El Valle de Antón tour: Hot springs, waterfall & rainforest

Soak in thermal springs and hike to a 35-meter waterfall in a volcanic crater

A full-day private tour from Panama City to El Valle de Antón, a village built inside an extinct volcano's crater, where you visit thermal springs, hike to Chorro El Macho waterfall, walk among hundreds of butterflies, explore a reptile refuge, and browse the Indigenous market. The tour includes air-conditioned transport, a live guide in English or Spanish, and bottled water. Admission fees to some sites are paid on arrival.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore El Valle de Antón highlights

• Travel from Panama City to El Valle de Antón
• Relax at the thermal springs
• Visit Chorro El Macho waterfall
• Explore Nispero Zoo and butterfly garden
• Walk rainforest trail
• Shop at Indigenous market
• Enjoy local cuisine at a restaurant

The experience

The drive from Panama City takes ninety minutes along the Pan American highway, ending at the thermal springs where you can soak and relax before the day's hiking begins. From there, the route moves to Chorro El Macho, the region's largest waterfall at 35 meters high, surrounded by rainforest and a natural swimming pool below the falls. The setting is powerful enough for strong photographs and a real swim if you want one.

After the waterfall, you visit the butterfly garden to walk among hundreds of butterflies across up to 16 species, then move through the Nispero Zoo where you see jaguars, monkeys, sloths, birds and the rare golden frog. A trail through the Panamanian rainforest lets you explore the fauna and flora on foot. The day ends at the Indigenous market in the center of El Valle, where local vendors sell fresh vegetables, fruits, plants, handicrafts and traditional clothing, followed by lunch at a local restaurant.

The tour runs eight hours total and stays private. Just you, your guide and the driver in an air-conditioned vehicle. Your guide speaks English or Spanish and can answer questions about the animals, plants and local culture as you move through the stops. Bottled water is included. You'll pay admission fees on site for the butterfly garden and reptile refuge, and thermal springs or waterfall entry depending on which option you book.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for the full day.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• bottled water.
• transport from Panama City to El Valle de Antón and back.

Options for this experience

4 options

Departs from Rio HatoUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 08:30 and 09:00Lasts 4 hours, and pickup is included

Private Tour of Valle De Anton Rainfall Hot Springs and NatureUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 07:30 and 08:30Pickup is included

Private Exclusive ComboUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 07:30 and 08:30Private: this combo gives an exclusive, customized experience, and pickup is included

Solo travelerUp to 1 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 07:30, 08:30 and 09:00Designed for solo travelers, with pickup included; admission fees are not included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30, 08:30 and 09:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (18 to 50 years) · Senior (51 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 23

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Panamanian Aventures

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a private vehicle to move between the hot springs, waterfall, and rainforest in one day: the guide sets the pace so you can spend real time at each stop rather than rushing between them.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What is Chorro El Macho like when you get there?

Chorro El Macho is a 35-meter waterfall surrounded by rainforest with a natural swimming pool at its base, making it safe and inviting for a swim after the hike down to it. The waterfall is powerful and the setting offers excellent photo opportunities.

Do I need to arrange my own transport from Panama City?

No. The tour includes pickup and transport from Panama City in an air-conditioned vehicle for the full ninety-minute drive to El Valle and back, so you don't need to arrange a separate transfer.

What animals will I see at the Nispero Zoo?

The zoo holds jaguars, monkeys, sloths, birds, butterfly species and the rare golden frog, all animals found in Panama's interior. A reptile refuge on the tour also houses snakes, caimans, turtles and iguanas that have been rescued.

Is there time to shop at the Indigenous market?

Yes. The tour includes a stop at the market in the center of El Valle, where local Indigenous vendors sell fresh vegetables, fruits, plants, handicrafts and traditional clothing. You can browse and buy as long as you want before heading to lunch.

How much does admission cost at each site?

Admission fees are paid on site to the staff: the butterfly garden costs 7 dollars per person and the reptile refuge costs 6 dollars per person. Thermal springs or waterfall entry fees depend on which tour option you book.