Darien National Park
Location: Darien Panama
Year of Inscription: 1981
Criteria: (vii)to contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance;
(ix)to be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals;
(x)to contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.
Overview: Darien National Park is a biosphere reserve located in the eastern part of Panama. Covering an area of over 5,700 square kilometers, it is the largest protected area in Central America. The park is home to a vast range of plant and animal species, including jaguars, tapirs, harpy eagles, and numerous species of primates.
Prominent Features:
History: The Darien region has a long and rich history, with evidence of human habitation dating back thousands of years. The area has been home to a number of indigenous groups over the centuries, including the Chocó, Cuna, and Embera peoples. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the area was a major hub for trade, with Spanish galleons using the Gulf of Darien as a stopping point on their way to and from Peru and other parts of South America.
Family-Friendly Activities: The park offers a range of activities for families, including hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife spotting.
The Embera and Wounaan communities also offer cultural tours, providing visitors with an opportunity to learn about their traditional way of life, including their music, dance, and handicrafts.
Fun Fact: The Darien Gap has a reputation for being one of the most dangerous and inhospitable places on earth. Due to its dense jungle, swamps, and rivers, the area has been difficult to navigate for centuries. The region has also been used as a drug trafficking route, leading to increased violence and danger.
Entry Fees: Visitors are required to pay a park entrance fee of $20 per person.
How to Reach it: The park is located in the eastern part of Panama, approximately 325 kilometers from Panama City. There is no road access to the park, and visitors must either hike or take a boat from the nearest town of La Palma.
To reach La Palma by bus from Panama City, you can follow these steps:
Where to Stay: There are no lodges or hotels inside the park, but there are several options for accommodation in the nearby towns of La Palma and Yaviza. Visitors can also choose to stay with one of the indigenous communities inside the park, where they can experience the traditional way of life firsthand.
Next Stop: Archaeological Site of Panamá Viejo and Historic District of Panamá
Year of Inscription: 1981
Criteria: (vii)to contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance;
(ix)to be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals;
(x)to contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.
Overview: Darien National Park is a biosphere reserve located in the eastern part of Panama. Covering an area of over 5,700 square kilometers, it is the largest protected area in Central America. The park is home to a vast range of plant and animal species, including jaguars, tapirs, harpy eagles, and numerous species of primates.
Prominent Features:
- The park is situated in a region of great biological diversity, with a range of ecosystems, including lowland and montane rainforests, mangroves, rivers, and beaches.
- The park is also home to numerous indigenous communities, including the Embera, Wounaan, and Kuna tribes, who have lived in the region for centuries and continue to maintain their traditional way of life.
History: The Darien region has a long and rich history, with evidence of human habitation dating back thousands of years. The area has been home to a number of indigenous groups over the centuries, including the Chocó, Cuna, and Embera peoples. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the area was a major hub for trade, with Spanish galleons using the Gulf of Darien as a stopping point on their way to and from Peru and other parts of South America.
Family-Friendly Activities: The park offers a range of activities for families, including hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife spotting.
The Embera and Wounaan communities also offer cultural tours, providing visitors with an opportunity to learn about their traditional way of life, including their music, dance, and handicrafts.
Fun Fact: The Darien Gap has a reputation for being one of the most dangerous and inhospitable places on earth. Due to its dense jungle, swamps, and rivers, the area has been difficult to navigate for centuries. The region has also been used as a drug trafficking route, leading to increased violence and danger.
Entry Fees: Visitors are required to pay a park entrance fee of $20 per person.
How to Reach it: The park is located in the eastern part of Panama, approximately 325 kilometers from Panama City. There is no road access to the park, and visitors must either hike or take a boat from the nearest town of La Palma.
To reach La Palma by bus from Panama City, you can follow these steps:
- Take a bus from Panama City to Meteti: You can take a bus from the Albrook Bus Terminal in Panama City to Meteti. The journey takes around 5-6 hours. From Meteti, you can take another bus to La Palma.
- Take a bus from Meteti to La Palma: After arriving in Meteti, you can take a bus to La Palma. The journey takes around 2-3 hours.
Where to Stay: There are no lodges or hotels inside the park, but there are several options for accommodation in the nearby towns of La Palma and Yaviza. Visitors can also choose to stay with one of the indigenous communities inside the park, where they can experience the traditional way of life firsthand.
Next Stop: Archaeological Site of Panamá Viejo and Historic District of Panamá