EL VALLE DE ANTON ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ PANAMA

The isthmus we know of as Panama is said to have formed over millions of years with the collision of two tectonic plates in the deep ocean creating a chain of volcanoes that later emerged above the sea surface.ย  El Valle de Anton is a village in the crater of one such ancient volcano surrounded by mountains and clouds just north of Vista Mar Marina and Buenadventura Marina.ย  For many Panamanians that live and work in Panama City, El Valle is the ‘country’ where they visit their family, grow and harvest fruits and vegetables, and/or spend time on the weekends in nature.

el valle de anton
The community thrives in the crater of an ancient volcano.

The town is located in the flat wide caldera of the 6 km wide El Valle volcano that is inactive; there is evidence that it erupted as recently as about 300,000 years ago. Because of its elevation (600 m), it is cooler than the Panamanian lowlands.ย  This cooler climate is a welcome respite from the heat at lower elevations.

windswept trees
Windswept trees hi above El Valle de Anton with a view of the Pacific Ocean

Natural attractions near El Valle include the Chorro El Macho waterfall, Las Mozas waterfall, the โ€œsquareโ€ trees behind Hotel Campestre, and a group of small natural thermal pools. There are many developed hiking trails to walk on.ย  Birding is phenomenal.ย  The area around the town is also known for being one of the last habitats of the critically endangered Panamanian golden frog. Some of the forests around the town are protected areas.

panamanian golden frog
Critically endangered Panamanian golden frog
butterfly
Butterflies are abundant in El Valle in part due to the efforts of the Butterfly Research Station.

The valley is very fertile and produce grows in abundance.ย  There are many people living in and around El valle that sell fresh produce at an open air market in the center of town.ย  In July we found a very wide variety of fruits and vegetables.ย  Some I had never even seen before like this red spikey fruit sold on a branch or by the bushel.

rambutan
Mamon Chino or Rambutan is considered the national fruit of Panama
rambutan fruit
Inside the odd, soft spiney skin is a white, juicy fleshy fruit with a huge seed in the middle.

There are two museums in El Valle de Anton as well.ย  Both highlight the history, culture, biodiversity, and uniqueness of this special place in and of itself, and as it relates to Panama at large.ย  One museum is older, one is quite new; while both tell the same general story, they tell it in very different ways.

A visit to El Valle de Anton is well worth the trip.