El Valle
Gaital Mountain
El Valle de Anton is during the week a small village nestled in the second largest crater of an extinct volcano, 38 kilometers from the Pacific coast of Panama. On the weekends it is a relaxation and tourist destination. Only 2 hours drive from Panama City, the descent into the valley gives one a breath of fresh air and instant relaxation.
Generally around 10 degrees cooler than the city, with a persistent fresh breeze, it is surrounded by lush, jungle-covered mountain ranges: Gaital to the North, La India Dormida to the West and Cerro Iguana to the South. Most locals travel through town by bicycle or on foot. The daily commute looks a bit like a latin-american bike race, filling the breadth of the street. However on weekends the traffic on Calle Principal can look like cruising the strip. The vegetable and artisan market are a daily event, however on weekends it is a destination for all to check in on the new supply of orchids and plants, fresh vegetables and fruits as well as local arts and crafts.
Many tourists come to El Valle to experience nature. Birding and hiking are popular individual activities but there are some local businesses offering organized activities such as horseback riding, canopy tours, hot springs, El Nispero zoo, orchid exhibit and serpentario exhibit. The Pacific Ocean is only 30 minutes drive where you can relax under a bohio with a cold beer and a fried fish.
Panama is USDA hardiness zone 12, the “ultimate” level on the scale. Technically it means the temperatures do not go below 50 or 60 degrees. El Valle is a bit of a micro-climate and is generally cooler than other parts of Panama. However its gardens are full of flora and fauna both pedestrian and exotic. Fruit trees such as Mango, Orange and Bananas are commonplace. Plants recognized as house plants in the US grow as a a prolific hedge. Several varieties of orchids are native to the area.
Cerro Iguana