Panama
Wounaan community
Half day tour to meet the Wounaan indigenous community along the Panama Canal.
Price from 58$
- Meeting at the Gamboa pier
- Community based tourism
- Meeting at 9 AM
- Half day tour
- Daily departure
- Lunch included
- English speaking guide
- Confirmation required
Schedule
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09 AM
Meeting at the Gamboa pier
-
09:30 AM
Arrival at Monkey island
-
11:30 AM
Arrival at the Wounaan community
-
01 PM
Leaving the community
-
03 PM
Back to Gamboa pier in Panama city
Nature and outdoors
History and culture
Solidariety and community
Food and socialization
Why is community based tourism really important? As much as we would like to differ, we live in a price based economy, which means that if we do not put a value on things, they automatically become valueless. How can a life be valueless? How can nature be so? There is an invisible value of nature that markets struggle to recognize. Tourism covers, for this matter, a key role. We give to nature, culture, personal exchange a price and so on we provide protection to parks, communities and animals. If you visit the Wounaan community with us, not only you’re gonna have an incredible experience, but you will support the fight of the Wounaan community to be recognized and preserved. Check this video out.
The itinerary
This tour is dedicated to the indigenous community Wounaan, a small settlement nearby Gamboa in the Soberania Park ( 40 kms from Panama City ). Meeting at Gamboa public pier and where the chief of Wounaan community picks up aboard the boat with security equipment. On this excursion, we will travel by boat in the Panama Canal to discover secondary waterways, among which is the well-known Monkey Island, where various species of monkeys such as Titi and Capuchin jump into the boat to eat fruits used to attract them. With a little luck we can observe other animals on the route such as crocodiles, turtles and a variety of bird species to make this experience even more interesting. The boat sails among hidden islands in the exuberant nature typical of Gatun Lake, main water reserve of the Panama Canal, which allow participants the unique opportunity to observe the huge ships during the transit between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The tour continues to the village located in the heart of the tropical forest, to discover the secrets of this indigenous culture and assist an interesting speech of a member on the meaning of their traditional dance, music of the flutes that enchant the visitor during the exhibitions. Typical lunch included, based on fried fresh river fish and plantains served in a banana leaf, to eat without cutlery, and tropical fruits. Chance to make a tattoo with non-permanent vegetable dyes or walk in the forest where the botanist mentions the miraculous properties of some plants.
What is included?
- Gatun Lake boat tour to monkey island
- Guide in English and Spanish
- Donation to Wounaan Community village
- Lunch in the village with bottled water
What NOT included?
- Transportation from/to Panama City
- Personal expenses inside the community
What to bring?
We suggest you dress appropriately with light clothes, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat or cap and raincoat. You should bring cash for personal expenses.
For those who want to swim: swimsuit, towel and dry underwear.