Panama City: Embera Village & Mono Falls Day Trip with Lunch

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6
54 reviews
Activity provider:
Tao Travel 365 Tours
Add to wishlist
Panama City: Embera Village & Mono Falls Day Trip with Lunch
4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6
54 reviews

Ride a boat along the Chagres River to the Mono waterfall, visit an Emera village in the rainforest, and savor a tasty lunch on this day trip that includes hotel transfers from Panama City.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 6 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
English, Spanish
Pickup included
Pickup from your accommodation in Panama City.
Small group
Limited to 12 participants

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

5
5 out of 5 stars
J
Jennifer – United States

Guide a bit lackluster but overall tour excels. Some will say it is touristy, but I thoroughly enjoyed the visit. I think it is as authentic as such a tour can be and think the Panamanian govt is wise to try to preserve its cultural heritage. I think it is a good balance of authentic w modern accessibility. Few can go see indigenous people untouched by society, were they to exist somewhere. Here we were able to travel up river to the village in dugout boats w outboard engines. Rustic while expedient. The drivers/villagers wear their henna type tattoos and tribal wear. they can converse in English and Spanish and one can gain some understanding of how they live, school, are born, etc. I missed the hike/swim due to a previous injury and one of the villagers cut and fashioned me a sturdy walking stick, so kind! We enjoyed the music and dancing at the village. The fried fish and plantains were just amazing, the fruit was the very best of all the 5 neighboring countries we visited!

5
5 out of 5 stars
A
Andrej – Germany

Thanks for the exceptional day! It was an excellent experience with a perfect guide! and thanks for sending the pictures!

Select participants and date

Itinerary

  • Pickup location:

    Panama City

  • Jeep / SUV

    (45 minutes)

  • Chagres River

    Boat cruise (20 minutes)

  • Chagres National Park

    Swimming (40 minutes)

  • Embera-Wounaan Comarca

    Visit, Guided tour (2.5 hours)

    Extra fee

  • River boat

    (20 minutes)

  • Jeep / SUV

    (45 minutes)

  • Arrive back at:

    Panama City

Main stop

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights

  • Soak up the sights and sounds of the rainforest on a piragua boat ride
  • Take your taste buds on an adventure with at freshly-prepared Embera meal
  • Immerse yourself in local live with a visit to an authentic Embera village
  • Plunge into the cool waters of the Mono waterfall (depending on the season)
  • Have the option to purchase some traditional body painting at the Embera village

Full description

Soak up the beauty of the Chagres National Park on a boat ride and take a short hike to the Mono waterfall on this guided day trip from Panama City. Discover local culture as you visit the Embera tribe and learn about their customs, beliefs, and way of life.

Be picked up in the morning from your Panama City hotel. Sit back and relax in a comfortable, air-conditioned car while taking in the scenic drive on the way to the Chagres National Park.

Begin your boat trip on to the Embera tribe which lives in remote areas of the rainforest that can only be reached by boat. Have a member of the Embera tribe take you and your guide in a traditional boat called a "piragua."

Hop out of the boat and hike thorugh lush jungle to the Mono waterfall, where you can take a refreshing plunge (in the dry season from December through April). Hear birds and other rainforest wildlife while capturing some incredible photos.

Arrive at the Embera village where you can meet the Tusipono Embera tribe that has managed to reject the modern, technological ways of life and maintained its traditions. Be greeted by locals that can answer questions about their way of life.


See how the Embera people live, work, and play. Find out how they build their homes, cook their food, and make their crafts. Witness traditional dances and music performances.

Have the chance to see the Embera people's intricate body art. The Embera people have a long tradition of using natural pigments to create intricate designs on their skin. View some of these designs up close and learn about the significance of each one.

Have the chance to purchase a Embera design a body painting. The paint is a temporary remembrance of your visit to the Embera tribe which slowly fades away after a few days. Return to your accommodation in Panama City at the end of your tour.

Includes

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Air-conditioned transportation
  • Boat ride
  • English speaking Guide
  • Lunch (fried fish and plantains)
  • Seasonal fruits (pineapple, banana, orange, and tangerine)
  • Bottled water
  • Protected park and community fee (40 USD per adult and 30 USD per child under 10, to be paid in cash to the guide)
  • Henna tribal paintings (optional)
  • Rain ponchos (please bring your own if desired)

Not suitable for

  • People with back problems
  • People with mobility impairments

Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Swimwear
  • Change of clothes

Know before you go

  • For last minute bookings, you need to obtain a verbal confirmation from the activity provider's office to confirm your tour. If you have not received our confirmation or an itinerary from the activity provider's office team, the tour is not confirmed and it will be scheduled for the following day
  • If the water level of the river is too high or too low, this tour does not include the tour to the waterfall. In this case, the activity provider tries to substitute the waterfall with another option where guests can swim in the Gamboa River, but the activity provider reserves the right to skip this part of the tour for the safety of guests
  • The hike to the waterfall is on a jungle path that may be slippery and rocky, so it is not recommended for those with mobility issues, back problems, knee or foot injuries or any other medical concerns that would limit your hiking ability. Those who choose not to participate in the waterfall portion of the tour can wait in the boat

From $75 per person

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.6 /5
4.6 out of 5 stars

based on 54 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.3/5
  • Transportation
    4.7/5
  • Value for money
    4.2/5

Customer photos

+2
Filter
By star rating
Sort by:
5
5 out of 5 stars
J
Jennifer – United StatesJanuary 21, 2025 – Verified booking
Guide a bit lackluster but overall tour excels. Some will say it is touristy, but I thoroughly enjoyed the visit. I think it is as authentic as such a tour can be and think the Panamanian govt is wise to try to preserve its cultural heritage. I think it is a good balance of authentic w modern accessibility. Few can go see indigenous people untouched by society, were they to exist somewhere. Here we were able to travel up river to the village in dugout boats w outboard engines. Rustic while expedient. The drivers/villagers wear their henna type tattoos and tribal wear. they can converse in English and Spanish and one can gain some understanding of how they live, school, are born, etc. I missed the hike/swim due to a previous injury and one of the villagers cut and fashioned me a sturdy walking stick, so kind! We enjoyed the music and dancing at the village. The fried fish and plantains were just amazing, the fruit was the very best of all the 5 neighboring countries we visited!
5
5 out of 5 stars
A
Andrej – GermanyDecember 9, 2024 – Verified booking
Thanks for the exceptional day! It was an excellent experience with a perfect guide! and thanks for sending the pictures!
5
5 out of 5 stars
J
Jari – FinlandSeptember 26, 2024 – Verified booking
Our guide Manuel was very knowledgable and friendly. The boat ride on the Chagres River was a wonderful experience. The Embera people are very hospitable and we felt privileged to visit their beautiful community. Bia bua! ❤️

Product ID: 492441

Activity provider:
Tao Travel 365 Tours

Top destinations

Top attraction categories

Popular Attractions