Indigenous Communities Near Panama City

The Guna People

This is the Guna people, who although they have their region in another region of the country, have also colonized the city with their presence and their fascinating art.

In Casco Antiguo visit the Museo de la Mola to understand in depth the art and meaning of their most representative crafts, then go to Paseo Huertas, where you will personally meet the artisans with their works for sale. You can also connect with them in Panama Viejo, delight yourself with their art in the National Handicraft Market and do not leave without taking a mola or one of their bead bracelets.

But if you want to meet the Guna people in their own lands, this is also possible. Visit the Guna Yala region. A territory made up of about 365 islands, as they say, one for each day of the year, in the middle of a totally turquoise Caribbean Sea. There you will feel like you are in a postcard that came to life.

The Emberá-Wounaan

A few minutes from Panama City, in the middle of forests and protected areas, you can share with another indigenous people, the Emberá-Wounaan.

On the shores of the Chagres River and Gatun Lake, they have settled some villages that have organized tourist experiences and you can easily visit them on excursions of one or more days.

In total, six communities are closer to the city. Tusipono, Parara Purú, Purú Biakirú, Emberá Drua and Ella Purú are on the banks of the Chagres River while Emberá Quera is on the shores of Lake Gatún. When you visit any of them, you will navigate in traditional canoes, go through lush forests and listen to their shamans talk about plants that cure illnesses.

Visit them at Chagres River

To visit the communities settled on the banks of the Chagres River, arrive at the port of Corotú, approximately one hour from the city, and begin the adventure by canoeing on Lake Alajuela.

On the way, do not miss the waterfall of the Chagres Canyon, to swim in crystal clear waters. Continue to the community that you have chosen to have your cultural experience. They will tell you about their traditions, their ancestral knowledge of natural medicine and will introduce you to their ceremonial dances inspired by the diversity of the forest. Dance with them, try their instruments and costumes, get tattooed with natural dyes and take home a souvenir. Their arts.

They all share the same culture, but each community has its own charm. Tusipono is the closest community to the port, and is the residence of the current Chagres cacique. Emberá Drua was one of the first community settlements on the Chagres, while Purú Biakirú is one of the most recent. Parara Purú, a pioneer in community tourism programs, has a small museum with ancient elements of the Emberá-Wounaan traditions.

In all of them you will learn about the traditional dress, accompanied by necklaces and bracelets with designs that speak about them and their role in the community. The Emberá-Wounaan women will tell you about the art of weaving leaves of the chunga and nahuala palms painted with natural dyes. You will see how they make baskets, mats, plates, ornaments and masks with high quality weaving and incredible designs.

The Emberá-Wounaan are also expert carvers and work with branches or fallen trees of precious woods with which they make true works of art. They also carve tagua seeds, a frequent adornment in Panamanian homes. 

The price ranges to go and spend time with them are approximately $120-$150.

Visit them at the Shores of Gatun Lake

To meet the Emberá Querá, on the banks of the Gatún, you will have to travel a little less than an hour by car to the Emberá Querá Meeting Point, which you can find on Google Maps. At this meeting point, between the provinces of Panama and Colon, members of the community will be waiting to take you in their canoe for 30 minutes.

The Emberá Querá offer day-long experiences in which you can watch their dances, learn about medicinal plants and get temporary tattoos with natural dyes. They also have a traditional fishing activity and a tour that includes lodging in a “Tambo”, their traditional houses made of wood with palm leaf roofs. 

The Emberá Querá community's plans range from $55 to approximately $150. 

To make any of these plans you must make a reservation in advance. Remember to bring your documents, cash, comfortable shoes, bathing suit and appropriate clothing for walking through the forest. But above all, do not forget to open your mind and spirit to adventure.