Panama
A former penal colony turned marine sanctuary, then a people who still live by the rhythm of the river
Panama
A journey between two Panamas isolated by choice or necessity: Coiba Island, a former penal colony whose forced isolation for over seventy years paradoxically preserved one of Central America's most intact coral reefs, then an Emberá community on the Chagres River, an Indigenous people who have chosen to preserve a traditional way of life despite their proximity to the capital.
When
Dec to April
Price
From 3 700€ excl. flights
(based on 2 people sharing)
How long
7 nights
Ideal length
Days 1-2
The first chapter unfolds at Coiba, the largest island in the Panamanian Pacific, whose former penal colony, closed in 2004, paradoxically protected the marine ecosystem by keeping fishermen and developers at bay for over seventy years. The UNESCO-listed marine national park is home to one of Central America's largest reef shark populations and serves as a seasonal passage point for humpback whales.
Day 1
Diving Coiba's reefs
A boat transfer to Coiba, a first dive on the marine park's pristine reefs, in search of reef sharks, manta rays, and schools of barracuda.
Day 2
The former penal colony and land wildlife
A visit to the remains of the former penal colony, overtaken by tropical vegetation, then a hike through the island's forest in search of howler monkeys and scarlet macaws, the only island population of the species in Panama.
Days 1-2
A return to the mainland and a journey by traditional dugout canoe on the Chagres River, which partly feeds the Panama Canal, to an Emberá community that has chosen to preserve a traditional way of life deep in the rainforest, less than two hours from the capital. Emberá villages live mainly from crafts, notably tagua nut carving and basket weaving, along with strictly regulated community tourism.
Day 1
A journey on the Chagres River
A journey by traditional dugout canoe on the Chagres River, through the rainforest bordering the Panama Canal, to the Emberá village, a traditional musical welcome and a lunch of grilled fish served in a banana leaf.
Day 2
Emberá crafts and a hidden waterfall
A discovery of Emberá crafts, tagua nut carving and traditional jagua body paint, then a hike to an isolated waterfall for a swim before the return to Panama City.
Other trips built in the same spirit — more to draw inspiration from.
6 nightsPanama City to the San Blas Islands
The canal linking two oceans, then a self-governed archipelago spared by mass tourism
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5 nightsPanama: Boquete, the Coffee and Volcán Barú Highlands
Central America's finest specialty coffee, grown in the shadow of a volcano visible from both oceans
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