Things to do & places to visit in Cocle Province, Panama

Cocle Province #5 destination in Panama 2023. The average rating score is 4.01 based on 3.764 traveler reviews, of 77 attractions. Timezone: America/Panama, current date and time: Saturday, May 04, 2024, 21:41.

Cocle Province Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in May

86°F - 75°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Pleasantly warm, humid but cool

Feels like

81%

Chance of rain

435.0 millimeters

Amount

7.8 mph

Wind speed

85%

Humidity

12.5

Daylight length

6:02 AM

Sunrise

6:33 PM

Sunset

19%

Cloud cover

Sleeveless shirt, rain coat and rain boots

What to wear

Top things to do (42)

Top destinations in Cocle Province 19

See more 7 destinations »

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 El Valle Mountain Tours (118 reviews)
- Best adventure in Panama
Saturday: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM Canyoning & Rappelling Tours • 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Eco Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours

We went on the ATV trip to the El Macho Waterfall with our two young sons, 4 and 3 years old. The tour guide was great, full of insight about the animals, landscape and history of the area. He stopped to take family photos for us and provided us with a snack. Safety was a priority, while still allowing the boys to experience a real adventure! The hike to the waterfall was fun and swimming in the lagoon was amazing. We couldn’t have asked for a better time and will always treasure these memories! See more..
5.0 Leading Adventures (57 reviews)
- Fabulous and will return
Saturday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM City Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

Playa Blanca beach, via Playa Blanca resort and Riu Playa Blanca- both fantastic. I enjoyed the food much better at Riu Playa Blanca. December 2022, the water was extremely warm, sunrises and sunsets were filled with gold, red and pink hues. Customer service was excellent at both resorts. Excursions you’ll find on both beaches in a company hut (not hotel owned), and are very reasonable. One of the biggest salt water pools is 5-10 min walk from your room of either hotel, and snorkeling was just $35 for an hour, using the Riu Playa Blanca hut company located on their beach. Both hotels have a swim up bar and family pool with slides. See more..
5.0 Coronado Concierge Panama (29 reviews)
- Fabulous catamaran trip and we saw whales! Fun people, fabulous food, drinks and dancing.
City Tours • Cultural Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

Meet great people, see Panama and enjoy Dorothee and Bill's hospitality. Whether you live in the Coronado area or are visiting you will have a wonderful time. We have gone on many excursions over the years and every one was super fun. See more..
5.0 Luxury Water Sports (25 reviews)
- The best jet skii rental in Panama
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Adrenaline & Extreme Tours • Waterskiing & Jetskiing • Boat Rentals • Day Trips

We rented their jet skiis and had such an amazing time. The customer service was absolutely excellent and very sweet. It was hard to find at first but we called and they provided us exact instructions, so helpful. The jet skiis all appeared to be so nice, sanitized, and brand new. They provided us with the instructions and rules, then let us enjoy in the ocean. I definitely recommend this place whenever in Panama, I’ll definitely be back. Thanks Kristel, definitely a 5star. See more..
5.0 Farallon Paddle Co (17 reviews)
- Excellent activity and guided tour
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Gear Rentals • Stand Up Paddleboarding

Bruno is an EXCELLENT guide, he's very friendly and he makes you feel very comfortable during the excursion and while visiting the town. We loved our visit to Valley de Antón and our hike to India Dormida, the view was exceptional !! Thank you Bruno for this extraordinary activity, hope to see you again during our next trip See more..
5.0 ATV Tours Panama (16 reviews)
- A "Must-Do" in El Valle!
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Adrenaline & Extreme Tours • Private Tours • Day Trips

This tour was outstanding! We went on a family tour with our 16 year old, 14 year old and 7 year old. We left at 12pm and headed off onto steep gravely roads. This is definitely a safe tour for kids of all ages. You cross several shallow rivers, stop to take pics along the way and end up at a restaurant with a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole to relax for a while. Then back on the ATVs to return to the beautiful mountain town of El Valle around 4:30pm The owners are very welcoming and knowledgeable. The ATVs are top of the line. This tour couldn't have been better. It was well worth it and I highly recommend to families of any age. See more..
5.0 Caminando El Valle (10 reviews)
- Amazing
Hiking & Camping Tours • Private Tours • Day Trips

This was a top tier experience, definitely a gem hidden in the jungles of cocle province. Bravo to Ameth and caminandoelvalle for the amazing trip. Guides are really helpful and well equiped See more..
5.0 Nata Church (8 reviews)
- Beautiful and historic church
Churches & Cathedrals

Don't miss this wonderful church. Ordinary from the outside but extraordinary on the inside! From the 1500's and may be the earliest Catholic Church in the Americas. See more..
5.0 Ecoparque Don Arcelio (7 reviews)
- A great family place
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 12:45 PM, 1:00 PM - 3:45 PM Spent 2-3 hours Farms

Attended a birthday party here. A great playground and park area sitting right on the grounds of a working and educational farm See more..
5.0 Nido Indie Shop (5 reviews)
- Indy Fashion Done Right
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality & Gift Shops

Bohemian Lifestyle Boutique Shop featuring their own line of handmade clothing made by indigenous and campesino artisans. Very popular with locals and travellers alike who want genuine handcrafted beachwear and local artesanal gifts. Nido is well regarded in the local scene as innovators in the application of traditional panamanian indigenous crafts like the Kuna mola and the Ngabe pinta to clothing and bags of all sizes. Nido has provided education, training, supplies, machinery plus fair trade pay to different groups of campesino and indigenous artisans over the last 9 years in order to strengthen their ability to thrive while preserving original crafts. Nido has nurtured the local craft scene into the bustling colorful one it is today. In July 2018 they expanded to a gorgeous spot in the center of Coronado near restaurants and shops. Not to be missed! Swimwear, beachwear, dresses, shorts, bags and original authentic craft gifts to take home from your travels. See more..
5.0 Sailing Outventure Catamaran Tours (5 reviews)
- Catamaran Sailing Adventure in Panama
Scuba & Snorkelling • Boat Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours • Stand Up Paddleboarding • Kayaking & Canoeing

We spent a truly amazing day with Jurgen (Catamaran Captain).. The Catamaran is beautiful and very well equipped with bathroom, sun deck, dining area, bedrooms for overnight trips, a great sound system and gear for water activities. We did a half day sailing trip where we did snorkeling, paddle boarding and kayaking at a stop near an island. The family had lots of fun! Highly recommended!! See more..
5.0 El Valle ATV Tour (5 reviews)
- Amazing tour
4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours

Eric is a great tour guide. I will be going back to him. The amazing views at each rest stop. We had to pictures they are breath taking. Trails are awesome muddy roads/paths ,rocky roads and crossing the rivers ,hills and moving at high speed. I love it See more..
5.0 Panama Skydive Center (4 reviews)
- Best experience ever!
Adrenaline & Extreme Tours

It was Awesome... Very profesional Staff,... Beautifull view... 100% safe... If you aré in Panama it s a must do for sure! See more..
5.0 Carlos Celis (4 reviews)
- Wild ride, beautiful destination
Cultural Tours • Adrenaline & Extreme Tours • Eco Tours • Private Tours • Day Trips

Breathtakingly beautiful! The road to this surprising, modern and lovely small town is a challenge-not for the faint of heart. We are so glad we experienced this place, even though for only one night..we should have stayed longer and regret not planning to do so. See more..
5.0 Cocle Excursions (2 reviews)
- FABULOUS tour guide
City Tours • Adrenaline & Extreme Tours

We hired Manuel from Cocle Excursions for our first visit to Panama. We did a full day tour that included a jungle boat ride to Monkey islands in the Gamboa Rainforest, Panama Canal, Old City, and other city attractions. We also did a day tour of the Embero Indian Tribe which included a Canoe ride, tour of the Indian's living environment, Lunch etc. He also drove us (Mercedes SUV) from airport to our Panama City hotel and drove us to and from Panama City to JW Marriott in Rio Hato which was 2 hours away from Panama City. Manuel was very flexible and catered the days to our interests and needs. He was able to give us great information about the sights we were seeing so we got context to all the surroundings. Our friend's tour company had hired Manuel for their family trip and another friend hired Manuel directly which is what we did. Manuel also does tours from JW Marriott but we decided to just stay at the beach and not do any further excursions. Our trip to Panama was enhanced by having Manuel as our guide and we would highly recommend him for anyone interested in a private guide. See more..
4.5 Butterfly Haven (523 reviews)
- Awesome if you love butterflies
Saturday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas • Educational sites

Experience the wonder and tranquility of being immersed in hundreds of living, jewel colored butterflies in a tropical rain forest setting. Included at no extra charge if you desire, are guided tours of our 3 areas. See more..
4.5 The Sleeping Indian Girl (305 reviews)
- Hiking the Sleeping Indian Mountain
Mountains • Points of Interest & Landmarks

Excellent hike and at age 77 and wife 78 we had no problems going up it’s always harder coming down - our 6 & 12 years old granddaughters were going up and coming back to check on us but it was well worth the effort as we are experienced hikers. Recommend older people using hiking poles.Local people and especially policeman very friendly and helpful.Intend doing again but a different route later this month.They both had a dip in the waterfall on way down. See more..
4.5 Playa Santa Clara (133 reviews)
- One of the Top 3 Beaches in Panama
Beaches

One one the top 3 beaches in Panama, second best on the pacific side, clean, quiet and miles of beach walking. The beach will get rough surf with under tow after a rain , the red flag will be up. under normal conditions the water is clear and very calm. There are restaurants with Bohio rentals, the food is ok. See more..
4.5 Gaital National Park (57 reviews)
- Wonderful hiking trail and birding opportunities
National Parks

Two trails provide loop access to an observation point which gives a great view of El Valle. The trail to the right at the entrance is steep in places, a good one to start with, because the trail to the left is more gentle (and easier to navigate). Birding in this area is great. The trails are generally narrow, so do not plan on walking side-by-side. There is a modest admission charge, since this is a national monument/park. You might be able to make a round trip in an hour by keeping up your pace, but plan on at least twice that if you wish to bird along the way. I encountered Black-faced Grosbeak, White-ruffed Manakin, White-breasted Wood Wren, White-tailed Emerald, Orange-bellied Trogon, and Vermiculated Screech Owl, among many others. Be forewarned, however, this IS an undeveloped hiking trail area -- not accessible, and no facilities. See more..
4.5 The Lovers Falls (34 reviews)
- You will fall in love... with this waterfall!
Waterfalls

An enchanting experience! Crisp, clean water to frolic in! Its name in Spanish is "Chorro de Los Enamorados", and you will find it, along with many more breathtaking waterfalls, behind the painted stone ("La Piedra Pintada"). There is no admission fee to the falls themselves, but the easiest access point is through the trail to the Petroglyphs, which charges $1.25 per adult. The climb takes about fifteen minutes and is best for those in good physical condition. Along the way you are likely to see orchids in the trees and the famous Blue Morpho Butterfly, which dances in the sunlight above the river. You can go for a refreshing swim but please refrain from diving since there are some rocks not far under the surface of the water. If you want to dive then visit The Maidens Falls (Los Chorros de Las Mozas) instead. You can safely frolic under the falling water... you will find a natural stone "staircase" to the far-left corner of the falls. See more..
4.5 Cariguana Spa (28 reviews)
- Thermal Pool - Amazing
Spas

My mom and sister-in-law went here while we went horseback riding and the facility is gorgeous and prices are really good. My sister in aw had a massage and foot therapy while my mom hit the thermal pool. The thermal pool was $15 for 1 hour and my mom said she felt a physical difference afterwards. Our family recommends this spa. See more..
4.5 La Casa de Lourdes Outdoor Spa (21 reviews)
- Quaint little gem
Spas

Outdoor Spa is a part of the hotel See more..
4.5 Canopy Adventure (15 reviews)
- Awesome zip line
Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks

I did this zip line in early December 2019. I was 59 years old at the time. The hike to the 1st line was a good uphill hike. They give you a break about half way up. My favourite was the line that went by the El Chorro Falls. They stopped you right in front of them with the best view period of the falls! The view was awesome. Definitely take this Canopy Adventure!! See more..
4.5 ScubaCaribe (8 reviews)
- Excursion
Scuba & Snorkelling • Waterskiing & Jetskiing • Kayaking & Canoeing

Staff was very helpful and accommodating our request for a dive trip just off shore with their boat to a nearby island. The visibility wasn't great but the trip was good nonetheless. Newer rental equipment and competent crew. See more..
4.5 Tavida Waterfall (5 reviews)
- Stunning Natural Beauty
Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails • Waterfalls

Stunning waterfall in the mountains. Perfect place for a swim, contemplation, learning about permaculture, couples travel. You can go for the day for $5 or stay in one of the guest rooms for a few nights. Birds, flowers, cooler air - lovely place. Lunch was decent - great sautéed plantains and homemade orange cheesecake. See more..
4.0 Aprovaca (The Orchid Nursery & Conservation Center) (159 reviews)
- More than just orchids
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Educational sites

APROVACA is an orchid nursery & conservation center. We display over 100 beautiful orchids, most of which are native to Panama. We are one of the few places where the National Flower of Panama, the Holy Ghost Orchid, is grown. In the greenhouse dedicated exclusively to this endangered flower, each plant that grows has a sponsor, who donates $20 annually to help us care for and protect this gorgeous species. In our garden, you can see many unique orchid species, such as the vanilla orchid (vanilla is actually an orchid!), lady slipper orchids, oncidiums, other tropical botanicals and many miniature species. As such, there is no better place to learn about the amazingly rich and unique flora of Panama! Our center operates Hostel Orchid, the first genuine backpacker accommodation in El Valle. Also a few rooms can be booked for those preferring a more private experience. All bookings include free visit to the center. Visit our website to learn more. We are look forward to your visit! See more..
4.0 La Piedra Pintada (122 reviews)
- Great Historic Hike to El Chorro Macho
Historic Sites

We were interested in hiking this trail up to the beautiful waterfalls because of the Petroglyphs on a huge boulder that Indians had carved on 500 or so years ago. The Piedra Pintada means "Painted stone and is located at the entrance to the hike. At first you are led up a stone path along long tables of colorful wares that the locals are selling. Once in on the trail leading up to the waterfalls, it turns to a dirt path with many boulders strewn about making it more difficult to climb but definitely fun. There are many young people around to tell you about the petroglyphs if you want to know more about it for a fee, of course. We hiked up ourselves to the first waterfall. It was quite steep and we came across a few other people coming and going. It was a bit too touristy for my taste but if you go early in the day, you can avoid some of it and avoid the heat. See more..
4.0 El Serpentario (115 reviews)
- Great time
Nature & Wildlife Areas

We enjoyed our visit here. The guide was knowledgeable and allowed us all to hold the rainbow boa. Entertaining and educational. See more..
4.0 Sunday Market (83 reviews)
- Great Market
Flea & Street Markets

It's called a Sunday market, but it actually runs every day. We arrived around 1:30pm after a morning of pouring rain, so it wasn't too full. We found parking across the street. There is a bathroom, but it's 25 cents to use it, which is hilarious because they did not have any toilet paper or soap in the bathroom. Bring your own paper and it works in a pickle. The stall owners are super nice and very friendly. Some of them spoke English, but I'm not sure how exactly how many did, because my husband spoke Spanish to them. The prices are cheaper than they are in Casco in the city, and you get some more handcrafted goods than the cheaper "Made in China" stuff they have in the city. If you're in the area, I'd say its a worth a trip to buy some nice souvenirs. See more..
4.0 The Anton Valley Historical and Cultural Museum (49 reviews)
- Nice Small Museum
History Museums

This is a very small museum behind the church but has some very nice displays. It only takes a half hour or so to visit but has information on the geological history of the area, petroglyphs and historical and cultural artifacts. Note: Some of the recent reviews here are for the zoo, waterfall, etc. This is the museum, totally different! See more..