Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
6
Archipiélago de las Perlas
The soft sugary sand of Playa Cacique is Isla Contadora's
standout beach, but take a catamaran cruise to some of the archipelago's deserted cays and
islands.
7
Western Guna Yala
This end of the
comarca
hosts the country's greatest concentration of
picture-postcard white-sand beaches, with the sunken wreck at Isla Perro providing the most
popular snorkelling.
TRADITIONAL CULTURE
Combining village homestays with festival-going will give you greater insight into Panama's
diverse indigenous and colonial cultural heritage.
1
Festival de los Congos, Portobelo
Instituted by
cimarrones
- escaped African slaves - in
colonial times, this ebullient festival makes mockery of the Spanish court with its outlandish
costumes, ferocious devils and Congo drums.
2
Isla Tigre
Still carrying out community-based practices and home to the Guna dance, Isla
Tigre is best visited during the annual October fair or the February re-enactment of the Guna
revolution.
3
La Marea
Learn the skills of Emberá basketry and sleep in a hammock in an open-sided
bujia
- wooden house on stilts - allowing the sounds of the Darién jungle to lull you to sleep
in this welcoming community.
4
Corpus Christi, La Villa de Los Santos
This ultimate fusion of indigenous and colonial
Catholic culture is a riot of colourful costumes, mythical characters and religious ceremony.
5
Soloy
A handful of families in this dispersed community offer homestays, providing insight
into Ngäbe culture and the chance to explore the surrounding mountain scenery.
6
Traditional chocolate making
Visit the Ngäbe communities of Río Oeste Arriba or Silico
Creek to learn about artisanal chocolate making and get to taste some of the product.
7
Naso communities, Río Teribe
Get shown round Seiyik, seat of central America's last re-
maining monarch, and learn how to construct and pilot a traditional bamboo raft.
