Darien Panama

The Darien province stretches to the border with Colombia. Its residents live in small towns, and include members of the Guna and Embera-Wounaan indigenous groups. La Palma is the capital of the province where most locals live. The Darien National Park consists of a mosaic of habitats, including rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, mangroves, cloud forests, swamps, mountains rising up to the Cerro Tacarcuna at 1,875m high, and large expanses of tropical forests. This ecological diversity has allowed the Darien to become among the most species-rich ecosystems in Central America, and one of the most biodiverse rainforests in the world.

Things to do in Darien Panama

Visit the Darien National Park
This park occupies the largest part of the province and protects the main and most diversified ecosystems of the region. In 1983 this National Park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Visitors will find the best conditions to observe many different species of birds and mammals such as the Jaguar, Ocelot, Howler Monkey, Tapir, Caiman and the American Crocodile. Other attractions of the National Park include gorgeous white sand beaches, mangroves, waterfalls, and a lot of tropical primary forest.

Location and Map

The Darien is a province in eastern Panama, partially bounded by Colombia and the Pacific Ocean. It's home to a vast wilderness commonly called the "Darién Gap," which refers to the roadless swathe of forest that is the "missing link" in the Pan-American Highway. Darien National Park is located in the southernmost region of Panama. The road distance from Panama City to the Darien National Park  is 282.3 km. The best way is to take a taxi or car and drive about  6hrs and 30m.