Located roughly between La Palma and Punta Patino on the banks of the Rio Mogue, Mogue is one of the purely traditional Embera villages of Panama. Embera or Choco Embera are the local tribes of the village. Talking a bit about the history and background of this place, Mogue developed as an establishment by the Embera people in the 1960s. The Embera tribe is always keen to display their age-old traditions and culture, which is found in abundance at Mogue. Tourists are left enthralled by all the displays by the local residents.
How To Get There?
Tourists can take a 30-minutes boat ride from either La Palma or Punta Patino through the ocean, followed by another 30-minute boat ride through the Rio Mogue. The boat ride is enjoyed equally by tourists of all ages due to the flora and fauna seen all around. Birds like willets, whimbrels and laughing falcons can be seen here. On reaching the shores of the river, another walk of 15 minutes takes you right to the village. For adventure enthusiasts, guides here also offer midnight excursions.
Hikes and Adventures
One of the major attractions of this quiet place is the long climbs that it offers. Various hiking trails take tourists through primary forests all around the town. On these hikes as well, the wildlife of Mogue is visible in plenty. One can also spot birds like the Harpy Eagle and the Crested Eagle. In addition to birds, snakes, insects, and amphibians are also seen in plenty here. It is the go-to destination for adventure enthusiasts.
Accommodation
Another part of the thrill is the accommodation facilities at Mogue. Tourists who wish to spend an overnight trip here can sleep in a traditional, open-air, thatched-roof hut. The height of this hut is 15 feet from the ground and offers spectacular views of the entire village. Tourists are also advised to carry their own tents and hammocks if required. In the case of big groups, private outhouses and cold showers are also provided. Sounds from the forest and village can be heard throughout the night; light sleepers are advised to carry earplugs. In a nutshell, the village offers the enchanting experience of staying in the embrace of nature.
Traditions
Since the village is inhabited by the Embera locals, culture and traditions are found in abundance. The locals of Mogue are ever-so-eager to display their rich culture to all tourists who visit the place. Although it is located away from the hustle-bustle of the city, Mogue does an excellent job of entertaining its tourists in all ways possible.
For the shopaholic lot, the villagers sell their local handicrafts. For the cultural lot, they display their traditional dances and performances. For the hipsters, who would like to have some form of souvenir, there are also tattoo shops here, where you can get inked for a temporary period of two weeks. The differentiating factor of this tattoo (known as ‘jagua-juice’) is that its ink is made from the extract of local fruit so it is completely natural and safe for use.
Lifestyle
The drums of the Choco Embera can be heard throughout the village. The local language here is Spanish. However, the people here are so warm and welcoming, that language does not ever feel like a barrier. The temperature ranges from 21 degrees to 32 degrees. The Embera community in Mogue also promotes an ecologically sustainable lifestyle. The main objective of this is to integrate Darien’s indigenous communities with contemporary lifestyle. Another major objective is to preserve their local traditions.
Nearby Places To Visit
Punta Patino
Located on the southern shore of the Golfo de San Miguel, 25 km from La Palma, is one of the few natural reserves in Panama. It is the largest private reserve in the city. The main attraction of this place is its rich biodiversity, especially the fauna of the area. Various species of animals and birds like harpy eagles, three-toed sloths, capybaras, bottlenose dolphins, crocodiles, jaguars, and humpback whales can be found here. Another unique experience of this place is how to get here. Since only planes and boats are accessible here, one has to land on the tiny strip of ocean-side grass. Wooden cabins are also provided to tourists for a stay in the natural reserve, complete with all the comforts like air conditioning, mattresses, and private cold showers.
The Forestal Canglon Reserve is a protected area in the Darien province of Panama. It can be accessed by the Yaviza highway and is located between the Canglon and Tuira rivers. The main attraction here is a lowland tropical forest. The primary objective of the natives of this area is to preserve the biodiversity within the reserve. A separate governing body looks after this task; as such, the reserve is plush with all its natural richness of plants, herbs, shrubs, animals, and birds. Additionally, mangroves are found in the Matusaragati area.
In addition to Mogue, there are some scenic places around it that are also worth a visit:
La Palma
The provincial capital of the Darien province is a one-street town in the district of Chepigana, set at the conflux of the Tuira and the Golfo de San Miguel. Despite having a population of less than 5000, this town has all the necessary services like shops, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, banks and the like. The town is littered with pretty pastel stilt houses. The ruins of the seventeenth-century Spanish forts can be seen here. La Palma caters to all kinds of tourists, from the party lovers to history enthusiasts.
Conclusion
The location of the place, coupled with its inhabitants, the rich flora and fauna and the well-preserved age-old traditions is what separates Mogue from the rest of the world. A quiet, peaceful vacation, just with your loved ones is what you will get here. All in all, if you want to take a quiet vacation away from the chaos, and just soak in the richness of nature, while enjoying heart-warming natives, then Mogue should be your next travel destination!