La Ruina

Panamá Province


For a leisurely bite, La Ruina serves stem glasses of ceviche (citrus-cured seafood) and authentic chicken curried with coconut rice bocatoreño-style. Sit outside at the leatherette booths and pass the time by chatting with the owner or tapping along to the country tunes. There's a pool (US$5) should you feel the need to cool off.

La Ruina is run by a friendly US Army retiree and his Panamanian wife.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Panamá Province attractions

1. Playa Chame

11.9 MILES

The beach on the southern side of the peninsula has lovely tan sand and a wilderness backdrop. The area is notorious for stingrays, though, so swim with…

2. Square-Trunk Trees

16.83 MILES

El Valle’s peculiar árboles cuadrados (square-trunk trees) are located northeast of the Hotel Campestre. After a 30-minute hike through the forest and…

3. Aprovaca

17.31 MILES

For the largest selection of orquídeas (orchids) in the region, visit this idyllic, not-for-profit garden east of the center, run by the local association…

4. Museo Victoriano Lorenzo

17.58 MILES

The exhibits in the three rooms of this small museum east of the center focus on local history and the eponymous mestizo national hero. The most…

6. Zoológico El Níspero

17.77 MILES

About 1km north of Av Central, this zoo set in the forest is home to everything from tapirs and capuchin monkeys to jaguars and more than 50 species of…

7. Butterfly Haven

17.82 MILES

One of El Valle's top attractions allows you to walk among up to 250 butterflies as they flutter by in a screened 'flight house.' Learn more about these…

8. Museo Histórico Padre José Noto

18.29 MILES

The most interesting exhibits in this small, very central museum divided into seven sections are the ones focusing on petroglyphs and ceramics produced by…