One of the biggest surprises about Panama, as a tourist destination, is that the Canal area and its beaches are not the only places worth seeing. In fact some of the most beautiful scenery to be found in the country lies in the volcanic mountains in the west of the isthmus, known as the Cordillera Central.

One particular destination is El Valle de Anton’s Crater Valley in the province of Cocle.

This picturesque community is nestled inside the world’s third largest crater and bears the distinction of being the longest- inhabited crater on earth.

El Valle’s cool weather and spectacular 360 degree view overwhelm your senses as you descend into the town, a feeling you will keep throughout your stay.

It is in this beautiful part of the country that a group of adventure enthusiasts and professionals created PEX-Panama Explorer Club, bringing their life style and values as individuals to this business.

An excursion through El Valle's rain forests.

Although they work throughout the country, El Valle, is their home and base of operations. PEX Adventure Center, located in the heart of the crater, offers all kinds of experiences for the mind, body and spirit, regardless of your age, physical condition or sporting preference.

Among the most popular activities is hiking along the rim of the crater, particularly La India Dormida, through a labyrinth of century-old Indian trails that culminate in a breathtaking view of the valley from high above. The average cost of this hike is US$15.00/pax locally and US$48.00/pax from Panama City. If you wish a little more adrenaline rush, strap on a harness and wet rappel down a mountain stream waterfall into a pool of crystal-clear spring water, all in the heart of the rainforest. The average cost of this adventure is US$25.00/pax locally and US$60.00/pax from Panama City.

For those who require more speed, mountain biking through trails flanked by volcanic rock and tropical jungle vegetation, is a rare and unique experience even for the most traveled biker. With PEX, you pedal top quality Alpine mountain bikes with 27 speed gearing and front suspension. Prices, bike included, range from US$10.00/pax to US$15.00/pax according to length or level of difficulty.

You will travel an hour and a half from El Valle to Rio Grande, another area in the province, where the lava flow of ancient volcanic activity created a bed of rock in which the rain water spectacularly flows down the mountains to the ocean, creating one of the most scenic and fast - flowing rivers in Cocle. On board a raft guided by experts, you will navigate the rapids and descend the Continental Divide into the Pacific basin, one of PEXís most unforgettable adventures. The average cost of this experience is US$75.00 from El Valle and US$95.00 from Panama City.

Rapelling, another exciting adventure in El Valle.

If you want to soak up the local culture and shop a little (or a lot if you prefer), then the EcoCulture Tour is definitely for you. The focus of this activity is the “behind the scenes” lifestyle of the largest handicrafts market of Panama. Visit and participate in the red clay cooperatives, wood carving and painting workshops, and, of course the local marketplace. This tour also includes a stop in the town museum and a look at the indigenous and world famous golden frogs. The average cost of this experience is US$20.00 from El Valle and US$45.00 from Panama City.

If you plan a longer stay or for groups, they will design an itinerary of these activities to complement your existing plans.

For corporate groups they offer team building dynamics through their activities, combined with seminars dictated by consulting professionals from their affiliate company EcoConsulta, S.A., a specialist in this area.

If you want to challenge your mind, your body and your senses, let PEX-Panama Explorer Club guide you to the experience of your life !!! Call 215-2330.

Located in central Panama, the Azuero peninsula encompasses the provinces of Herrera, Los Santos and a portion of Veraguas, but, since most of the population of the region resides in the first two, the name generally refers to Herrera and Los Santos.

Azuero is part of the "Dry Arch" –the driest part of the Republic, which comprises the western half of the Gulf of Panama. Small hills covered with semi-arid savanna vegetation are the typical landscape of the region, although its rivers and coastal marshlands are always green, harboring great potential for eco tourism and bird watching. Two national protected forests, El Montuoso Natural Reserve and Cerro Hoya National Park, are also found in this part of the country.

Azuero is cattle country. Except for the picturesque towns that dot the landscape, a great part of the land is devoted to cattle grazing and farming.

Folklore is by far the greatest tourist attraction of the area. There are over 600 folklore or religious festivals each year, as even the smallest community devotes a day to its own patron saint. The most important festivals in Azuero are Carnivals (Feb/March), the Ocú International Fair (Ocú, province of Herrera, in January), the Azuero International Fair (April/May), the Pollera National Festival (honoring Panama’s beautiful female costume, in July), and La Mejorana folklore festival in Guararé (September).

Most lodging facilities are found in the town of Chitré, the peninsula’s largest town, which can be used as a base for exploration of Azuero’s beaches, islands and cool highlands. The region has a good system of roads and excellent communications with Panama City.