El Valle de Anton: Hiking & Nature in the Heart of a Crater

Fifth stop on our Panama road trip: El Valle de Anton! A refreshing destination at the heart of an ancient volcanic crater, El Valle de Anton is an ecological haven with its tall trees. We loved it especially for the hikes and the peaceful atmosphere.

Why Visit El Valle de Anton?

El Valle de Anton is a unique village located inside an ancient volcanic crater. With its cool climate, lush landscapes, and variety of hikes, it’s an ideal stop for nature and adventure lovers.

How to Get to El Valle de Anton

From Panama City: Direct bus from Albrook (2h, ~$4).

From Santa Catalina:
Collectivos:

2h bus to Sona (~$4)
2h Sona to Panama City – ask to stop at El Valle (also called San Carlos or Las Uvas) (~$10)
1h bus from San Carlos to El Valle (~$3.5)

Private/shared transport: Around $45

Things to Do in El Valle de Anton

Day 1: Arrival & Exploring the Town

We arrived around 2-3 PM. We stayed in a beautiful house through a home exchange with HomeExchange.

Know more about home Exchange in our dedicated page

Day 2: Hike to the Sleeping Indian & Cerro La Silla

India dormida Hike

Cette randonnée à ce nom car quand on regarde la crête de loin, elle ressemble à une “indienne” endormie allongée sur le dos.

Duration: 2h30 (at a relaxed pace)
Entry: $3 (main entrance), $0.5 for the return collectivo
Loop: Yes
Difficulty: Easy/Medium

From the main entrance: A gradual climb with scenic viewpoints. The ridge walk is beautiful — usually windy, which was perfect for our picnic. At the end, you’ll reach a road with another viewpoint and a cross. Hitchhike or take a collectivo back to the center ($0.5).

Cerro La Silla Hike

Duration: 1h30
Entry: $5 (main entrance)
Loop: No
Difficulty: Easy

Take a collectivo toward Panama or San Carlos and ask to stop at Los Robles. Follow the road uphill to the ticket booth. There’s no infrastructure, and yet they charge $5 — a bit outrageous. You can ascend via the right (easier trail) or go left for a steeper climb with exposed areas — not ideal if you’re scared of heights or if it’s windy.

We went for the steep route. Afterward, a 20-minute descent takes you to another hill — quick but slippery, not recommended in wet conditions. The sunset views from here are amazing.

Day 3: Cerro Cara Iguana & Local Market

Cerro Cara Iguana Hike

Duration: 2h30
Free
Loop: Yes
Difficulty: Easy/Medium

We started at the point marked “Hiking map here (Start Cerro Cara Iguana)” on Maps.me / Google Maps.

You ascend for about 40 minutes, then at the map board, turn right into a pine forest. The trail isn’t clear at first, but follow Maps.me closely.

The ridge has ups and downs with beautiful views and great benches. You’ll reach “Mirador Punto Cati” — be alert and cautious. The descent is steep in places with loose stones, passing by a small unused environmental center before hitting a dirt road.

We ended the day with a local market visit for souvenirs and caught the last bus to Panama City (usually leaves around 4:30 PM).

Restaurants We Tried in El Valle:

El Rincon Colombiano: Not very professional, wouldn’t recommend.
La Ranita Gourmet: Decent food but slow service.
PA’ YA! : Great burgers

Other Things to Do in El Valle de Anton

El Nispero Zoo & Botanical Garden
- Entry: $5
- Duration: 1h–1h30
- A charming garden with tropical species like golden frogs, monkeys, and exotic birds.
Thermal Pools & Volcanic Mud
- Thermal bath: $3
- Volcanic mud mask: $1
- Location: Pozos Termales in town
Canopy Tour & Zipline (Canopy Adventure El Valle)
- Price: $20–25/person
- Traverse jungle and waterfalls on ziplines. Safe and fun for all ages.
Yoga & Wellness
- Example: The Bodhi Hostel & Yoga
- Class price: $10–12
- Occasional retreats: from $400
Butterfly Haven
- Entry: $7
- Duration: 30–45 min
- Immersive experience with hundreds of tropical butterflies — great for families.

Budget for El Valle de Anton

Accommodation: $30–50/night
Meals: $10–20/day
Local transport: $2–5
Entrance fees & activities: $3–5 or more Estimated Total for 3 Days: $200–300/person