Área Silvestre de Narganá

Comarca de Guna Yala


With excellent birdwatching and good rainforest trails, the 994-sq-km Área Silvestre de Narganá is a wildlife reserve of species-rich primary forest ideally explored with a naturalist guide. It was created by the Guna indigenous community in 1987 primarily to try to keep away squatters. Access the reserve via the Interamericana, going via Chepo, and turning onto the road to Gardi (Cartí) at the El Llano turnoff. Go by sturdy 4WD with plenty of clearance.

This is the best place in Panama to spot the speckled antshrike, the black-headed ant thrush and the black-crowned antpitta.

Guided tours of the reserve are available through Panama City tour agencies, and Guna guide Igua Jiménez' Igua's Tours.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Comarca de Guna Yala attractions

1. Museo de la Cultura Guna

4.71 MILES

Stuffed with objects from everyday life as well as molas and religious artefacts, this small museum provides a good cultural and historical understanding…

2. Ikodub (Isla Aguja)

5.36 MILES

Escape from Gardi Sugdub (Cartí Suitupo) to picture-perfect 'Needle Island,' with its lazy palms, golden sands and gentle surf. Excursions cost from US$35.

3. Congreso General Guna

10.02 MILES

This is the headquarters of the supreme governmental body of the Comarca de Guna Yala.

4. Museo de la Nación Guna

10.05 MILES

This badly maintained, privately owned collection of Guna artefacts over two floors includes the usual baskets, molas and gammu burwi (bamboo flutes),…

5. La Piscina

11.56 MILES

This fabulous sandbar is a popular swimming spot for day-trippers staying on any of the Cayos Limones.

6. Diadup (Isla Coco Bandera)

21.82 MILES

A massive shipwreck at the spot known as Wreck Reef is clearly visible at low tide from deserted and idyllic Diadup (Isla Coco Bandera).

8. Bayano Caves

25.68 MILES

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…