Major city · Panama
El Valle de Antón
Give El Valle 2 nights: one full day for the ridge hike and market, one for the zoo, frogs and mud baths. Day-tripping from Panama City costs 3–4 h in the car.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PAB
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (drier)
- avoid Sep–Nov (wettest; trails muddy)
- Airport
- PTY
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Panama ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Panama's National Migration Service or a Panamanian consulate; proof of onward travel and funds may be asked for.
- Panama ↗Do not travel independently in the Darién; the UK and other governments warn against parts of it, and there is no road crossing to Colombia.
- Panama ↗Guna Yala (San Blas) is governed by the Guna people: visitor fees apply, and photography of people usually needs permission and payment. Book through Guna-run or licensed operators.
El Valle sits inside a dormant volcanic caldera about 2 h from Panama City, at roughly 600 m, so it runs cooler than the coast. The village is small and walkable; the draws are hikes on the crater rim, a farmers market, an amphibian rescue centre and an orchid nursery. Two nights covers it without rushing.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about El Valle de Antón, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the balboa (PAB), fixed 1 to 1 with the US dollar; US dollar notes are the paper money in use, with Panamanian coins.Panama-wide
- SIM or eSIMMás Móvil, Tigo and Digicel SIMs at Tocumen and in malls; passport required.Panama-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Panama City and most towns; drink bottled on the islands and in Bocas.Panama-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% if not added.Panama-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Panama-wide
- SafetyEl Valle is a small, low-crime interior town; the real risks are wet, slippery trails, unlit roads after dark and cash-only small businesses.
- RestroomsWestern toilets; basic outhouses on San Blas islands.Panama-wide
- Emergency numbers911 All emergencies · 104 police · 103 fire
- Sundays & holidayscheckCarnival and the November holidays close offices; Miraflores Locks open daily (check hours).Panama-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPTY Tocumen International, Panama City (About 2–2.5 h by road to El Valle; no airport in the valley.).
- Getting aroundThe valley floor is flat and small: walk or rent a bicycle.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$1.50–3
- Sit-down mealRestaurant dinner, mid-range$10–20
- Street or quick mealLocal set lunch (almuerzo)$4–8
- Beerlocal bar / supermarket$1–2.50$1–1.50
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi within the valleyAgree the fare first.$2–5
- Museum or sight ticketZoo or amphibian centre entrycheck$3–10
- Budget bedHostel or camping bed, a night, per personPAB 15
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per roomPAB 85
- High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per roomPAB 160
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PAB 45 · Mid PAB 85 · High PAB 170
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PTY Tocumen International, Panama City (About 2–2.5 h by road to El Valle; no airport in the valley.)
Weather and climate
El Valle de Antón: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
29°C84°F
20°C68°F
6 rd
Feb
30°C86°F
20°C68°F
4 rd
Mar
30°C86°F
21°C70°F
4 rd
Apr
30°C86°F
21°C70°F
7 rd
May
29°C84°F
22°C72°F
15 rd
Jun
29°C84°F
22°C72°F
17 rd
Jul
29°C84°F
22°C72°F
17 rd
Aug
29°C84°F
22°C72°F
17 rd
Sep
29°C84°F
22°C72°F
18 rd
Oct
28°C82°F
22°C72°F
19 rd
Nov
28°C82°F
22°C72°F
17 rd
Dec
29°C84°F
21°C70°F
10 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The valley floor is flat and small: walk or rent a bicycle. Local taxis and vans handle the trailheads and outlying hotels; agree the fare first. A car helps for Cerro Gaital and Cerro La Silla, which start outside the village.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 2–2.5 h
Bus from Albrook to El Valle, or drive the Pan-American Highway then the valley road
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep in the city instead.
Coronado
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Local bus or car down to the Pan-American Highway
Beach and services stop, not a sight in itself.
Gamboa
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h
Car via the Pan-American Highway and the Canal road
Pair with a Canal-side night rather than a return trip.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Village centre (near the market)
Walk to restaurants, the market and most trailheads; best if you have no car.
Calle El Hato / north side
Quieter, spread out, some hotels and guesthouses; 10–20 min walk to the centre.
Valley fringe (Hotel Campestre area)
Green and calm, about a 20-min walk into town; good for a pool and a car.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $35–60 excl. bed
- Mid
- $60–110 excl. bed
- High
- $110+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × PAB 85 | PAB 170 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × PAB 85 | PAB 340 |
| Bus Panama City (Albrook) → El Valle, one way2 × PAB 5 · check | PAB 10 |
| Trailhead entry fee, foreigners2 × PAB 5 · check | PAB 10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × PAB 15 | PAB 30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PAB 56 |
| Trip total≈ PAB 154 per person per day, bed included | PAB 616 |
2026 estimate in US dollars (Panama uses US notes; the balboa is at par). Flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $1.50–3 |
| Local set lunch (almuerzo) | $4–8 |
| Restaurant dinner, mid-range | $10–20 |
| Beer, local bar / supermarket | $1–2.50 / $1–1.50 |
| Taxi within the valleyAgree the fare first. | $2–5 |
| Zoo or amphibian centre entrycheck | $3–10 |
| Bicycle rental, per daycheck | $8–15 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Trails get slippery after rain; wear grip shoes and start early.
- Some trailheads charge an entry fee for foreigners (about $5; check on site).
- Bring cash: smaller places and taxis may not take cards.
- Weekend nights near the main street can be noisy around holidays.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies
- 911
- Police
- 104
- Fire
- 103
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
El Valle de AntónEl Valle de Antón
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies911
- Police104
- Fire103
Embassy
No embassies in El Valle; embassies and consulates are in Panama City.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Albrook (Panama City) → El Valle: about $5, 2–2.5 h (check)
- Taxi within the village: $2–5, agree first
- Trailhead entry, foreigners: about $5 (check)
Say or show
- Buenos días — Good morning (BWEH-nos DEE-as)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-to KWES-ta)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-ta por fa-VOR)
- ¿Dónde está el sendero? — Where is the trail? (DON-de es-TA el sen-DE-ro)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWEH-do pa-GAR kon tar-HE-ta)
Cash is king in the valley; carry small notes.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for El Valle de Antón. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr (drier) · avoid Sep–Nov (wettest; trails muddy) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PTY: last bus and drive times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: market and centre, India Dormida trailhead, El Nispero and the orchid nursery, the mud baths.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (amphibian centre, zoo, orchid nursery, trailheads) and eat pages with last orders.
- Wet-season and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.