This renovated museum housed in a beautiful blue-and-white colonial building is small but does a thorough job examining the history and traditions of Coclé and, by extension, Panama, with a surprisingly good collection of pre-Columbian pottery, religious art and traditional furniture.
Museo de Penonomé
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Basílica Menor Santiago Apóstol
16.67 MILES
Natá's principal draw is this 16th-century cathedral, thought to be the oldest church built in the Americas still in use today. Indigenous artisans did…
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Refugio de Vida Silvestre Cenegón del Mangle
29.55 MILES
This 776-hectare refuge about 25km north of Chitré protects a mangrove forest at the mouth of the Río Santa María. It's an important wildlife area and…
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12.83 MILES
This archaeological site, under extensive renovation at the time of research, contains three pre-Columbian mounds dating from between AD 500 and 1200. The…
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7.53 MILES
This local cigar factory enjoys quite a reputation internationally for its unique hand-rolled Cuban-seed puros (cigars). Depending on the time of year, a…
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23.23 MILES
Located 9km southeast of central Aguadulce, this saltworks is a crucial habitat for marsh and shore birds. The area draws local and international…
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15.96 MILES
Located in the northwestern corner of the valley, La Piedra Pintada is a huge boulder adorned with pre-Columbian carvings. Locals sometimes fill in the…
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22.85 MILES
Officially called the Museo Regional Stella Sierra, but better known by its former title, Museo de la Sal y Azúcar, this museum in the former post office,…
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16.86 MILES
The most famous waterfall in the El Valle region is 35m-high Chorro El Macho, one of four cascades located about 2km north of town; it's a 15-minute walk…
Nearby attractions
1. Basilica Mayor San Juan Bautista
0.18 MILES
Dominating the central plaza, this 'major basilica' (a title bestowed on certain Roman Catholic cathedrals) stands on the site of an original 16th-century…
7.53 MILES
This local cigar factory enjoys quite a reputation internationally for its unique hand-rolled Cuban-seed puros (cigars). Depending on the time of year, a…
3. Mercado de Artesanías La Pintada
8.05 MILES
La Pintada’s artisans' market – specializing in sombreros pintados, the 'painted hats' unique to Panama and especially famous in Penonomé and surrounds –…
4. Parque Arqueológico del Caño
12.83 MILES
This archaeological site, under extensive renovation at the time of research, contains three pre-Columbian mounds dating from between AD 500 and 1200. The…
15.4 MILES
The most accessible of the waterfalls around El Valle is Chorro Las Mozas, located about 2km southwest of town; you can reach it on foot from the center…
15.96 MILES
Located in the northwestern corner of the valley, La Piedra Pintada is a huge boulder adorned with pre-Columbian carvings. Locals sometimes fill in the…
7. Museo Histórico Padre José Noto
16.54 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…
8. Basílica Menor Santiago Apóstol
16.67 MILES
Natá's principal draw is this 16th-century cathedral, thought to be the oldest church built in the Americas still in use today. Indigenous artisans did…