Coclé Province's Travel Guides | Towns, Mountains & Beaches

Coclé is found in the center of the Isthmus. It offers the visitors jewels of our cultural historic patrimony such as the Apostle Matthew Lesser Basilica of the City of Natá de los Caballeros and el Caño Archeological Park, important legacy of the Coclesan Indian culture. This section of Panama contains some of Panama's most popular beaches, its most accessible highlands from the country's capital, and some of its most important and historic provincial towns. Santa Clara for example has it all: pleasant places to stay, a few decent places to eat, a beautiful white-sand beach, and not too many people. El Valle's market is a popular weekend destination for Panama City residents in search of crafts and plants, and an excuse to enjoy the cool weather and natural attractions of El Valle.

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Coclé - land of sugar, salt and presidents. More sugar has been refined in this province, more salt has been produced here, and more Panamanian presidents have been born in Coclé than in any other province. Often overlooked by travelers, Coclé will provide you with an authentic off-the-beaten-path trip that is experienced by few travelers. Coclé boasts a medley of landscapes from abandoned coastlines to towering cloud forests. Fresh air abounds as you ride horseback through El Valle or walk the beaches of Santa Clara then scratch that shopping itch at the artisan markets. Coverage includes: El Valle, Santa Clara, Farrallón, Antón, Penonomé, La Pintada, Trinidad Spa and Lodge, Parque Nacional Omar Torrijos and La Rica, Natá, Aguadulce.

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The Coclé Province from Penonomé to Aguadulce is not yet poised to become a hot spot. Historical, cultural, and natural attractions are scattered around in such a fashion that renting a vehicle or booking a custom tour is key to exploring the area. The capital of the Coclé Province is Penonomé, a town that for a few years during the 17th century was the nation's capital after Panama City had been sacked by the pirate Henry Morgan. Little of the town's colonial history is evident today, and really there isn't much to do and see in Penonomé apart from visiting the Mercado de Artesanías and Museo de Penonomé. Heading north out of Penonomé, La Pintada village is regionally known for its own handicrafts fair and especially for its locally renowned straw hats and its cigar factory.

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