Darién is the most eastern province in Panama, bordering with Guna Yala to the North, Colombia to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the south and the province of Panamá to the west. Although the Spanish conquest of the Isthmus began in this region in the early 1500’s, the rough terrain and remoteness from the capital has kept it largely unaltered and wild.

 With a vast rainforest referred to as the Darién Gap that disconnects the Pan-American Highway, the province is home to one of the world’s richest and protected biomasses, Darién National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within its territory are communities of indigenous, clinging to their ancestral traditions such as the Guna, the Emberá, and the Wounnan. These peoples also share territory with Afro-colonial descendants and other groups from other parts of the Isthmus, each culture adding their own spice to the colors and sounds of the Darién.

Darién, a last frontier with a wilderness rich in biodiversity and culture is definitely a part of Panama to explore for those with a desire to adventure off the beaten path.