El Valle is a charming seven square mile village surrounded by a volcanic
caldera that had existed for millennia as a deep lake. Then several thousand
years ago the crater sprung a leak and when the lake emptied some of the
richest volcanic soil in the world remained on the valley floor. This soil,
called tierra negra or black earth, is so esteemed by local horticulturists
that it’s sold in bags throughout the republic and you can see its affect on
many of the sprouting fence posts lining local roads. El Valle’s cool 2,000
foot elevation has made it a coveted retreat for established Panamanian
families since the
