The town inside a Crater!
This is
a half day trip. Shorts and T-shirt will be fine, and you can bring a wind
breaker too. Sometimes it gets windy and cool. It is also a good idea to bring
some cash in case that you want to take a visit and shop at the local market.
Do not forget to pack your cameras!
Soon
after you leave Playa Blanca you will start traveling through one of the most
picturesque regions of Panama. Pass the mountains cover by pristine vegetation
and you will see the volcano crater from a distance. As you start descending
into this massive caldera you will experience what it is like to live in a
volcano!
The
6-km-wide El Valle de Antón caldera was formed about 56,000 years ago. Cerro
Pajita, Cerro Gaital, and Cerro Caracoral form a lava dome complex which is the
1185 m highest point of the volcano. The walls of the rim is what remains after
the caldera collapsed and became the valley floor.
Only
Ngorongoro Volcano in Tanzania has a wider single intact caldera. It is
believed that the last eruption happened 13000 years ago.
The
town it has only 6,000 full-time residents who actually live inside the
caldera. The floor of the valley rests over deposits of a former caldera lake
and it is known as one of the fertile soils in the country. El Valle is at 600
m above sea level and the temperature averages 68 F.
A you
drive through the town admire the countless species of flowers, beautiful
gardens and trees. An abundant species of mammals, reptiles, and 500 species of
birds are found in Anton's Valley.
This is home to the famous and near extinct Golden Frog which has become a symbol for Panama.. You can see this frogs at El Nispero, a small zoo where you will also find native animals including sloths and the tiny Tamarin monkey.
This is home to the famous and near extinct Golden Frog which has become a symbol for Panama.. You can see this frogs at El Nispero, a small zoo where you will also find native animals including sloths and the tiny Tamarin monkey.
Visit
the colorful open air market where you can buy directly from the local
artisans. Here you will find variety of handicrafts including the famous
Panama hats. Next to the artisans market you will see stands selling plants,
fruits and vegetables. These are sold by the indigenous who walk every morning
to sell their crops.
El
Valle is a pretty laid back, colorful and tranquil community. Its beauty
and year around cool spring-like weather have made it a second home and tourist
destination for many panamenians.
No
doubt this is one of the favorite places for retirement in the country.
After
the visit to El Valle return to Playa Blanca for lunch and for a free relaxing afternoon.
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