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Darién Province

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A small wharf in the Caribbean Sea at Sapzurro and Capurgana in Colombia.

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Overview

One of the world’s richest biomes is the 2240-sq-mile (5790-sq-km) Parque Nacional Darién, where the primeval meets the present with scenery nearly unaltered from one million years ago. Even today in the Darién, the Emberá and Wounaan people maintain many of their traditional practices and retain generations-old knowledge of the rainforest. 

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Reserva Natural Punta Patiño

    Reserva Natural Punta Patiño

    Darién Province

    On the southern shore of the Golfo de San Miguel, this 263-sq-km wildlife reserve is owned by the private conservation group ANCON. It contains species…

  • Río Sambú

    Río Sambú

    Darién Province

    Traveling the wide and very brown Sambú River is a memorable experience: you'll glide past spectacular mangroves – five of the world's seven known species…

  • Bayano Caves

    Bayano Caves

    Darién Province

    On the south side of Lago Bayano, the Bayano Caves are a fun adventure. Cavers wade up Río Tigre though a sculpted Paleolithic cavern that is 850m long…

  • Fuerte San Lorenzo

    Fuerte San Lorenzo

    Darién Province

    Just across the Golfo de San Miguel on Isla El Encanto are the ruins of the Fort of St Lawrence slowing being consumed by the jungle. There's not much…

  • Puerto Indio

    Puerto Indio

    Darién Province

    From Sambú, visitors can cross the Río Sábalo Bridge to the twin village of Puerto Indio (with permission from the Emberá and Wounaan) and visit…

  • Fuerte de San Gerónimo

    Fuerte de San Gerónimo

    Darién Province

    Yaviza's only real 'sight' (apart from the wobbly footbridge spanning the Río Chucunaque), the ruined Fort of St Geronimo, built by the Spanish to keep…

  • Bayamón

    Bayamón

    Darién Province

    This Emberá village south of Sambú is worth visiting. Get here by public bus (US$1), which runs along the paved road leading south from town between 6am…

  • Río Sábalo Bridge

    Río Sábalo Bridge

    Darién Province

    Cross the Río Sábalo bridge to reach Sambú's twin indigenous village of Puerto Indio.

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