Panama City: Emberá Village Overnight Tour

Journey to the Emberá village by canoe, explore their culture, and enjoy traditional dances and meals on this immersive tour.
Your adventure begins when one of the friendly and knowledgeable guides picks you up at your Panama City hotel around 7:30-8:00 AM. Enjoy a scenic drive of about an hour to the boat ramp, where members of the Emberá village will greet you with their traditional dugout canoe. As you journey upriver, take in the stunning flora and fauna of the region. Be sure to bring a raincoat for possible water spray during the canoe ride.

Upon arrival at the village, you will be welcomed with traditional music and a warm greeting from the villagers. You’ll have some free time to explore the village on your own before attending a short presentation about Emberá culture, traditions, and crafts. Following the presentation, enjoy a delicious lunch featuring either fish or chicken with patacones (fried plantains).
After lunch, you’ll have more free time to wander the village, purchase exquisite crafts, receive a temporary tattoo, or engage in conversations with the Emberá people. The villagers will then perform traditional shamanic and celebratory dances and music, offering a vibrant display of their cultural heritage.

Post-performance, relax and immerse yourself in village life. You can sit in a hammock, swim in the river, observe daily activities, play with the children, or explore the village’s houses, gardens, and farms. You may even have the unique experience of helping to harvest or prepare your dinner. Before dinner, you’ll head to your tambo, a traditional Emberá house made of palm leaves and wood, where you’ll share the space with individual mats provided for sleeping.

Dinner will be a delicious meal of stewed chicken over rice (subject to availability). After dinner, unwind around a campfire, listening to music and chatting with villagers. You can join in the dancing before settling in for the night. You’ll sleep as the Emberá do, on a sleeping pad with sheets, lulled by the soothing sounds of the village and jungle.

At sunrise, you can observe the morning routine from the comfort of your bed or join in by taking a refreshing morning bath in the river. Breakfast will be fry bread and eggs, accompanied by local tea or coffee. After a leisurely morning, you’ll head back to the city, arriving in the early afternoon with warm memories and new friendships among the Emberá people.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.