One of the remarkable contrasts of modern Panama is the enduring community of native Embera people. Spend this day learning about the culture and traditions of these people as you explore the Chagres River.

Leave your hotel early in the morning in a microbus with a naturalist tour guide, and then board a dugout canoe to strike out into Chagres River. Upon arrival at the Embera community, explore while your tour guide provides information on the people and their culture.

The Embera originally came to the region more than 300 years ago, settled in the Darien Jungle, and have kept their ancestral traditions ever since, from the blowgun with poison hunting darts to their elevated-bin houses with palm-leaf roofs.

During your visit, you can see the Embera perform a welcome flute dance and admire the famous taguas, small sculptures made from a seed known as vegetable ivory due to its solid texture. The Embera also produce unique woodcrafts with precious wood from the Cocobolo tree. You can see fantastic woven baskets that sometimes take several days to produce, and purchase some of their handicrafts and art pieces if you like.

After a traditional lunch, take a rest before you return to the river, where you can swim and enjoy the cool waters before your return to Panama City.