Shopping

Sunday Market -- El Valle is regionally famous for its Sunday Market that takes place along the town's main Avenida Principal. It's not a grand bazaar but a colorful and lively event that draws vendors, many of whom are Ngobe-Buglé and Emberá Indians from around the area who come to hawk traditional clothing, handicrafts, baskets, ceramics, vegetables, orchids, food items, and more. There is a scaled-down version of the market open every day -- Saturdays are often quite happening. Hours for the market are 8am to 5pm.

Next to the market is the Tienda Artesanía Don Pepe (tel. 983-6425; daily 8am-6pm), which has an extensive selection of well-made indigenous art and handicrafts from around Panama, plus other trinkets, souvenirs, and maps. Next door to Don Pepe is the Residencial El Valle and its ground-level shop David's (tel. 983-6536; daily 7am-7pm), with a similar, high-quality selection of handicrafts, many of which are made on the premises.