Emberá Purú Biakirú

Indigenous Communities in Panamá

Learn about tradition and nature through the eyes of Panamá’s 7 indigenous communities. Most of them live in protected territories, located all over the country. In these, Panamá’s 7 native ethnic groups (Guna, Naso Tjër Di, Ngäbe, Buglé, Bri bri, Emberá and Wounaan) practice ancestral forms of government, preserve dances and songs, and hold on to their deep cosmological beliefs and cultural expressions.

The Panamanian indigenous communities are composed of expert craftsmen who produce exquisite wood carvings, wonderful miniatures from the hard-ivory palm seed, beautiful baskets, masks, bags woven with vegetable fiber and colorful clothes like the Mola.

It is possible to visit them whether their location is by the sea, like the Gunas, in high mountains, like the Ngäbe, or nestled deep into the rainforest like the Emberá. These indigenous communities enjoy sharing their culture with visitors on an equal basis.

Discover the Cultures of Panamá

Enberá

Embera - Wounaan

The community is well known for its handmade crafts such as baskets and carved statues, as well as...

Ngäbe-Buglé

Ngäbe - Buglé

In the mountains of western Panamá, across 2,500 square miles (6,475 kilometers), live the...

Guna

Guna

The most visible of Panama’s indigenous communities are the members of the Guna tribe. As...

Naso Tjër Di

Naso

Naso Tjër Di are the last monarchy in force in the Americas, and in Siellik, you can experience...

Sitios Históricos

Cultural & Historic Sites

Panamá connects the world, and not only because it’s the bridge between North and...

Surf Isla Colon

Surfing

Panamá is a surfer’s haven. We welcome you to the stunning shores of our fishing...

Soberania National Park, bird

Birdwatching

Panamá is home and a place of pilgrimage to more than 1,000 bird species. The tropical...

Whale Whatching

Whale Watching

Coiba National

Turtle Sanctuaries

On the Sandy shores of Panamá, sea turtles live, grow, and thrive under our warm sun and safe...

Senderismo

Hiking

Rich in tropical flora, diverse wildlife, and picture-worthy sights, Panamá trails offer...

Pesca

Fishing

With world record fishing, more than 2,900 km (1,800 miles) of coastline and the perfect...

Copy of Herencia Afropanameña

Afro Heritage

Afro culture in Panamá is a vibrant and essential part of the country's cultural mosaic....

Playa Deseo

Diving & Snorkeling

Discover the magical and incredible Panamanian marine world while snorkeling and diving. Diverse...

playas

Beaches

Panamá is the isthmus connecting Central America and South America, and offers access to both...