Vapues Travel - Community encounters

Community encounters - Panama & Nicaragua

Vapues Travel
Aug 16, 2023
Community tourism, culture, coffee

If you're the kind of traveler who likes to really know a country, then there's no better way than to spend a little time with the local and indigenous communities who call it home.

Community tourism gives something back and creates opportunities for local people, but also offers an authentic, engaging and sometimes unpredictable experience for travelers. Delicious food, unique customs and unexpected friendships can form the kinds of memories which really stay with you far beyond your flight home.

Panama and Nicaragua are home to numerous indigenous tribes, each with their own fascinating history, as well as tiny rural villages where little has changed in generations.

At Vapues Travel, we work with a diverse group of community organisations and villages to provide unforgettable homestays and day-trips for our adventurous travelers.

Take a look at some of our favourite community experiences.

Embera Community visit

Take a day away from the city in the beautiful Chagres National Park, and meet the indigenous Embera people who have lived in this part of the world for centuries.

Congo Community immersion

Music and dance are a huge part of Portobelo's culture, and this performance gives a taste of three of the most famous traditional dances from the area.

Indigenous weaving experience

El Chile is an indigenous community that is home to Telares El Chile, a weaving workshop where local women became ambassadors for one of the most representative community traditions.

Visit coffee farmers

Coffee is one of Nicaragua's most famous exports, and during this tour you'll discover the importance of coffee for local producing communities, as well as having the chance to get involved in the process which makes Nicaraguan coffee so popular.

Casa Congo

Located on the waterfront overlooking Portobelo Bay, Casa Congo is a hub for local artists and offers a friendly and cozy base for your stay in the village. The four rooms are air-conditioned, bright, and comfortable, each with their own unique character.

Homestay

Remote community 'La Reyna' promotes rural tourism, introducing visitors to the unique culture of small-scale coffee producers.

With the valuable assistance of the Panamanian Foundation for Sustainable Tourism (APTSO) we developed a new community experience, allowing our clients to meet the isolated Naso community, the last monarchy of Mesoamerica. Have a look at this brand-new tour.