El Valle de Antón Travel Guide: Panama’s Town Inside a Volcano
El Valle de Antón is one of Panama’s most unusual places: an entire town built inside the crater of an extinct volcano. At 600 meters above sea level, it stays refreshingly cool while the coast swelters — which is why it’s been the capital’s favorite weekend escape for generations.
What to do
- Chorro El Macho — a 35-meter waterfall in private cloud-forest reserve.
- La India Dormida — the classic crater-rim hike with views over the whole valley.
- Hot springs (Pozos Termales) — mineral pools and volcanic mud masks.
- Sunday market — orchids, crafts and mountain produce.
- Square trees & butterfly haven — quirky, family-friendly stops.
How to get there
El Valle sits just off the Pan-American Highway at the Las Uvas junction. Our shuttle from Panama City costs $45 and drops you at set pickup points — no bus terminal shuffle. Coming from the beach? We also connect Santa Catalina ↔ Las Uvas ($45–$60).
Make it a route
El Valle is the perfect first stop on the classic loop: Panama City → El Valle → Boquete → Santa Catalina for Coiba National Park. Check live prices in the route finder on our home page, or see our 5-day itinerary on the Coiba Tours page.
Getting around Panama
We run shared and private shuttles linking Panama City, Santa Catalina, Boquete, Bocas del Toro, David and more — plus Coiba National Park day tours from Santa Catalina.