Tuesday, February 18, 2014

El Valle, Panama

A framed image of El Valle greets me every time I enter my kitchen.  The print of a painting, by my talented friend Pirkko Saari, beautifully depicts her visit to the El Valle Artisan market many years ago.  So, when we visited Panama, I knew we simply could not miss a visit to El Valle.

A two-hour scenic drive, El Valle is located about 120 kms Southwest of Panama City.

What to see in El Valle

The Artisan and Vegetable Market - As the subject of the lovely print in my kitchen, this was a must-do visit for us.  Though small, this market is a colorful and interesting place to peruse handcrafts and stock up on delicious local fruit.

Chorro El Macho Waterfall - At 70 meters high, it won't likely be the tallest you've ever seen, but it is located in a beautiful location accessible just a short walk from the parking area.  Pathways are rough and a bit slippery and the route includes a short rope bridge.  Caution is certainly advised if visiting with small children, but the short walk is definitely do-able.  At the time of our visit, B was about 18 months, so I carried him most of the way.  Be sure to use lots of bug repellent as there are a lot of mosquitoes here.

El Nispero Zoo and Botanical Gardens - El Nispero is a small zoo with a large collection of animals and birds and is a pleasant spot to spend a few hours.

We visited El Valle as a day trip, and in hindsight, there was so much to do, it would definitely be worth staying a few days.


For more information on El Valle, visit El Valle Tourism


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