Visiting Anton Valley, Panama | The town inside a volcanic crater

Exploring Anton Valley Where to stay Where to eat How to get around

If you're visiting Anton Valley soon, you've come to the right place. After reading this guide, you'll know which area to stay in, where to find the best restaurants and how to get around this tranquil town in Panama.

What to expect in Anton Valley

Have you ever stayed inside a volcanic crater? For most of us, the answer is no. 

Anton Valley is the largest inhabited volcanic crater in the world. When you see this town, you’ll soon realise why the residents decided to build here all those years ago. It’s absolutely stunning! And the volcano is extinct, so there’s no need to worry.  

Is Anton Valley worth visiting?

Completely surrounded by ridges, mountains and waterfalls, Anton Valley is a hiker's haven. There are countless trails for you to embark on, offering panoramic views as a reward for your hard work. 

It’s also a place to disconnect from the rest of the world. Your only disturbance will be the sounds of the birds. Anton Valley has over 350 species of birds!

If you’re a hiker, nature-lover or looking for a few days' rest, Anton Valley should be on your Panama itinerary.

Top tip: Anton Valley has its own microclimate, with spring-like temperatures for most of the year. It can get cold in the evenings, so make sure to bring something warm.

How long should you spend in Anton Valley?

This completely depends on how much you like hiking. There are enough hikes in Anton Valley to keep you there for weeks. Some people are happy enough to do a couple hikes and move on.

We would recommend a minimum of four days in Anton Valley. This gives you enough time to take on a few hikes and really immerse yourself in nature. There are some beautiful accommodations that are ideal for a break from travelling.

To help you make the most of your time in  Anton Valley, we’ve put together a list of the top things to do in  Anton Valley.

Where to stay in Anton Valley

Anton Valley is relatively small, covering only 35 km². When it comes to picking where to stay, this is great news! Wherever you choose to stay, you’ll be at the heart of this little crater town. 

All you have to do is pick the accommodation that’s right for you. That’s the hard part, as there are so many incredible places to choose from.

To help you out, our two favourite places to stay are: 

• Bodhi Hostel & Lounge — a favourite amongst travellers. Incredible views, the best staff and a great vibe. 

• The Golden Frog Inn — the views are so good that you’ll never want to leave your balcony. There’s an outdoor swimming pool and a delicious onsite restaurant (Volcanito’s mentioned below).

Top tip: Locals from Panama City flood to Anton Valley at the weekend. Rooms can get quite pricey and booked up at this time. 

Best places to eat in Anton Valley

For such a small town, Anton Valley has some exceptional food spots. The restaurants and cafes really know how to utilise the local ingredients available at their fingertips. 

The beautiful setting also adds to the tastiness of the food. It’s hard to complain when you’re surrounded by some of the most magnificent nature.

To make sure you eat at the best places in Anton Valley, here are our top 3 spots:

Volcanito — the best food in Anton Valley?

A relatively new addition to Anton Valley’s food scene, Volcanito has become a fast favourite. Situated in The Golden Frog Inn hotel, the restaurant serves dishes bursting with flavour. You can really taste the freshness of the ingredients!

We recommend trying the tasty tacos, or the juicy and succulent steak. Don’t worry, if you’re vegan or vegetarian there are plenty of options too.

Casa de Lourdes — delicious food in the perfect setting

Fancy something fancy? Casa de Lourdes offers top-quality food. Presented like a Michelin-star restaurant, but without the price tag! The portions are huge, so there’s no doubt that you’ll leave full and satisfied. 

The setting and ambience make this place even better. Surrounded by nature, there’s no need for music here. The wildlife provides the soundtrack.

La Ranita Gourmet — dishes from all around the world

Situated right at the centre of Anton Valley, La Ranita Gourmet is convenient and mouth-wateringly good. From the street, the fairy lights, foliage and wall art draw people in. 

But it’s the food that keeps people coming back. The menu boasts both classic Panamanian dishes, such as fried fish with patacones (fried plantain), as well as dishes from all around the world — falafel, schnitzel, fish and chips.

How to get around in Anton Valley

By foot

Anton Valley is a very walkable place due to its size. Most accommodations are within walking distance of restaurants, shops and cafes. Walking doesn’t just happen on the hikes here!

Luckily, most of the trailheads are reachable by foot. For example the Cerro Cara Iguana and La India Dormida hikes.

By bus

We don’t blame you if the thought of adding more walking to the already long hikes is too much for you. Also, some of the walks to the trailheads aren’t that interesting. 

If this is the case for you, then there are buses that run to popular spots around Anton Valley. Most of them can be caught from the main road and will have the name of their destination on their windscreen. 

Simply flag down the bus/van and pay directly to the driver.

By taxi

There are taxis in Anton Valley, but they’re not in abundance. You might find it hard to pick one up from the streets. So if you do need a taxi, we’d recommend asking your accommodation to book one for you.

By car

Anton Valley is a popular destination for Panamanians. They often use their own cars to drive to Anton Valley and then use them to get around. 

This can be a good idea for you too as it gives you the flexibility to explore the area without having to rely on public transport.

In summary

Now that you’ve finished reading this guide, you're almost ready for your adventure in Anton Valley. The next step is to create your personalised itinerary with our top picks of what to do in Anton Valley. Simply choose your favourite activities and places to visit, and you're all set to make lasting memories in Panama.