THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Panama - page 157

$70/person (1-2 people, less for larger groups) for the day, which is approximately what
they receive per tourist from the tour operators. But you'll still need to ring in advance to
ensure a boat ride, and reaching Puerto de Corotú, the departure point for most villages on
Lago Alajuela, is time-consuming on public transport (2hr 30min) and will probably also
require some travel by taxi. To reach Corotú, take any bus signed “Transístmica” from the
front of Albrook bus terminal. Change at San Miguelito onto a bus bound for La Chibima.
After the bus stop, turn into the first road on your right, where you can find a taxi to take
you to the port (around $10). For a less touristy scene, visit an Emberá community in the
Darién, where with far fewer, and smaller tour groups, it's easier to learn about village life
without disrupting it.
CONTACTS
Comunidad Drua

6709 1233 (Ivan), trail2.com/embera . Tours cost $90/person, for

two people.
Comunidad Emberá Quera 6703 9475, emberapanama.com . On Río Gatún. $70/
person for two people, or from $115/person overnight, including all transport, meals and
activities.
Comunidad Parará Puru 6758 7600, emberavillagetours.com . $175/person for 2
people, or $120 for at least five people. More expensive than most as can offer bilingual
guiding.
Comunidad Tusipono Emberá 6539 7918 (Antonio Tócamo), emberatusipon-

o09.blogspot.com . Only does day tours.
Emberá Errebachi Tulio 275 3076, [e-mail] . On Río Piedra, Colón,
also visited by Panama Outdoor Adventures (see Activities around Portobelo ). $25/person.

Cerro Azul
On the southern edge of Parque Nacional Chagres, 40km northeast of Panama City, the area
known as Cerro Azul is one of two entry points to the park - the other being at Lago
Alajuela . Though designating both a mountain peak and a nearby village, Cerro Azul gen-
erally refers to the mountainous area around both. It is very popular with more affluent
Panamanians - and increasingly with foreign retirees - many of whom have second homes
peppered along the fringes of the park boundary, attracted by the accessible fresh mountain
air and great views (when the mists clear). It's not as wild as the Darién or Amistad, but for
birdwatchers and nature lovers with limited time, Cerro Azul makes for a convenient break
from Panama City, with a couple of comfortable accommodation options within reach of the
forest. You can easily get within striking distance of the park with an ordinary vehicle, since
the roads are asphalt as far as the gated residential area of Altos de Cerro Azul, or by bus.