Community Foundation
Our community was founded in 1966 by three families:
made up of Mr. Egidio Puchicama, Lauriano Cabezón and Julio Puchicama.
We are a Wounaan community in a collective land reserve of the Republic of Panama, Chimán District, Pásiga District.
Our territorial extension covers 9,314.7 hectares and to date it has a population of 127 inhabitants and we all belong to the same Wounaan ethnic group.
History Town
Our community of Río Hondo is a Wounaan town located in the collective land of Panamá Este, district of Chimán Corregimiento de Unión Santeña.
It was founded in 1945 by Mr. Jimenio Cabezón together with his wife Orilia Membache, and Mr. Delermito Mepaquito and his wife Quiseldina Cabezón and 9 other families.
Our territorial extension covers 9,314.7 hectares and has a population of 400 inhabitants, both children, young people and older adults.
The community is bordered to the north by Embera Drua and the Maje Cordillera hydroelectric reserve, to the South by Río Hato and the Panama Bay wetland, to the East by Unión Santeña and to the West by the Río La Maestro.
Our mother tongue is Woun Meu.
Among the main activities we carry out are fishing, crafts and agriculture.
Get to know us!
WHAT
Book your stay with us!
Birdwatching
Trail
Fishing
Waterfalls
WOUNAAN ACTIVITIES AND CULTURE
The Wounaan community offers visitors different ecotourism activities that intertwine the natural with the cultural:
- During your visit you will enjoy and dance with us to the sound of our music, learn about tagua carving and cocobolo wood.
- Make your baskets, and masks with the artisan women alluding to the biodiversity of the community.
- Make beautiful beads with your own hands as accessories for your hands and neck.
- Share a day of fishing with the artisanal fishermen, where you can learn about the fishing gear used by the Wounaan and, if you are lucky, get your own fish for your dinner.
- Walk the “Crested Eagle” Nature Trail with the experience of local guides, who will help you identify more than 70 species of birds.
- Take a water tour on the “Martin Pescador” route through beautiful mangroves, flora and bird watching.
- At the end of the tour you will be able to see panoramic views of the community and the forests and grasslands that surround them.
- You can enjoy our wounaan gastronomy.
- We offer traditional lodging: Each room is equipped with a bed, mosquito net, dining area, bathrooms, and beautiful views of the community.
We are waiting for you so you can enjoy all these and other activities.
Photographs by: Scott Hecker, Cullen Heater and Chenier Carpio.