This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in El Valle de Antón.
Tucked in the crater of a large, extinct volcano, El Valle de Antón is located high in the mountains of Panama and features a unique, spring-like micro-climate that attracts visitors from all around the world.
With only one main road, this small town is a perfect getaway for anyone interested in getting in touch with nature and experiencing the area’s stunning biological diversity. El Valle de Antón features a butterfly house, an orchid conservation centre, a geological museum, a zoo, and a serpentarium. La Piedra Pintada, petroglyphs located west of the town, is another interesting local attraction.
Hostels and hotels are harder to come by in El Valle de Antón, since this community is so small – but since it has become a fairly popular tourist destination, there are some local accommodation options. Many residents of nearby Panama City own vacation homes in El Valle de Antón, so rentals are plentiful, but inexpensive hostels and exclusive hotels have started to pop up.
With more than 500 species of birds living in the area, El Valle de Antón is a great destination for people looking to do some bird-watching – but active vacationers can also spend time cycling, horseback riding, and hiking in the Panamanian mountains that surround this small town. Things get busy here on the weekends, when locals and Kuna Yala Indians sell handmade goods at El Valle de Antón’s famous arts and crafts market. But everyone quiets down by Sunday evening for a well-deserved rest during ‘India Dormida.”
El Valle de Antón is only about 25km off the Interamerican Highway, which is generally in good driving condition for tourists who prefer to rent a car and drive themselves. Buses are also available to bring visitors from the airport in Panama City to their local hostel or hotel, as well as to a number of other interesting sites in the surrounding area.
Written by local enthusiast for El Valle de Antón hostels
Jakob Lombardi
