Connect with the Indigenous Communities of Panamá

Learn about tradition and nature by visiting one of the indigenous communities of Panamá. Most live in protected territories distributed throughout the country. In these territories, the seven native peoples of Panamá — Guna, Naso Tjër Di, Ngäbe, Buglé, Bri Bri, Emberá, and Wounaan — practice ancestral forms of government, keep their traditional dances and songs alive generation after generation, and hold on to their deep cosmological beliefs and cultural expressions.

The indigenous peoples of Panamá are expert artisans who create exquisite wood carvings, miniatures made from the hard ivory palm seed, beautiful baskets, masks, handbags woven with plant fibers, and colorful traditional garments, such as the Mola.

Although seven native peoples are recognized in Panamá, several of them, by sharing similar traditions, have joined together to form communities. Today, these groups are especially organized to welcome visitors and share their culture:

Gunas: Live and preserve their traditions in the Guna Yala Comarca, which includes part of the Panamanian Caribbean coast and the islands of the archipelago of the same name.
Emberá-Wounaan: Reside in the Emberá-Wounaan Comarca and in communities settled within Chagres National Park, where they share their culture amidst the tropical rainforest.
Ngäbe-Buglé: Live in the Ngäbe-Buglé Comarca, guarding mountains and waterfalls in the provinces of Chiriquí, Veraguas, and Bocas del Toro.
Naso Tjër Di: Inhabit the Naso Tjër Di Comarca, located in the province of Bocas del Toro, and are protectors of biodiversity within La Amistad International Park and the rivers that cross their territory.
Bri Bri: A minority group that lives along the western border of the country, within La Amistad International Park in Bocas del Toro province. Although they currently do not offer organized tourism activities, they remain an integral part of Panamá’s cultural identity.