This
small and picturesque town is located 2 hours from the City
of Panama, in the crater of an extinct volcano, five kilometers
to 600 meters (1,968 feet) over the sea level, with a pleasant
climate, courteous people and beautiful nature. Some of the
attractions offered by El Valle de Anton are the golden frogs
(atelopus varius, endemic specie unique in the world) and
square trees, 5-minute walking distance from the Hotel Campestre,
as well as a walk to the hill "La India Dormida".
More than 100 thousand tourists, national as well as foreigners,
visit El Valle during the year and the number increases. El
Valle has more than 250 autochthonous and migratory species
of birds, several rivers and creeks, exuberant vegetation
and a great variety of flora and fauna. In here you can find
several rural hotels cabaña type, attraction sites
for bird watching, facilities for walking (paths), horse rental,
and guide services. It also has a church (San Jose), a museum
(located 500 meters from the craft market), petroglyphs (Pre-Columbian
painted drawings) of painted rocks, El Chorro de las Mozas
(the most visited place by local and foreigners), Chorro El
Macho (85 meter water fall), Zoological Park El Nispero (beautiful
gardens, tropical animals and birds native of the region),
the Sunday craft market, thermal water wells and much more.
How to Get There?
You can
get there by public bus from the Transportation Terminal
of Albrook, at a cost of $3.00 per person (one way).
You can also travel by private or rented car via the
Pan-American Highway, passing San Carlos until reaching
the entrance that reads Valle de Antón (after
the gas station on the right hand), approximately a
99 kilometers (62 miles) journey. From there, you follow
the road some 30 minutes and after a series of curves
and slopes you reach the town of El Valle.
For more information
on tour packages, go to the Section of Tourism Services/Operators.
Peninsula
of Azuero (Veraguas, Herrera and Los Santos)
The
Peninsula of Azuero is located in the central region of the
country, between the Gulf of Montijo and Parita, being part
of the Pacific littoral. It has a territorial extension of
7,616 square kilometers. The Peninsula is formed by the Provinces
of Los Santos, Herrera and part of Veraguas. Its coasts are
composed of mangle, islands and beaches. The Peninsula main
attraction is their traditions, festivities and folklore,
as well as its national parks, wild and marine life, offering
the tourist a unique entertaining adventure.
The Province of Los Santos (capital, Las Tablas)
was
established in 1850. It is considered one of the most
important agricultural and cattle regions of the Republic
of Panama together with the Province of Veraguas.
It is a very picturesque province where you can appreciate
the national traditional customs such as the Folklore.
Also there are different programmed festival activities
such as: National Festival of La Mejorana, Festival
of La Pollera, Festival of Corpus Christi and the
National Fair of Azuero. Every year during the month
of February, its capital, Las Tablas celebrates the
famous carnivals considered the most luxurious and
colorful of the country. This region has important
historic museums such as: Manuel F. Zarate or Museum
of Nationality and the Government Palace, to mention
some.
For nature lovers, in Los Santos you can enjoy an
ecological tourism
by visiting very interesting areas such as the important
Massif (Mountain) of Canajagua, with an altitude of
985 meters, the Occidental Chain of the Peninsula
of Azuero and Isla
Iguana (located 7 kilometers from Pedasí).
This island is very importance for the region and
the country, due to its ecosystem, being declared
in 1980 a "Wildlife Refuge". Its crystalline
waters are inhabited by more than 347 species of fish
and is visited by the humpback whale that emigrates
from the cold waters (between the months of June and
October) to mate and give birth. This island covered
by dry tropical forests, is surrounded by some 40
hectares of coral reef, together with the mangles
of the continental coast and the coastal rock exposure.
It supports craft fishing of which more than 200 families
of the area depend on. Also, it is an important site
for marine bird nesting (more than 62 species).
The Province of Herrera (capital, Chitré)
is
the smallest province of the Isthmus and forms part
of the Peninsula of Azuero. It has an extension of 8,000
hectares composed by mangle, coastal zones and completely
deforested areas in the region. Among its economical
activities we can observe agriculture, as well as the
liqueur and pottery industry. The Province of Herrera
has a desert, “Parque
Nacional de Sarigua” created in 1985
and occupying a littoral stripe on the Pacific between
the outlets of the rivers Santa María and Parita,
in the Bay of Parita. You can also visit certain interesting
places such as museums exhibiting archeological objects
and pottery pieces of the pre-colonial period until
the period of independence. In the town of La Arena,
in the entrance of Chitré, you can visit different
pottery shops for all tastes and designs. The styles
range from imitation of pre-Columbian ornaments to folkloric
images and the uses include crockery and pots for plants,
to mention some. Early 2007, the district of Pesé
(Province of Herrera) will have a new tourist attraction,
"La Hacienda San Isidro" where the company
Varela Hermanos, S.A. is producing at the present time
12 million liters of alcohols and rums per year for
its liqueur brands. During the visit to the Ranch, you
can observe step by step how the famous Seco Herrerano
and Ron Abuelo are produced, as well as visit the distillery
plant and aging cellars.
The Province of Veraguas (capital Santiago)
is
the only province in the Republic of Panama that has
coasts on both oceans (Pacific and Atlantic). Its
population is mainly engaged in agriculture and cattle
raising (the best of the country). Also it has coffee
and sugar zones of great importance for the economy
of the country. In the District of San Francisco de
la Montaña, you find the Church San Francisco
de la Montaña considered the only Colonial
Baroquel art
of the 17th century in all Central America and the
Caribbean, and named Historic Monument.
In the Province of Veraguas you can visit Coiba Island
(the biggest island in Panama), considered one of
the most important natural jewels of our country.
How to get there?
From the City of Panama you can travel via
the Inter-American Highway up to Santiago (approximately
4 hours), using private transportation (private or rented
car) or public transportation from the Terminal of Albrook.
Also you can travel by airplane with a local airline departing
from Marcos A. Gelabert Airport (Albrook).
Province
of Chiriqui (David, Boquete, Volcan, Bambito and Cerro
Punta)
The
Province of Chiriqui is located in the far south occidental
area of the Republic of Panama. It limits in the North with
the Province of Bocas del Toro, South with the Pacific Ocean,
East with the Province of Veraguas and West with Costa Rica.
The highlands are of volcanic origin and occupy great part
of the territory along the Central Cordillera. The high-altitude
mild climate is found on the most elevated areas of the province,
mainly in Cerro Punta, Volcan and Boquete. Due to the variety
of the climate and regions, Chiriqui is one of the most productive
provinces of the country. The coffee of Boquete and its oranges
are considered the best, as well as the strawberries of Cerro
Punta. The city of David is on the coastal level ground. It
is a commercial city, being the center of the prosperous agricultural
and livestock industry, the driving force of the economy of
Chiriqui. The province of Chiriqui has one of the best beaches,
"Las Lajas", at a distance of approximately one
(1) hour via the Inter-American Highway.
In the town of Boquete (45 minutes from
the city of David)
you
can find many opportunities for practicing river rafting
in the rapids of the Chiriqui and Chiriqui Viejo rivers,
enjoying class II, III, IV and V rapids. The biggest
annual event of Boquete is the Flowers and Coffee Fair
during the month of January. However, it is possible
to walk on the area of the fair, located in the bank
of the Caldera River, to observe the flowers during
any season. They are fully radiant between December
and January. Other gardens to visit are: El Explorador,
opened during the weekends and holidays, and the renown
Garden of the Gonzalez Family, freely open to the public.
Other important events in the region are the Orchid
Fair during April and the Ecological Fair during June.
The town of Volcán
Is located
in the mountains of Chiriqui, in the foothills of the
Baru Volcano, west to the town of Concepción.
From its summit (3,475 meters over the sea level) you
can see the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Upon
reaching the Bambito Hotel (5 star hotel), you turn
right until Volcan, a town located in the occidental
side of the Baru Volcano near its summit. It is a small
town but with many tourist attractions, such as restaurants,
craft shops, hotels and others.
The town of Cerro Punta
Punta
is located 10 minutes from Volcan (north of the Province
of Chiriqui) and approximately 1,000 feet over Bambito,
with temperatures ranging between 10° and 20°C
(50°-70°F). This town was colonized by Europeans
for whom livestock and agriculture represented a lifestyle.
Cerro Punta is considered a fertile valley for cultivating
vegetables, flowers, strawberries and raspberry on its
rich volcanic soil. Cerro Punta produces 80% of the
earth products consumed in the country, also exporting
a great variety of flowers. It is also possible to visit
“Haras
de Cerro Punta”, a breeding place of horses
unique in Panama of world excellence and home of many
Panamanian horse world champions in national and international
classics. You can also visit the Dracula Orchid Farm
(botanical garden located 7 minutes walking distance
from Los Quetzales Hotel) or also observe the Quetzals
and stay in Los Quetzales Hotel in the town of Guadalupe.
How to Get there?
From
the City of Panama, via airplane departing from Marcos
A. Gelabert Airport (Albrook) in a flight of approximately
one (1) hour to the City of David, or via the Inter-American
Highway, approximately six (6) hours, using private
transportation (private or rented car) or public transportation
from the Terminal of Albrook.
It
is a beautiful island of volcanic origin of approximately
270,125 hectares located in the Pacific Ocean, south of the
Province of Veraguas. Formerly, it was a penal colony from
1919 to the year 2000, and has been converted into a National
Park due to its great biodiversity (85% of virgin forests,
known for hundreds of variety of plants and animals). The
Island of Coiba is one the biggest National Parks worldwide,
declared by the UNESCO as "Patrimony of Humanity"
and is considered the largest third marine park in the world
after the great barrier reef of Australia and the Galapagos
Island. It is also considered the second biggest coral reef
of the Oriental Pacific and Central America. This woody tropical
island is excellent for fishing and you can appreciate in
abundance species such as tiger shark, whale shark, big manta
rays, dolphins, humpback whales and orcas, the latter using
the waters of the park as route for annual migrations. It
is also a place for spawning of three species of marine turtles. The
Coiba National Park has more than 450 thousand species of
plants, 36 species of mammals, 147 birds, 39 amphibians and
reptiles. This zone is also refuge of the beautiful red Macaw,
the crested eagle, the howler monkey, the white lipped monkey
and the whitetail deer.
For more information on Coiba National Park visit: http://www.coibapanama.com
How to get there?
From the city of Panama you
can travel by road (245 kilometers, approximately 5 hours)
to Santiago de Veraguas; via a local airline, approximately
20 minutes flight time or by sea to Honda Bay. When you
reach Santiago, you take the main road to Puerto Mutis
(25 kilometers), there you take a boat to the island.
Lodging:
You can stay in the Biological
Station of the area, previous authorization of ANAM.
Contact:
Regional Seat of the National
Environmental Authority (ANAM).
Telephone: (507)-998 4271/500-0855, o en las oficinas
del Parque Nacional Coiba.
was
established in 1850. It is considered one of the most
important agricultural and cattle regions of the Republic
of Panama together with the Province of Veraguas.
It is a very picturesque province where you can appreciate
the national traditional customs such as the Folklore.
Also there are different programmed festival activities
such as: National Festival of La Mejorana, Festival
of La Pollera, Festival of Corpus Christi and the
National Fair of Azuero. Every year during the month
of February, its capital, Las Tablas celebrates the
famous carnivals considered the most luxurious and
colorful of the country. This region has important
historic museums such as: Manuel F. Zarate or Museum
of Nationality and the Government Palace, to mention
some.
tourism
by visiting very interesting areas such as the important
Massif (Mountain) of Canajagua, with an altitude of
985 meters, the Occidental Chain of the Peninsula
of Azuero and 
is
the smallest province of the Isthmus and forms part
of the Peninsula of Azuero. It has an extension of 8,000
hectares composed by mangle, coastal zones and completely
deforested areas in the region. Among its economical
activities we can observe agriculture, as well as the
liqueur and pottery industry. The Province of Herrera
has a desert, “
is
the only province in the Republic of Panama that has
coasts on both oceans (Pacific and Atlantic). Its
population is mainly engaged in agriculture and cattle
raising (the best of the country). Also it has coffee
and sugar zones of great importance for the economy
of the country. In the District of San Francisco de
la Montaña, you find the Church San Francisco
de la Montaña considered the only Colonial
Baroquel 
art
of the 17th century in all Central America and the
Caribbean, and named Historic Monument.
The
Province of Chiriqui is located in the far south occidental
area of the Republic of Panama. It limits in the North with
the Province of Bocas del Toro, South with the Pacific Ocean,
East with the Province of Veraguas and West with Costa Rica.
The highlands are of volcanic origin and occupy great part
of the territory along the Central Cordillera. The high-altitude
mild climate is found on the most elevated areas of the province,
mainly in Cerro Punta, Volcan and Boquete. Due to the variety
of the climate and regions, Chiriqui is one of the most productive
provinces of the country. The coffee of Boquete and its oranges
are considered the best, as well as the strawberries of Cerro
Punta. The city of David is on the coastal level ground. It
is a commercial city, being the center of the prosperous agricultural
and livestock industry, the driving force of the economy of
Chiriqui. The province of Chiriqui has one of the best beaches,
"Las Lajas", at a distance of approximately one
(1) hour via the Inter-American Highway.
you
can find many opportunities for practicing river rafting
in the rapids of the Chiriqui and Chiriqui Viejo rivers,
enjoying class II, III, IV and V rapids. The biggest
annual event of Boquete is the Flowers and Coffee Fair
during the month of January. However, it is possible
to walk on the area of the fair, located in the bank
of the Caldera River, to observe the flowers during
any season. They are fully radiant between December
and January. Other gardens to visit are: El Explorador,
opened during the weekends and holidays, and the renown
Garden of the Gonzalez Family, freely open to the public.
Other important events in the region are the Orchid
Fair during April and the Ecological Fair during June.
Punta
is located 10 minutes from Volcan (north of the Province
of Chiriqui) and approximately 1,000 feet over Bambito,
with temperatures ranging between 10° and 20°C
(50°-70°F). This town was colonized by Europeans
for whom livestock and agriculture represented a lifestyle.
Cerro Punta is considered a fertile valley for cultivating
vegetables, flowers, strawberries and raspberry on its
rich volcanic soil. Cerro Punta produces 80% of the
earth products consumed in the country, also exporting
a great variety of flowers. It is also possible to visit
“
It
is a beautiful island of volcanic origin of approximately
270,125 hectares located in the Pacific Ocean, south of the
Province of Veraguas. Formerly, it was a penal colony from
1919 to the year 2000, and has been converted into a National
Park due to its great biodiversity (85% of virgin forests,
known for hundreds of variety of plants and animals). The
Island of Coiba is one the biggest National Parks worldwide,
declared by the UNESCO as "Patrimony of Humanity"
and is considered the largest third marine park in the world
after the great barrier reef of Australia and the Galapagos
Island. It is also considered the second biggest coral reef
of the Oriental Pacific and Central America. This woody tropical
island is excellent for fishing and you can appreciate in
abundance species such as tiger shark, whale shark, big manta
rays, dolphins, humpback whales and orcas, the latter using
the waters of the park as route for annual migrations. It
is also a place for spawning of three species of marine turtles.
The
Coiba National Park has more than 450 thousand species of
plants, 36 species of mammals, 147 birds, 39 amphibians and
reptiles. This zone is also refuge of the beautiful red Macaw,
the crested eagle, the howler monkey, the white lipped monkey
and the whitetail deer.