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Chagres National Park

Chagres National Park: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Panama City: Chagres Rainforest and Embera Village Tour

1. From Panama City: Chagres Rainforest and Embera Village Tour

Explore Chagres National Park on a day trip from Panama City. Enjoy a traditional canoe ride on the Chagres River and hike to a preserved waterfall for a swim. Have lunch in an indigenous Embera village and find out about their culture. The day begins with a transfer by car from your hotel or residence in Panama City to the Chagres National Park, one of the most important forest and water reserves in Panama. Enjoy a traditional canoe ride on the Chagres River, followed by a half-hour walk through the jungle, walking on mud, water and slippery rocks to a beautiful and pristine waterfall that’s hidden from civilization. Take a refreshing some free time at the waterfall to swim, relax, and enjoy the scenery. Then, walk back to the canoe and continue to visit a real Embera indigenous community that will welcome you to enjoy lunch, traditional music, and dances in a hut. Afterward, learn about the culture and way of life of this tribe via a conversation with the chief or one of the leaders before returning to Panama City.

Embera Tribe, Waterfall and Rainforest Tour

2. Embera Tribe, Waterfall and Rainforest Tour

Ride a canoe up the Chagres River, and visit the traditional Embera village on a full-day tour. Learn about their traditional food, see their lively dances, and immerse yourself in their fascinating traditions.  Start with a pickup and a 1-hour drive from Panama City to the Chagres River, the largest river in the Panama Canal watershed. Board a motorized canoe for a 20-minute trip along the river, then stretch your legs on a short walk around the community , where if weather conditions permit, you can take a dip in a small river. Return to the canoe for the 45-minute ride to an Embera village, who have traditionally lived and worked at the edge of rivers, and are known throughout Panama for their distinctive songs, dances, and costumes.  The Embera tribe originates from the Darien region in Panama and the Choco region of Colombia. They have lived in this area for centuries, long before the first Spanish explorer set foot in the new world.  You’ll have 2 hours to explore the village, get to know some local people, and learn about life in the community. Sit down for a traditional lunch, then watch a dance that depicts the Embera's relationship with the natural world.  Before departing the village, shop for traditional handicrafts and souvenirs made by the local people. Head back down the river by canoe, and board the vehicle for the return trip to Panama City.

Panama: Chagres National Park & Embera Village Private Tour

3. Panama: Chagres National Park & Embera Village Private Tour

In Panama there are still several ethnic groups that still preserve their cultures and traditions, including their language, the Embera ethnic group is one of them, participate in this tour where you will admire the exuberance of the tropical forest, navigate the Chagres River in a canoe, enjoy a traditional lunch with seasonal fruit salad and you will learn a little about the tradition and culture of the Embera ethnic group, in short, it is an adventure tour, tradition and culture. Itinerary 08:00 am - pick up at the hotel 09:30 am - arriving at the local dock 09:45 am - boarding the canoe to navigate the Chagres river 10:15 am - dropping of the canoe to hike in the rainforest to go to the waterfall (depends on your physical condition) 11:15 am - back to the canoe 12:00 noon - lunch at the Embera village and speech given by one of the leaders of the community 12:45 - traditional Embera dance 13:15 - back to the canoe 14:00 - drop of at the hotel (times may vary due to the wheather and traffic)

Other Sightseeing Options in Chagres National Park

Want to discover all there is to do in Chagres National Park? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Chagres National Park

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 93 reviews

Without a doubt, it was one of the best activities to do in Panama. Fernando was our guide and he was always very open, kind and friendly; in addition to telling us many things about the country and the Emberá culture. As for the indigenous people: impressive. The place lends itself to enjoying the scenery from the canoe and experienced a bit of walking. Once in town, the emberas were super friendly, the food was excellent, and the explanation and cultural demonstration was super interesting. It is very worth it.

Excellent experience. Our guide was on time. All including the villager always taking care of everybody during the trail trip to the waterfall. Embera people were very instructive about their culture.

Virkelig sjov og spændende tur med den bedste guide Dan som virkelig var dygtig til at fortælle historie

Everything went smoothly and the visit to the Embera village was something special. Worth a visit!!

Great experience, guides are great and personal !!!!!