Nestled in the mountains in the Province of Cocle, is El Valle de Anton, a resort town with many attractions. Popular with ex-Pats as a retirement community, it nonetheless retains its natural Panamanian roots. There are many beautiful villas and country homes here, owned by wealthy Panamanian city-dwellers.
The town is located on the site of an extinct volcano, which has endowed the area with hot springs and fertile soil, which benefit the wide range of flowers and vegetables grown here.
El Valle is 120km from Panama City, traveling West along the Pan American Highway, it is signposted to the right, just after the town of San Carlos. The drive alone is worth the trip as the views from the mountaintops are quite breathtaking. There are many local cafes and restaurants along the way to suit all tastes and budgets.
Arriving in the town itself, look out for Los Mandarinos Hotel, which boasts an excellent restaurant “La Casa de Lourdes”. Sitting on the terrace overlooking the gardens and fishpond is a truly relaxing experience.
Further on, look for a picture of a parrot on a sign, the only indication to turn right for the local Nispero Zoo and plant nursery. For $2 entrance fee, you can happily wander through the gardens enjoying the many exotic birds, monkeys and wildlife which live here including the rare golden frog. Also on show is the “Flower of the Holy Spirit”, a rare orchid, which is Panama’s native flower.
For the adventurous visitors, there is the Canopy adventure, where guests can fly above the jungle through a series of cables, platforms and pulleys. Another popular destination is the mud baths – a cleansing if somewhat messy experience, and definitely not one for the photo album!
Finally, at the weekends, there is an excellent market where locals gather to offer an impressive variety of plants and flowers at very “local” prices. They also sell handicrafts, rattan furniture and handmade jewelry. It is a very friendly and interesting way to meet the locals and see native Panama.
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