After digging its way for 12580 km straight from Alaska, the end of the Interamericana highway rests at the colorful town of Yaviza. Yaviza allows you to explore the indigenous communities perched in the town as well as the lush rainforest. It not only marks the end of the prominent highway, but also offers facilities and incredible sights.
Yaviza is the last town before the famous Darien Gap. The best places to stay in this town include:
Hospedejo Sobia Kiru
Imagine relaxing in a two-story turquoise house. With the perfect location on the side street across from the port, this place guarantees comfort and tranquility. The rooms are tidy and equipped with air conditioning.
Ya Darien
The best way to beat the heat and relax is a cold-water shower in your comfortable room. Rejuvenate yourself here in Ya Darien.
Along with stays, Yaviza also offers stores where you can stock up on food and supplies.
Darien Gap
Darien Gap is between Panama and Colombia and it separates North America and South America. It is one of the treasures not just of Panama, but of Central America itself. The park is massive and seemingly endless; it is the largest protected area in Panama. The park is nestled between the Serrania del Darien, a mountain range that parallels the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other. The park is located in such a way that it serves as a natural bridge between the two continents, North and South America, and the park extends all the way to the Amazon. It is a must-visit for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
The park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 after it underwent deforestation and timber extraction. Due to the numerous species of flora and fauna that thrive in abundance, it was declared a biosphere reserve in 1983. Here you can find a microcosm of nature with its endless rainforests, mangroves, wetlands, rocky beaches, rivers, waterfalls, and mountainous regions. It provides shelter to the rarest of species. Not only is it home to legions of animal species, a few indigenous communities, including that of the Cuna and the Wounaan, still thrive there today.
One amazing aspect of this park is that it is still wild, raw, and artificially unchanged by humans. Wilderness still continues to thrive just like it has for thousands of years. This virgin beauty of the place is extremely rare and precious to not just Panama, but to the planet itself. This has made the park a Disneyland for botanists, zoologists, biologists, and archaeologists as well.
Along with witnessing the rare sights of the amazing animal and bird species, you can explore the rich culture running through the veins of the indigenous communities. Darien Gap offers you a whole package of thrilling adventures.
Fuerte de San Geronimo de Yaviza
If you are interested in either architecture or history, then this is your destination. This Spanish fort was built in the eighteenth century as against pirates. Perched at the confluence of the Rio Chico and Chucunaque, it was the guard of the gold mines of Cana.
Conclusion
Though Yaviza is a small town, it provides you comfortable staying options as well as facilities to buy supplies for your trip. At the same time, the town offers two famous attractions: the Darien Gap and the Fuerte San Geronimo. Both sites sum up the inspiring adventures of Yaviza.
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