Coclé

A central Panamanian province where the crater town of El Valle de Antón and Pacific beach resorts are both within easy reach of the capital.

Coclé lies in central Panama, stretching from the Cordillera Central in the north to the Pacific in the south, with Penonomé as its capital. The most popular destination is El Valle de Antón, set in an ancient volcanic crater, where the cool climate invites hiking, waterfall visits and browsing the handicraft market. Along the coast, Santa Clara, Farallón and other areas offer long beaches and resorts. The province also has archaeological sites and a traditional straw-hat-making craft. The dry season, December–April, is the best time to visit. It is about a two-hour drive from Panama City along the Pan-American Highway, and Río Hato Airport also has flights.

Destinations

• El Valle de Antón

Itineraries

• Self-Drive Panama: Canal Rainforest, El Valle to Pedasi – A Pacific self-drive route from the canal rainforest to a volcanic crater town, then south to the coast of the Azuero P…