Head of Province: La Palma
Population: 40,284inhabitants (2000 census) of which 4,200 in La Palma (2004)
Population: 8,246 inhabitants (2000 census) in the Embera Territory
Surface:
Coastal Area: Pacific Ocean
Major Islands: None.

The Darien Province is an unspoiled region for adventourous tourists. It extends an area of 16,000 km² covered by rivers, thick tropical vegetation (jungle), high peaks and paradisiacal beaches. This area is also known as the Tapon del Darien (The Darien Plug) because it is here where the Interamerican road is interrupted. This road crosses the whole of the Americas from Alaska down to Argentina/Chile.

Darien is a wild region located in the eastern extreme of the country bordering with Colombia on the East, Kuna Yala (San Blas) in the North, the Pacific Ocean on the South and the Province of Panama in the Northwest. In the early times what was known as the Isthmus of Darien was what is nowadays known as Darien and San Blas.

Colonial Times

The Europeans first discovered Darien in 1501 and two years later Christopher Columbus sighted in on his 4th voyage to the new world. It is then not surprising that the Spaniards founded the very first European colony in Central and South America in 1510 and it was named the town of Santa Maria La Antigua del Darien by driving out the indian chief Cemaco and his people. This historical landmark was abandoned in 1519 after Pedrarias Davila founded the city of Panama and finally in 1524 it was burn to ashes by the indians.

The atrocities described by Bartolome de las Casas and Fernandez Oviedo in their chronicles explain the violence of the Spanish Conquest in Panama and many of these were inspired in by the conquest of Darien.

Other unsuccessful attempts to colonize Darien are credited to the Scottish and the French. As a result of the foundation of Panama city on the Pacific coast, the interest of the Spaniards shifted to new centers of commercial activity thus leaving Darien abandoned to its fate. It later on became a place of hiding for bucaneers and pirates. The exploitation of the gold mines of Darien in the XVIII century gave Darien a new much needed boost; unfortunately the falling prices of the gold plunged the province into oblivion.

The Scottish attempt - The Darien scheme- was made in 1698 by the creation of the colony of New Edinburgh in the isthmus of Darien. Do not be confused however, New Edinburgh was in what is nowadays known as San Blas or Kuna Yala. This attempt ended in utter failure (or disaster) which lead the Scottish parliament to join the English parliament in the Acts of Union of 1707.

The native population of Darien was nearly exterminated by the Spaniards in the XVII century.

Present Days

The population of Darien is mainly of black groups, descendants of black fugitive slaves brought to the Isthmus during colonial times. They settled mainly in the towns of Yaviza, La Palma, El Real, Chepigana, Jaqué and Puerto Obaldia.

Additionally the province is also inhabited by natives (indians) of the Wounaan and Embera tribes that migrated from Chocó in Colombia and live still with the same customs they had thousand of years ago inside the Darien National Province. These tribes are now grouped in two territories within the Darien province called the Embera Wounaan National Park.

There are no major differences between the Embera and the Wounaan except for their language, their customs are the same. They live in the forest on the shores of the Sambu, Jaque, Chico, Turquesa, Membrillo, Tuira, Yape and Tucuti rivers. They engage mainly in suistainable agriculture, hunting, fishing and raising fowl. They are excellent wood carvers and basket weavers. These are of excellent quality and are available for sale.

You can find beautiful souvenirs made by the Embera Wounaan. Not only their baskets but also the magnificent carvings in wood and in "Tagua" seeds (a hard nut from the Tagua tree). These carvings represent iguanas, monkeys, tigers, birds and all sort of animals found in their domain.

Another great skill of the Embera Wounaan is the construction of the best canoes in Panama known as "piraguas". And you can believe that because even the Panama Canal Commission (currently the Autoridad Interoceanica) uses these canoes to transport their expert to hard to reach areas.

The largest rivers in the province of Darien are the Tuira and Chucunaque rivers. Darien is the last frontier for many endangered species and is considered one of the most complete tropical ecosystems in all of the American continent.

Exploring by car

The farthest you can get into Darien by car (and the closest to Colombia by car) is to the town of Yaviza (near El Real) in a 9 hour trip. This is about 378 kms. from the capital. The distance to the border between Panama and Darien on the interamerican road is about 216 kms.

By Public Transport - Bus Terminals

You can get there by regular scheduled busses from Panama city but only to the town of Yaviza. The best way to get to Darien is by plane and then continue by boat to whatever your destination is in Darien.

Cruises, Boat trips, To the Islands

Due to the dense jungle most of the internal transport is by canoe (piraguas) or small boats.

Hotels, Pensions, Bed & Breakfast

Coastal Areas - Beaches

Sports

World renowned fishing as it is the home of the Black Marlin and the Pacific Sailfish.

Villas and Resorts in the Area

The Tropical Star Lodge in Bahia Piñas near Jaqué. This is however a luxurius eco lodge that only very rich people can afford. Actor John Wayne used to visit it every year. The Tropical Star Lodge holds 40 world records.

Recommended side-trips

Darien National Park. Occupies most of the southern part of the province. It covers 579,000 hectares with the most important and varied ecosystems in the region.

It was declared a World Heritage for Humanity by the UNESCO in 1953. It offers the possibility to observe different birds among which the Harpy Eagle, the jaguar, ocelot, howling monkeys, caymans and the American crocodile. As you walk into the thick vegation you can sight troops of monkeys advancing throught the tree tops. If you are lucky you can also spot the golden head Quetzal. This species was recently discovered in the vicinity of Pirre Hill. Inside this park you find the Cerro Takarkuna whose peak reaches 1,875 mts above sea level. Obviously the best season to visit the Takarkuna is after the rainy season, during the month of January.

The Darien National Park is managed by the National Authority for the Environment (ANAM in Spanish) and it is necessary to request authorization to visit the reserve. The ANAM has built three lodging stations on the Tucuti river, Cerro Pirre and Cruce de Mono. These are cabins with dormitories and beds and are ideal for camping. You must however carry all your articles or primary need!.

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