If the unique checklist of a tropical rainforest with cascading waterfalls, hot springs and a quaint mountain village dropped in the centre of an extinct volcanic crater is exactly what you are thirsty for, than El Valle in the Anton valley is what you are after. I know this sounds like a dramatically obscure request but toss in pleasant evening temperatures and restaurants that will rival your favourites from back home and this sums up our El Valle experience all wrapped together with a Christmas bow tied on top.

After catching an Uber from downtown Panamá City for a couple bucks we were at the entrance to the Albrook bus station. The one station in the capital that can take you anywhere, not just in the city but also the country and even link you directly to the international airport and the rest of the world (insert dramatic music of your choice here). It also has an attached mega-mall and its own airport if you are looking to increase your anxiety levels. As we walk through the double doors of somewhere within this monstrosity we cross our fingers and hope for the best. We spot a security guard first thing and ask for directions to the El Valle ticket counter. He points down the surprisingly empty corridor and we casually walk the 45m to the window. Well that was easy! We purchased four tickets for $8.50 and the pleasant lady behind the glass ushered us through the turnstiles for an extra $1 and saved us the hustle and expense of purchasing a Panamá City Rapid-pass card to get through ($2 for the card and $0.25 each for the turnstiles). After the 10 minute wait we loaded onto the 30 passenger air conditioned bus and were on our way. Three hours later with seemingly hundreds of stops for people to get off and on at their free choice we arrived at our destination. With a short side street walk we checked into our resting place for the following four nights, Hostel Lopez. We had a pleasant one bedroom place with pullout sofa and fridge, hammock and seats on the front deck and shared kitchen in the garden.

First thing on our agenda was a late lunch meal for our travel day stomachs. Back to the main road we stopped in at Carlitos for half a dozen fresh baked empanadas that quickly turned into a couple more drinks and a full size pizza with leftovers.

With now bulging tummies and a rain cloud passing we hit the streets for a little meander. An hour or so later we had returned to our room with evening snacks, breakfast and lunch fixings. We spent the remainder of the evening relaxing outdoors while the girls watching the turtle pond and examined the train of leaf cutter ants and their cargo choices.

Day two started with a morning jog from Shannon and breakfast within our room. We packed up some sandwiches and hit the streets. Two kilometres down the way we reached our destination for the day of the El Nisparo Zoo. For some unknown reason we were unsure on what to expect from this place but thankfully our gut feeling proved us incorrect. We spent the next couple hours casually meandering through a borderline overgrown jungle that opened up to pens and cages housing Central America’s rainforest wildlife.

There were colourful birds of all shapes and sizes, local deer amongst the trees, various monkeys swinging in their playgrounds, glass enclosures housing snakes and lizards, even tapir sleeping in the dirt. Everyone’s favourite however was the beautiful and majestic jaguars with their spotted black and golden coats. The pair were fairly active as they strolled around their enclosure and wrestled each other on the ground. Needless to say we all left the grounds for our walk back with a pleasant experience overall.

Our next activity took us deeper into the foliage as we took a hike into one of the many trails and up onto the India Dormida. The trail starts with a $3.00 entrance fee per person (kids free) and a walk up a paved path. Being the weekend it was fairly busy with local tourists but the crowds were not a deterrent. Over the first 20 minutes the path turned to soil and the people thinned to a few. The path takes you along side the creek crossing over it a couple times and opening up to various waterfalls and pools where you can stop to take a refreshing dip or splash the jungle sweat from your face.

As you climb higher and higher your clothes become inevidably drenched as the 90% humidity and 32 degrees heat takes its toll on you. Eventually you pop out the foliage and find your self walking the summit ridge.

The view of the city below just add colour to the view with the various blues, reds and whites of the houses and roofs below. From this vista you can witness the full circle of the ancient volcanic rings with El Valle located within the centre. We are now actually standing on the rim of the volcano and it is hard to imagine how volatile this colossal void would have been back in its prime.

Once returning back to town the way we came we settled back in at another one of the local restaurants for a spectacular pasta dishes. Being late December we also noticed the town preparing for something. After a long wait after dark the Main Street was shut down as Christmas festivities were about to take place. There was marching bands, floats, fireworks and a full parade underway.

Unfortunately however between the loud noises, random locals approaching in festive spirit, stray dogs running about and the late night, we retreated back to our room before the excitement had even really started.

After a small handful of days in this quaint mountain town we quickly settled into their lifestyle. With numerous hiking trails, cooler nights, relaxed atmosphere and hot spring dotting the surrounding we can easily understand why El Valle is a desired destination for both locals and tourists. The close proximity to Panamá city drive an influx of locals over the weekend but this should not be a detour at for anyone searching for the next location on their Panamá visit.

Visit our previous location of Panamá City

Or continue on to Bocas Del Toro.