No visit to Panama is complete without checking out El Valle de Anton. It鈥檚 one of the most sought after areas for both nature lovers, and those who appreciate small town Panamanian culture. In fact, there鈥檚 so much to do there for outdoor enthusiasts, that we had to split our latest blog post in two parts. So, to follow up on last week鈥檚 鈥淓l Valle, Panama: An oasis of outdoor adventure and fun! (Part 1)鈥, here鈥檚 the second part of our review on all of the great things you can do in this wonderful little Panama town.
Hike La India Dormida. This is probably Panama鈥檚 most well-known mountains, and one of the most popular hikes (on par with Volcan Baru in Chrirqui) for adventurers of all ages, from all nations. The trail is a pretty good workout, but nothing that a novice couldn鈥檛 handle if in good health. You can get a first-hand experience of multiple levels of Panamanian flora and fauna, as you ascend to around 3,000 ft (700 meters). The temps can get a bit chilly as you go up, and prepare for some sort of rainfall, even in the dry season. There are many tourism companies that have guided hikes, and some will even bring you directly from the city. Once at the top, you can see coast to coast, so bring a good camera!
Check out the Artisan & Vegetable Market.If you鈥檙e in town after a long few hours of hiking, or just want to do some local exploring of the village, this market is the perfect place. It鈥檚 got some great Panamanian produce, creative local food, and of course, artisan crafts for purchasing. The market is very open and friendly, and a great way to both practice your Spanish, and get better acquainted with the fresh produce and creative arts in El Valle, Panama.
Zoo El Nispero. Keeping in the tradition of animal sanctuaries and learning experiences, you should make it a point to check out the Zoo El Nispero. It鈥檚 a very well renowned zoo that showcases a huge array of Panamanian animals that you wouldn鈥檛 normally get to see as a tourist. It鈥檚 also home to a world renowned amphibian conservation center, and serves as a biodiversity education point for many of Panama鈥檚 scientists and students. People of all ages can look at, learn about, and experience the presense of some of the most amazing animals on earth. Entry is cheap ($5 for adults, $2 for children), and you鈥檒l find that the animals are treated extremely well, and in amazingly modern and comfortable habitats.
