in Soberanía Park
- El Chorrillo Tour, the Popular Neighborhood, Will It Be Dangerous?
- Hike to La Silla Hill
- Metropolitan Butterfly Farm
- 7 Trails at Metropolitan Natural Park
- The Best Guided Museum in Panama, MUMO, Mola Museum
- An Amazing Day at Emberá Druá Community
