El Valle is considered a
perfect day or week-end trip from Panama City. Panoramic
mountain views, outdoor markets displaying handicrafts, exotic
fresh foods and unique specialties, adventure and extreme
sports, bike and horseback riding, Canopy Adventure, tropical
zoo, bird watching are just the appetizer to entice you to
visit this versatile exciting region.
El Nispero Zoo & Plant Nursery
In
1978, two Panamanian professionals planted and cultivated
exotic plants and flowers starting a nursery on their private
land. The introduced foreign species of birds and mammals. The
zoo in El Valle del Anton, opened in 1991 is excellent
location to view the famous golden frogs. Additionally one can
stroll through to enjoy the numerous animal and plant species,
including various types of monkeys, birds, iguanas, etc.
Exotic birds, such
as Toucans, Peacocks, Parrots are also on display.
There is a well maintained trail
taking 1-2 hours through the park. This is one of the most
popular and most frequented tourists destinations as one sees
animals native to region, not generally seen in American or
European zoos. The plant nursery contains more then 200 orchid
species, native and ornamental plants to purchase . In center
of this outstanding place is a fish tank with Japanese carp
and directly opposite are boa constrictors and the golden
frogs. A visit to El Nispero Zoo is memorable experience
Canopy Adventure Tour
This adventure of a lifetime
experience is an exhilarating, awesome ride in securely
fastened harness through the canopy of a rainforest. Daring
adventurers can take advantage of the famous "Canopy Adventure
Tour" where visitors can fly above the jungle floor through a
series of cables, platforms and pulleys. All senses will be
awakened in the extraordinary beauty of nature as you say
good-bye to green carpet jungle floor below and fly above the
magnificent canopy and take in the natural beauty of El Valle..
Bird Watching
Possibly the most outstanding
opportunity for bird watching is available in forests of El
Valle because of the unbelievable assortment with over
thirteen species of hummingbirds, the green hermit, the
violet-headed hummingbird and the white-tailed emerald. Many
varieties of sparrows make this their home. In the nearby
foothill area, uncommon and rarely seen birds can be viewed
such as Barred Forest Falcon, Mottled Owl, Spotted Wood
creeper,
numerous Black-chested Jays and twenty species of Tanagers.
Bird watching here is superb and enthusiasts will enjoy the
outing which will prove a photographer's delight.
El Valle Museum
Within this
fascinating museum one finds a chronological history of the
region, 1500 years old Pre- Colombian art, clay pots, Indian
funeral urns, fine collection of Petroglyphs (stone writings)
from the Nispero area. Amazing to view are colonial
religious art showing paintings and figures from the San Jose
Evangelista and art from Quito, Ecuador, a copy of Murillo"s
La Virgen Alada. Folkloric dresses from last century and Cu-Cuas which are costumes made from bark, painted with
vegetable dyes are on display along with the Polleras
(national dress for women). There is a good primitive art and
geological history of the valley with aerial photographs and
well done laminas representative of the area.
Hiking
Hiking in one of the
beautiful regions on earth is not to be missed! For a good
workout,” a hike to top of Sleeping Indian Woman ( La
India Dormida) is recommended. (see story below) This takes
approximately three hours during which one gets spectacular
views of the valley, tour of native sugar cane mill and a
refreshing dip in the mountain waterfall at journey's end.
Another choice is the nature trail in the cloud forests of Gaital National Monument nature preserve. On this hike, one
can observe wildlife and learn about the unique cloud forest
habitat. Active conservationist guide will show El Valle's
flora and fauna.
The India Dormida (sleeping indian
girl)
India Dormida is a
beautiful mountain that stands out in the cordillera and looks
like the silhouette of a sleeping Indian girl. The legend goes
that an Indian maiden, the daughter of the Indian Chief Urraca,
named Flor del Aire ('Air Flower'), fell in love with one of
the Spaniards that conquered the area. Her lover, a strong and
aggressive warrior called Yaravi, seeing that she paid no
attention to him and fell in love with the Spaniard, committed
suicide in front of her and the whole town. This situation
motivated Flor del Aire to forget the Spaniard to avoid the
betrayal of her own people and she decided to wander through
the mountains crying the disgrace of her destiny. And, it is
said, wandering through the mountains she died looking up
towards the sky at the top of the mountains and immortalizing
the feelings, her silhouette remains as a symbol of true love.
Market
The popular Crafts Market is major Sunday activity held
on the main road in heart of town. Everyone gathers to sell
and buy vegetables , plants, flowers, basketwork and the
famous carved soap stones, ceramics, trays, wooden furniture,
bamboo cages and orchids along with other agricultural
products.
Sales begin as early as seven and people mingle and shop until
late afternoon. This traditional Sunday Market is attended by
locals and residents of neighboring towns offering chance to
visit however tourists passing by are immediately attracted by
the fiber baskets, hats, and famous terra cotta hens.
Across from the market are signs of modernization with super
market, gas station and post office.
Golf
Just a short drive to one of the best professional
golf courses in Latin America created by the famous designers
Tom and George Fazio, 18 holes, par 72 and 7,092 yards. There
are also professional lighted tennis courts, an equestrian
club, beach club, fitness and wellness center.
Designer of the Golf Course
The Coronado Golf Course was designed by George and Tom Fazio.
When they were selected by Coronado to design the course they
were rated among the top five in the world.
When George passed away, Tom continued to work, accepting only
five jobs a year to enable him to give personal attention to
each job. Today Tom Fazio has been chosen by Golf Digest as
the world's top designer.
Other Activities:
Square Trees
They are located to the
North-west of the Caldera del Valle, exactly behind the Hotel
Campestre. The square trees are a short 15 minute walk from
Golden Frog Inn. These trees are of the Quararible gender of the
Bombocacea family and they grow up to a height ranging between
12 and 15 meters. Its peculiarity is that its trunk is totally
square at the base.
Waterfalls
There are several
waterfalls around the valley that are beautiful any time of
year. One of the most popular falls is El Macho, just a
five minute drive from El Valle. It is located in the
thick forest and if you decide to take the Canopy Tour you will
have a wonderful overhead view.
The Las Mozas is another highly popular waterfall on the Anton
river. According to local legend there were three
sisters that disobeyed their parents on Good Friday, and went
for a swim at the river and remain petrified forever.
Our Beaches
There are several
beaches on a short 45 minute drive from Golden Frog Inn.
We would be happy to arrange any of these wonderful activities
for you.
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