El Valle de Antón, Mountain community in Coclé Province, Panama.
El Valle de Antón is situated inside a volcanic crater that is several kilometers wide, positioned at around 600 meters elevation. The area is surrounded by steep forested mountain slopes that form natural walls on all sides of the valley floor.
People have lived in this volcanic crater for a very long time, as shown by archaeological finds in the area. The volcano itself last erupted around 300,000 years ago and shaped the geological landscape that exists today.
The Sunday market shows local craftspeople selling handmade pottery, jewelry, and woven goods by hand. This tradition of making things by hand reflects skills that families in this region have practiced for many generations.
Minibuses run regularly from Panama City to this location, with the final direct bus departing in early afternoon and taking roughly two and a half hours to reach. Arriving in the morning is advisable to have ample time for exploring the area.
The forests here hold one of the last remaining populations of the Panamanian golden frog, a creature that has vanished from nearly everywhere else. Bird watchers visiting this area can spot more than 500 different bird species in the region.
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