Emberá Village Tour from Panama City: Chagres National Park, Canoes & Indigenous Culture
Previous: Bird-Watching, Ancon Hill Panorama
Is an Emberá Village Tour Worth It?
If you’re visiting Panama City and want to experience Panama’s Indigenous culture, an Emberá village tour is one of the best day trips available. After a canoe ride through Chagres National Park, you’ll learn about traditional medicine, basket weaving, rainforest life, and enjoy lunch with members of the Emberá community before returning to the city.
Highlights of an Emberá Village Tour
- Canoe ride through Chagres National Park
- Tropical rainforest scenery
- Traditional Indigenous village
- Medicinal plants
- Local cuisine
- Basket weaving demonstration
- Traditional dance
- Wildlife viewing
- Great travel photography opportunities
I am not a fan of group tours.
There are few travel experiences less authentic than being shuffled around in a van with a bunch of other tourists while someone holds a clipboard and tells you when to look left.
However, I wanted to visit one of the traditional Indigenous villages near Panama City, so I begrudgingly signed up for a day trip to an Emberá village.
The morning began with an early pickup at my hotel before we drove into Parque Nacional Chagres. From there, we boarded a canoe and made our way along the river toward the village.
Beautiful scenery.
Warm tropical air.
Lush rainforest.
And a casual reminder that swimming was probably not the best idea.
Watch out, kids—crocodile.
Once we arrived, we were welcomed into the village and given a tour of the area. Our guide explained how many local plants are used for medicine, food, and daily life. One plant supposedly numbed parts of the body when eaten.
Naturally, the guide asked if anyone wanted to try it.
No one volunteered.
I couldn’t believe it.
Travel is about getting out of your comfort zone and experiencing how other people live.
So, of course, I ate the leaf.
I was the only one.
And yes, my mouth went partially numb for the next 30 minutes.
Totally worth it.
We later shared lunch in the village and watched demonstrations on traditional customs, daily life, and basket weaving. Yes, parts of the visit were touristy. There was a traditional dance, and yes, visitors were encouraged to participate.
Was I graceful?
Absolutely not.
Was anyone surprised?
Also no.
But even with the tourist structure, I enjoyed the experience. I learned something, met people, and had the chance to photograph a place I never would have accessed on my own.
As usually happens, I eventually gravitated toward the kids in the village. Children are often the best subjects because they are curious, funny, and far less self-conscious than adults. I managed to capture several photographs I really liked, including one that later became a watercolor painting.
Photography Tip
The children in the village were some of my favorite subjects. Rather than asking everyone to pose, I simply walked around, smiled, played with the kids, and photographed natural interactions. Those usually become my favorite travel photographs—and often my favorite watercolor paintings.
From Photograph to Watercolor
One of the photographs I made while playing with the children later became a watercolor painting. Travel photography gives me reference material, but my goal is never to copy the photograph exactly. Instead, I simplify shapes, exaggerate color, and try to capture the memory of the experience rather than every tiny detail.By mid-afternoon, we returned to Panama City.
After a brief siesta—which sounds much more sophisticated than “I was tired and needed to lie down”—I headed back out with my camera for one of my favorite travel activities: evening photography.
Panama City at night is spectacular, and after a day in the rainforest, canoes, crocodile territory, medicinal plants, and questionable dancing, ending the evening with skyline photographs felt like the perfect finish.
Next: Old Panama, Casco Viejo (Otra Vez), Amador Sunset
Day 1: Panama City & Casco Viejo
Day 2: Portobelo & Fort San Lorenzo, Highest Rooftop Bar Central America
Day 3: Birdwatching, Ancon Hill, Sunset Views
Day 4: Indigenous Village, Skyline Photographs
Day 5: Old Panama (ruins), Casco Viejo, Amador Water Views, Parque Metropolitano
References
Hotels
AC Hotel by Marriott Panama City– Beautiful rooftop infinity pool overlooking city. Walking distance to beach
Sofitel Legend– located in charming colonial Casco Viejo neighborhood
JW Marriott– panorama rooftop views with 4 pools
W Panama– amazing views of downtown buildings
Coffee
You have to be blind to not be able to find coffee in Panama. There are shops all over the place- but not many Starbucks (thank God!). However, since I always go out very early- I usually pack some canned coffee purchased the day before at grocery/convenience store.
Tours
I booked several tours in Panama- one to an indigenous village NE of the city, and a half-day birding expedition (highly recommended).
Travel Guides
Lonely Planet Panama– While I use the internet for tons of research, I also enjoy carrying a real guidebook with me (JIC)
Travel Guide Panama City– focused solely on city and surrounding environs
Flights
I found a cheap flight on:
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Ryan Fox AWS, NWS, TWSA
Ryan Fox Painting
(919) 645-8345