Regions in Brief

East of Panama City

East of Panama City, the Pan-American Highway travels toward the renowned Darién region, but not before passing the turnoff to the only road that connects the Comarca Kuna Yala and the eastern Caribbean coast with central Panama. The 37km (23-mile) road begins just past the town of El Llano, and ends at Cartí Suitupo, passing through hilly country cloaked in thick rainforest, much of it unexplored and replete with wildlife. This is one of Panama's best bird-watching spots, and sightings of monkeys are common, too. Additionally, at intervening points sweeping views provide a chance to see both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. There is no bus service along this route, and though the road is in good shape, it still requires a 4WD vehicle. The lodge below can provide transportation to the Kuna coast, where it is possible to hire a cayuco boat to go to one of the islands in the Comarca.