El Valle de Anton full-day tour: Volcano crater village

El Valle de Anton sits inside the crater of a volcano dormant for 13,000 years.

A full-day private tour of El Valle de Anton, a mountain village built inside the crater of an ancient volcano, with a guide in English, Spanish or French and hotel pickup. You walk through rainforest to Chorro el Macho, an 85-meter waterfall with a natural rock pool for swimming, visit the local market, see the panoramic views from Mirador Cerro La Cruz, and walk through a butterfly sanctuary among hundreds of living butterflies.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore El Valle de Anton village and nature

• Visit El Valle de Anton visitors center
• Enjoy panoramic views at Mirador Cerro La Cruz
• Walk to El Chorro Macho waterfall and swim
• Shop at local market for fruits and crafts
• Stroll through butterfly exhibit and learn

The experience

El Valle de Anton sits in the second largest inhabited volcano caldera in the world, and a private guide leads you through the village and its surroundings over the course of a full day. The tour starts at a visitors center that explains the volcano's history and the town's ancestors, then moves to Mirador Cerro La Cruz for views across the lush valley below. From there, a rainforest walk takes you to Chorro el Macho, an 85-meter waterfall fed by river water, where you can swim in a large natural rock pool surrounded by jungle.

After the waterfall, you stop at the local market to browse fresh fruit, vegetables and local crafts. The final stop is a screened tropical exhibit where you walk among hundreds of living, jewel-colored butterflies and learn how they develop from egg through caterpillar, chrysalis and adult. Your private driver and guide handle all transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, with hotel pickup included and bottled water provided throughout the day.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• private driver and guide.
• hotel pickup.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except TuesdayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 13.50

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Panama Your Way

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, Spanish or French, so you choose the language that works for you. The private format means the pace and commentary fit your group alone, not a shared schedule.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What is Chorro el Macho and can you swim there?

Chorro el Macho is an 85-meter waterfall in the rainforest surrounding El Valle de Anton. A large natural rock pool fed by river water sits at the base, and you can swim in it during the tour.

How does the butterfly sanctuary work?

The butterfly exhibit is a screened tropical house and grounds where you walk among hundreds of living butterflies. A guide explains their life cycle from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to adult.

What does the visitors center show?

The visitors center provides interactive information on the history of the volcano, the town of El Valle de Anton, and its ancestors, helping you understand the place before exploring it.

Is hotel pickup included in the tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included in the tour price, and you travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle with your guide and driver.