Chorro el Macho Waterfall
Anton Valley
Tumbling 280 feet (85 meters) from dense jungle, Chorro el Macho waterfall is a scenic highlight of the Anton Valley (El Valle de Anton). Included in many guided tours of the area, the waterfall offers visitors a chance to spend time in the lush forest that blankets the Anton Valley, which is the crater of an extinct volcano.
Chorro el Macho waterfall is one of Anton Valley’s most accessible hikes, a round-trip walk that takes 30 minutes at a leisurely pace. Thrill-seekers will find ziplines and suspension bridges onsite, offering views of the falls from high in the forest canopy. You can swim in a natural pool at the waterfall's base for a small additional fee, though water levels may be too low for swimming in the dry season.
Bring a towel and a bathing suit to enjoy the swimming hole.
Wear sturdy shoes, as the trail surface is uneven.
Watch for wildlife—monkeys are a common sight here.
The waterfall is located 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) north of Anton Valley’s main town center, with a marked trailhead on the left-hand side of the road. If you’re coming in your own car, parking is available onsite. Taxis and local buses are also plentiful within Anton Valley.
The entrance to Chorro el Macho is open every day from 8am to 5pm. The waterfall is most spectacular when Panama’s January–May wet season causes water levels to surge dramatically. Things calm down (and the pools sometimes dwindle away entirely) during the dry season stretching from February to April.
Nature is the main draw in this scenic mountain valley, whether hiking to Chorro el Macho or heading to the colorful Butterfly Haven that houses hundreds of vibrant butterflies. Other top activities in Anton Valley include Aprovaca (The Orchid Nursery & Conservation Center), the Los Pozos Termales hot springs, and El Nispero Zoo and Botanical Garden.
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