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Home » Best Countries To Live, Invest, And Retire Overseas » Panama: Everything You Need To Know 2025 » El Valle, Panama
El Valle is known for its flora, climate, and hot springs. Learn how you can live here for considerably less compared to Panama City. It's a mountain town close to Panama's capital.
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El Valle, a small town in Panama, is renowned for its lush greenery and is often referred to as Panama’s fertile valley. This unique location is situated within one of the largest inhabited craters in the world, providing a distinctive geographical feature that enhances its appeal.
The town is characterized by a rainforest environment, thriving at an elevation of approximately 2,000 feet, which contributes to its rich biodiversity and vibrant ecosystem.
Visitors to El Valle can expect a serene and picturesque setting, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and those seeking a tranquil escape.
Nestled within the majestic confines of an extinct volcanic crater and overlooked by the Sleeping Indian mountain range and cloud-capped mountains, about 90 minutes from Panama City lies the bustling market town of El Valle de Anton.
As you climb the hill from the Pan-American Highway, you pass through a number of landscape changes where the subtle hues and colors of nature transform as you pass through small, neat settlements and villages with sellers of artisan flower pots, garden furniture, or flourishing plant nurseries.
The community has grown over thousands of years from a small gathering of local villages centered on the local market.
Many of Panama’s oldest families own second homes in the cool and healthy mountain air of the valley, weekending regularly to disengage and relax within easy reach of the city.
Reviewed By Kathleen Peddicord
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
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The cost of living in El Valle is considerably less compared to Panama City. A couple can enjoy the hillside lifestyle for less than US$1,529 per month.
Expense | Monthly Costs | Notes |
---|---|---|
Mortgage | - | Not included here as too variable. |
HOA Fees | US$150 | Average. |
Property Taxes | 0.06% | On properties over US$120,000 |
Transportation | US$10 | Community bus and occasional taxi. |
Gas | US$8 | Per tank. |
Electricity | US$55 | Average without air conditioning. |
Water | US$15 | Depends on the property zone. |
Cell Phone | US$35 | Using Tigo prepaid minutes. |
Internet | US$36 | Depending on the location, it could be more. |
Cable TV | US$36 | |
Household Help | US$45 | Cleaning once every two weeks. |
Entertainment | US$196 | Eating out twice a week at a local, mid-range restaurant (US$128), drinks twice a week (US$48), movie theatre trip twice a month (US$20). |
Groceries | US$300 | Basic items for a couple. This includes beer, wine, and some imported organic foods. |
Gym Membership | - | |
Medical Appointment | US$20 | Basic checkup in a public hospital. |
TOTAL | US$906 |
Expense | Monthly Costs | Notes |
---|---|---|
Rent | US$900 | In a desirable part of town, furnished, two-bedroom, comfortable apartment. |
Transportation | US$10 | Community bus and occasional taxi. |
Gas | US$8 | Per tank. |
Electricity | US$55 | Average without air conditioning. |
Water | - | Included in rent. |
Cell Phone | US$35 | Using Tigo prepaid minutes. |
Internet | US$36 | Depending on the location, it could be more. |
Cable TV | US$36 | |
Household Help | US$45 | Cleaning once every two weeks. |
Entertainment | US$196 | Eating out twice a week at a local, mid-range restaurant (US$128), drinks twice a week (US$48), movie theatre trip twice a month (US$20). |
Groceries | US$300 | Basic items for a couple. This includes beer, wine, and some imported organic foods. |
Gym Membership | - | |
Medical Appointment | US$20 | Basic checkup in a local hospital. |
TOTAL | US$1,641 |
Expense | Monthly Costs | Notes |
---|---|---|
Rent | US$400 | Cheapest part of town (still desirable), most basic one-bedroom rental. |
Transportation | US$5 | Cheapest forms of public transport; assuming a bit less movement. |
Gas | US$8 | Per tank. |
Electricity | US$40 | Without air conditioning |
Water | US$15 | |
Cell Phone | US$20 | Cheapest options available. |
Internet | US$20 | Basic internet. |
Cable TV | US$14 | Most basic cable. |
Entertainment | US$40 | Eating out once a week at a local restaurant. |
Groceries | US$200 | All local-brand items only, shopping markets, and local vendors along with grocery stores. |
TOTAL | US$762 |
A growing number of shops and services have been built, including a new commercial center and El Rey supermarket; however, the real focus of El Valle’s community is on its market.
The local market in El valle is a focal point in the town for its unbeatable quality produce—much of it organic—at unheard of prices.
Every day, local farmers arrive before sunrise with their chosen fruits and vegetables, creating the unusual situation in Panama of a traditional farmers market available to residents every day.
Also, El Valle town and surrounding area consists of a thriving community of over 7,600 people, located around 75 miles from Panama’s capital.
The town lies about 15 miles up the mountainside from the Pan-American Highway. In short, a picturesque drive through small villages and changing countryside.
El Valle is known for its flora, for its climate (which, thanks to the slight elevation, is noticeably more comfortable than that back down at sea level in Panama City), and for its hot springs.
El Valle has spring-like temperatures year-round. The year-round average high is 68 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average nighttime minimum is 61.
However, there is little variation between summer and winter temperatures, the major difference being the amount of wind and rain from season to season.
The dry season in El Valle runs from mid-December to mid-April and the wet season from May to early December.
El Valle de Antón is also a great location for those looking to retire in Panama.
Reviewed By Kathleen Peddicord
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
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Tucked away on the mountainside of the Riviera Pacifica, El Valle de Anton has plenty to discover and enjoy. Plus, you’ll also find relief from the heat of the lowlands, as the town is situated 600 meters above sea level.
El Valle de Anton is a mountain town sitting in the crater of an extinct volcano. It happens to be the easternmost volcano along the Central American Volcanic Arc.
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