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Panama · Panama Canal & Gamboa

Emberá communities on the Chagres

Community tourism in Chagres National Park. Reached by dugout canoe from Puerto Corotú; you pay the community plus park entry.

3 places

  1. 1

    NatureOpen

    Chagres National Park

    Northeast of the capital. The usual access is via La Cabima to Puerto Corotú on Lake Alajuela, about an hour from the city.41.6 km from the centre

    Entry
    B/.5.00
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Protected area in the upper Chagres River basin, which feeds the canal. It includes Lake Alajuela and several Emberá communities that receive visitors.

    Source: Cobros por servicios ambientales – PN Chagres – MiAmbiente · 2025 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    According to MiAmbiente (8 Feb 2025, Resolution DM-0013-2024): foreigners B/.5.00; nationals and foreign residents under 57 (women) or 62 (men) B/.3.00; national students B/.1.00 (next to this fee, the notice says that children under 12 do not pay); foreign university students B/.3.00 if they take part in academic or research trips, with a letter from their university approved by MiAmbiente; national retirees, pensioners, national seniors and foreign residents over 57 (women) or 62 (men) B/.1.50. The figures are the same as in 2008.
    Booking
    Pay online at miambiente.gob.pa (Pagos de admisión de áreas protegidas).

    Sources: Cobros por servicios ambientales – PN Chagres – MiAmbiente · Conozca las tarifas de ingreso al Parque Nacional Chagres – La Prensa · Emberá: the children of the river – Panorama of the Americas

  2. 2

    CultureOpen

    Emberá community of Parará Purú

    Chagres River, about 15 minutes by motorized canoe from Puerto Corotú (Lake Alajuela).22.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not confirmed
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Emberá community in Chagres National Park offering community tourism: dances, crafts, a walk to a waterfall and a traditional lunch. Reached by dugout canoe from Puerto Corotú.

    Source: Embera Parara Puru S.A. – web oficial de la comunidad · 2026 · +3

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Direct contact with the community: from about US$55 per person for groups over 5, including the boat from Puerto Corotú (Panorama of the Americas, 2022). Agencies charge more; a 2014 blog (updated 2023) cites about US$125 per person. 2026 rates not confirmed. Chagres National Park entry is extra.
    Booking
    The community runs a community-tourism company, Embera Parara Puru S.A., which takes bookings through the phone numbers and e-mail on its official site (Monday to Sunday, 9:00 to 14:00). It offers day visits and overnight stays. Agencies also sell the trip.

    Tip: This is a lived-in community, not a show. Ask before photographing people, buy crafts directly and follow your hosts' guidance. Jagua body paint is optional.

    Nearby: Emberá Drúa community (4 km)

    Sources: Embera Parara Puru S.A. – web oficial de la comunidad · Del río Chagres a la comunidad Emberá – TVN (26 jun. 2026) · Emberá: the children of the river – Panorama of the Americas · ATP avanza planes de turismo comunitario con los Emberá de la Cuenca del Canal

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  3. 3

    CultureOpen

    Emberá Drúa community

    Upriver from Parará Purú on the Chagres, inside Chagres National Park; boat access from Puerto Corotú.25.7 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not confirmed
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Emberá community founded in 1975, further up the Chagres. It has a clear-water stretch of river with a small beach where ATP says swimming is safe.

    Source: Tour Comunidad Emberá Drúa (agencia Pa' Hoy Pa') · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Not published by the community. One agency sells the full day from US$99 per person, excluding ITBMS (sales tax), drinks and tips; it includes transport, Chagres National Park and community entry, dugout canoe, the waterfall walk and lunch (agency data, checked Oct 2026).

    Tip: Visits to the Chagres communities include hikes, medicinal-plant trails and the 'Quebrada Bonita' waterfall (ATP). Check river levels and boat time with the community before going.

    Nearby: Emberá community of Parará Purú (4 km)

    Sources: Tour Comunidad Emberá Drúa (agencia Pa' Hoy Pa') · ATP avanza planes de turismo comunitario con los Emberá de la Cuenca del Canal · Emberá: the children of the river – Panorama of the Americas

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