This place had been around forever. I used to come here on school field trips when I was a child. And we always like it because We didn't know better. Now, as an adult, after 30 years, I realized that these poor animals are very stressed, and some look very sad. The peacocks and some of the parrots have no feathers. The tapirs look sad 😔. I know they are trying to do the best they can with the resources they have, but it's heartbreaking to see. The plants and greenery looked healthy, and they have reasonable prices for the plants that they have for sale. I was told I could buy quails, but they only had the white ones, so I passed. I wanted them as pets that lay eggs. As you will see in my pictures, I enjoyed the plants and greenery than the animals we saw.

The zoo is small and basic, but there are many animals to see. Suggest reserving at least 2 hours to walk around in this place.

Although it is a small zoo, it is quite relaxing to walk around and seeing the animals. Best part was the birds. Only downside was seeing the larger cats, caymans and coyotes in small enclosures.

It was very interesting to watch. A lot of animals and was pretty fun to trail.

Nice little zoo its cool and shaded. Bring water.

Too many chickens together in very confined, small cages. The smell was overwhelming in these areas. Some animals were kept in cages located in areas that were very muddy and wet so their feathers were wet, tattered and dirty. Some of the parrot cages had no toys or things for them to chew or play with. One Toucan was in a smallish cage all by itself and was frantically pacing and flying from side to side. I couldn't understand why it wasn't with the other Toucans a few cages down in a bigger cage. Likewise, the coyote cage was very tiny with nothing for him to engage with except for a small dog house - he looked so sad. Some monkeys were housed together in a large cage, but there was one all by itself in a very small and confined cage, that was pacing back and forth which is a sign of stress. When we came upon a cage filled with budgies, there was a dead one lying in the corner on the ground, and another beside it with what appeared to be 'chewed off' wings and tail. My heart was broken at the sight of this. I only give this review a one-star rating because I'm not sure they accept a zero star rating. I feel so sad for these animals. This zoo should be shut down!

This was a nice visit. The grounds are gorgeous. When I started walking in I was skeptical. But then we saw some amazing animals. And the place is very big. Good value for the money. It’s a nice hike. I was a bit sad to see such beautiful birds caged but also, if they were not in cages we wouldn’t be able to see them.

Beautiful landscape, we've been here on a Friday and there was absolutely no one around! The trails are easy to find and they are not do difficult. The parking space is only accessible with a good AWD. In our case the Toyota Fortuner did an excellent job. High recommended!!!

From the Cara Iguana hill you get one of the best views of the Anton Valley and you can enjoy excellent hiking from this point you can see sunrises and sunsets. Important recommendation: during the rainy season (March-November) you should not walk alone and there is a risk of lightning at the top of the mountain. Avoid accidents in summer, the breezes are strong at the top and I recommend not standing on the cliffs.

It is relatively easy to reach the top by walking from the center of town, but you must have certain physical conditions due to the slope of the terrain. Nature lovers will love the path as you can see many species of plants and animals. The landscape from the top is very beautiful, at any time of the day. Unfortunately, unscrupulous people have thrown garbage along the road and near streams that originate on the hill, which is very unfortunate.

Do not attempt to drive up the gravel road without a 4 x 4. Hike up the road or use all-trails to find trailhead.

Really an amazing hike! You get a beautiful view of the town when you make it to the top. The hike up the gravel road is the most challenging part, it's extremely steep. We went the beginning of April and the wind was wild! Made for a very unique experience.

Great hike and beautiful views, compare to other ones this is quite easy, as there is a route almost to the top of the hill. Be ready for the strong wind and rainy showers. If you go for sunset do not forget a torch or charged your phone so you can use your flash

Such a wonderful hike! We went during the week and there was no people at all during our entire hike. The hill is a bit steep when going up but once you are on top the views are breathtaking. Definitely worth the effort!

We were glad to see the Google opening hours listed were accurate. We arrived, found parking available and purchased tickets easily. Pricing was very reasonable. We didn't watch the documentary but that was available. We were able to walk very slowly and make this a meditative experience then though there were quite a lot of visitors coming through. Everyone just worked their way around us. No matter how long you were in there, it seemed like new coloured and patterned butterflies kept appearing. We truly enjoyed it. We finished off with a bit of souvenir shopping where bracelets, mugs, honey etc are available. Restrooms were clean and very accessible.

Great experience. Get there when sunny as the butterflies are more active. Friendly informative and educational staff.

What a wonderful surprise!! I have visited other butterfly conservatories (Mariposarios), in several other countries, but never one that had such a large number of butterflies in a relatively small space. They were there by the hundreds, flying all around us as we walked through. Following the unlimited time in the conservatory they had a bilingual guide explain and demonstrate the butterfly eggs, caterpillar stage and plant that they feed on and how they collect the eggs for breeding. They also had a nice short film in English from PBS on the whole butterfly cycle. I rate this experience “Wonderful “

A Hidden Gem in El Valle – Especially for Italians! 🇮🇹🦋 We visited Butterfly Haven in El Valle de Antón yesterday and were truly enchanted. A young, passionate guide walked us through the fascinating life cycle of butterflies, sharing not just facts but the full story with genuine enthusiasm. His love for what he does was contagious, and our curiosity seemed to inspire him even more—he went above and beyond to make the experience memorable. Later, we met the owner, Ruben, who happens to be from Rome—what a joy to meet a fellow Italian so far from home! He was incredibly kind, even offering us a ride to the bus stop. That’s what I call Italian friendship: warm, spontaneous, and heartfelt. Butterfly Haven is a beautiful, peaceful place that deserves much more attention, especially from Italians who often stick to Panama City. If you're Italian and planning a trip to Panama, don’t miss the chance to explore beyond the capital. El Valle is lush, welcoming, and full of surprises—and Butterfly Haven is one of its brightest. Sending warm greetings from an Italian-Colombian couple who left with smiles and gratitude. Grazie mille, Ruben!

Great place to visit! Especially with kids. There are 2 areas filled with butterflies, a room explaining the process of the butterflies maturing and a short 5 minutes video. But the visit can take you easily an hour due to the time the children run around chasing butterflies. There is an English speaking guide. The place is located under a rooftop, so can be visited during rain.

Very cute place to go see butterflies. Worth a stop if you are in the area!

Its a good experience very short but has a wow effect once you enter, even for locals, you won't be wanting to go back, it's just a very quick stop, and very short experience.

Food was decent, communication was an issue with only English. Messed up on order and never came to get refills with water or anything. Dogs kept barking out front but this is just being picky. Did was decent, but not the best we have had.

Delicious authentic Italian food. We are a party of 8 with 4 dogs and we are warmly welcomed. Pizza was spot on and service was good. We were there on a busy holiday weekend and that didn't stop them from providing good customer service. Bravo!

Very surprised with the Carbonara pasta at the first bite because it's simple but so delicious! Pizza is also good.

Perfect place to eat Italian food, the staff were really friendly and helpful when we arrived at the restaurant they haven’t available tables for us but the waitress make posible for us make a great experience.❤️

Pizzas were so good and pastas as well. Servers were so very kind to us even with a rowdy group and many kids. If they sold cocktails, it would have perfected the night. We love El Valle and will definitely be back here. Gracias por todos!

This is a lovely place with very welcoming service. The food is solidly good rather than exceptional. Nice wine, the red wine was served chilled, but was nice.

Pizza was undercooked and doughy. We also got the pasta Pomodoro and it was good but nothing special. We got confused the night before and accidentally ate a different smaller unassuming pizza place one minute up the road. The place was called Pizza Roma, owned by a man from Napoli and the pizza was ten times better.

Had a local meal here and it was packed! A bit chaotic but you basically just grab whatever seat you see open and someone will come and get the order from you. Food came out in a timely manner but one of the drinks took a while so we canceled it since we were basically done with our meal. 2 entrees and a drink for $20 USD. Can't be beat! Cash only.

AmaIng panamian food for veeery reasonable prices! We had the best patacones here - didn't know it could be that tasty! We came back for breakfast the next day!

I’ve been travelling in various parts of Panama for the last 3 weeks and this was by far the best local food I had. I ate here twice for lunch and had the pulled beef/ropa vieja (pictured) and the chicken stew (didn’t have time for a pic, I was too hungry!) and they were both delicious! The watermelon juice was fresh and delicious too. The meals have the authentic Panamanian home cooked flavours and I’d eat here again if I wasn’t leaving tomorrow. The staff is very friendly and attentive too. Highly recommend, a must go in El Valle.

Took 2 attempts to get lunch….the place is super busy for good reason. We got the pollo asado and pescado frito with patacones. All super delicious. We tried to get lunch the day before, but the place was super busy and we told the owner will be back tomorrow. We came back the next day, and he remembered us. We were very well taken care of. Highly recommend!

Best ceviche in the world right next to the fish market

The best place in town. Very good freshly cooked food at reasonable prices. I especially recommend the Causa Salad with tuna and avocado.

Great food awesome prices, always fresh food

Very good traditional Creole food that we Panamanians grow up eating. Situated in prime location on the main street. Interior has a lot of character. Cafeteria style food presentation for quick ordering. Hey tourists, the main street offers several different types of restaurants and eateries. Therefore, you may easily overlook this place. Try not to, though, because this is our traditional Panamanian food. Choose freely from the cafeteria style offerings. I highly recommend anything but my personal long-time favorites are tortillas, empanadas, bollos and salchichas. During my last visit, I was looking at the classic pictures on the wall. The owner was nice enough to point out the picture of the humble beginnings of the restaurant. And it sure has come a long way. So look at this place not just for the food, but for the history of hard work and perseverance. Makes me think of the song that says, we started from the bottom and now we here.

Our simple Comida Vegetariano costed 5.50 PAB per plate. Relatively expensive but hey, it’s a tourist town.

The food was terrible. They have a menu, but said I could only order the premade dishes in front of me. The pork was gross, but the rice and beans were decent. They were super friendly though.

Delicious Panamanian food at a great price. Friendly staff.

Super delicious food. Great breakfast. Order some extra ham for the dog that hangs out.

If you're looking for authentic Panamanian Creole food that will transport you straight to the heart of Panama, then look no further than this restaurant. Situated in a prime location on the main street, the interior boasts a character that is just as charming as the food. With a cafeteria-style setup, ordering your meal is quick and easy, leaving you with more time to savor the flavors of traditional Panamanian dishes. The food is incredibly inexpensive, making it the perfect choice for a hearty lunch that won't break the bank. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking an authentic taste of Panama. The chicken guisado is a standout dish, bursting with flavor and sure to satisfy even the heartiest of appetites. While the food may be the star of the show, I do note that the restaurant's use of styrofoam and plastic detracts from the overall experience. Real dishes and glassware would be a much more environmentally friendly choice, and would only add to the charm of this already wonderful spot. Despite this one small drawback, this restaurant is a must-visit for anyone seeking a taste of Panama's rich culinary history. From the delicious food to the prime location and charming interior, this spot has it all.

Good with decent prices. I could have given 5 stars if they didn’t use styrofoam and plastic. No excuse for generating all that waste in a sit-down restaurant. Use real dishes and glass please.

The Bruschetta with mushrooms and a chicken salad was ordered. Definitely worth it! Everything was a perfect match. A small disappointment was the salad; I missed something like tomato and cucumber. However, it could have just been a typical Panamanian salad. Simply a green salad with chicken, croutons, cheese, and an absolutely delightful dressing. The friendly service added the perfect touch to the meal. Thanks for the pleasant evening. The 20 dollars were worth it.

A pleasant surprise good food and service

The food, service, and atmosphere were all very good to excellent. True to it's name, the bruschetta was outstanding! The reason this place doesn't rate five stars is the price. We paid about the same here as we did at RetroGusto in Boquete a week ago where the flavors more complex, they had several wines and beers to choose from, and the margaritas weren't frozen.

Disgusting! The soup was literally just water with salad chopped vegetables - truly horrific. And then the veggie pasta, no words to describe how terrible. Neveeer stepping foot here again.

We ordered the ceviche de corvina, which was really tasty and fresh. For the main courses we had the garlic fish filet and fried prawns. The fried prawns were excellent and the fish was good also, but maybe a little too salty on the garlic sauce. Meat and seafood courses all come with a small salad and a choice between potatoes to your liking or fried plantains. The fries were really good. The pineapple juice was a little watered down. Our server was wonderful and the kitchen had our meal ready very quickly. The restaurant is mostly outdoor seating and was very well lit and clean. Based on our experience, their reputation here could use a little love. We thought it was a very nice restaurant and we really enjoyed our meal here.

Lovely local restaurant that serves excellent bruschetta and paella. The owners have a few restaurants in town, but this is the only one we tried. We sat outside and had a great time. The Caesar salad is pretty tasty too. The smoothies were fresh and surprisingly good. If you're visiting the valley, you should check it out.

Without a doubt the best food we have had in Panama! The owner cheerfully discussed all of his menu and offered further alternatives. The huge shrimp & Passion Fruit was a welcome diversion from what we have been eating otherwise on this trip

Best food we had in Panama. The price, quantity, and taste were amazing. If you have to try one place in the Valle de anton, it is this! Also the passion fruit juice was so goooooood.

I’m writing this review as I sit here waiting for my check an hour after I’ve finished eating even though there aren’t many people here. Good thing I have plenty of time to fantasize about what my day tomorrow will look like when I have bloody diarrhea on the bus ride back to Panama City. They served me “The Classic” hamburger which I asked to be cooked through. I was served literal ground meat. It’ll be a miracle if I don’t get sick. Thanks to the arrogant chef not using a thermometer to ensure he isn’t serving customers raw beef, I now get to spend the next 10 days of my life praying to god that I don’t get violently ill and stay within 25 feet of a restroom, despite using public transportation. The good news is, after showing the waitress the uncooked pile of beef on my plate, they coordinated a $6.25 discount!! Good thing it wasn’t only $6. Now that they took .25 cents less of my money I’m going to be spraying bile from both ends of my body with a smile on my face!

By far the worst food and service we've had in Panama. After sitting and waiting for an hour, a plate of frozen hummus turned up. Flavourless, dry, frozen. How can hummus be 'dry'?? Twenty minutes later, still not a single drink served, one of us then received the most bizarre veggie 'schnitzel'....6 balls of deep fried broccoli. That's it. Not an actual schnitzel at all. Eventually one person got a drink. Followed a further twenty minutes later by three, sharp, disgusting flat "lemonades". A bowl of cold spagetti with a pile of basil on it that was supposed to be pesto pasta was then served. It was vile. We asked for it to be heated up again and the request was received with utter disgust. I mean, I know that pesto 'can' be made from fresh basil, but for the love of god, make an actual sauce out of it. How can you serve someone that as 'pesto pasta'. The service was truly terrible and non existent in this place. And there was one other table occupied in the restaurant. The 'vegetarian burger' then arrived which was quite obviously a tin can of black beans chopped up and put in the shape of a burger patty. Dry as a bone. Zero flavour. Such a disappointment. Receiving the cheque took three requests and alot of patience to not simply walk out of this poor excuse for a restaurant on many occasions. There was one other table being served! One! What the heck were all the staff doing back there! Definitely googling how to make all of our dishes. Which they failed at. This was the worst restaurant we've been to in the whole of Panama, perhaps in a very long time in any country. The food was served by the most miserable waiters who should quite clearly not be in hospitality. I have every confidence in saying not a single dish was prepared by a chef or anyone competent in actually making food. Will not eat there again as there are plenty of other restaurants in El V.

Amazing experience! My boyfriend and I shared the meat platter for 2 people and it has been my favourite dish in Panama so far (we’ve been here 5 days). The meat was extremely tender and portions were generous, sauces were delicious, and loved the yucca and plantains. Highly recommend. We also had tomato and broccoli soups which we enjoyed. Ambiance was nice on the patio with music, plants all around. I recommend!

Definitively a very relaxed resto with good vibes for the evening. You choose between local Panamanian dishes (Ropa vieja) or European specialities as Jägerschnitzel or 'Heisse Liebe' - alternatively you go for Hambourgesas, sandwiches or Mariscos - you got all the choice. All dishes were served hot, fresh and lovely cooked - and presented appropriately to the countryside. The keeper and his staff invite you with a bright smile and will give you the comfort you need after a long day. Prices were absolutely in range. Yeah, let's meet here again.

We had the "super recommend" thinking it was a grilled meat mix, but it came with tomate and onions on top.. meat was good thought, yet nothing special. Service was kind.

Great place for some vegetarian food (even when I'm not one). I ordered: 1. Guacamole con patacones. Guac comes with warm patacones and tastes amazing! Heavenly! 2. Lentejas exoticas. Lentil soup with a lot of vegetables. Comes hot with white rice. Just don't ask how good it was! Try it! 3. Camembert marinado con pan casero ( Camembert cheese dipped in olive oil with vegetables and served with hot bread) This was another trip to heaven. Just melt in your mouth with that warm bread. Very very good. Food is great. Service is good. The only complaint I have is the stray dogs and they come inside and demand food from people around. That was a bit disappointing because I have cynophoia, but if you don't mind them do come here. It's an amazing place. Plus great quantity!