Description
Anton Valley “The Old Crater Uniqueness” is a tour that shows you the best highlights of Anton Valley in one day. This day trip from the City of Panama departs with a pickup in your hotel at 8 a.m. It takes about an hour and a half to reach this town located inside an extinct crater. About 8,000 people live in this sleepy town that depends heavily on tourism.
The crater is surrounded by mountains in a higher altitude above sea level which gives the area quite a cool temperature. There is an abundance of ecosystems and species because of the unique microclimate of the area. The first stop on the tour is the El Nispero Zoo which was founded in 1976 as a place for rest of the owners who started acquiring exotic species including ostriches. One of the most curious findings you can see in El Nispero Zoo are the descendants of the tapirs that used to belong to General Noriega. There are 94 species living in the zoo, including birds like peacocks, macaws and pheasants.
Your Anton Valley day tour will take you to El Macho which is a short trail inside a rainforest where you can see birds and other species. Arrive at a waterfall at the end of the trail where you can swim if you want. After the waterfall, you will go to the hot springs to relax in the thermal waters. Change clothes and head towards the El Valle Market which sells beautiful crafts, including pieces of wood and produce. There is time for lunch, which is not included, and then you will head back to Panama City.
The “Exploration” option also includes a visit to the butterfly heaven which has a flight house with over 800 butterflies. Here you will learn about the life cycle of butterflies and information about these beautiful creatures. Then you will go to the petroglyphs in Anton Valley which are known as the “Painted Stone” which some locals say it’s a map for traders or a map of caves within the mountain range. This itinerary also includes a visit to the visitor center museum which was done by the world famous architect Frank Gehry, who also designed the Biomuseum in Panama City. The exploration tour does not include a visit to Chorro El Macho.
Includes:
- Guide
- Roundtrip transportation
- Taxes
- Bottle Water
- Admission fees
Available: year round.
Time: 10 hours.
What to bring? walking shoes, comfortable clothes, rain jacket (green season), bathing suit, towel, change of clothes, cash, credit card and camera.
Important information: this tour can be offered in Spanish, English or French. There is a minimum of two travelers and a maximum of ten. Walking is necessary but this is not a challenging tour so there are no necessary physical conditions. Both options do not include food.
