The Emberá Indigenous people are one of Panama’s most vibrant native cultures, living along the rivers of the Darién region and the Chagres rainforest. Rivers shape their daily life and transportation, and visitors arrive by traditional dugout canoe. Their cuisine features fresh river fish, plantains, rice, and tropical fruits, often cooked in banana leaves. Known for colorful clothing, jagua body art, music, and dance, the Emberá preserve traditions deeply connected to nature and their ancestors.

Lake Alajuela, also known as Lago Alajuela or formerly Madden Lake, is a large artificial reservoir in central Panama created in 1935 by the construction of Madden Dam on the Chagres River. The lake is one of the main freshwater sources supporting the Panama Canal and supplies a significant portion of drinking water for Panama City.

The Chagres River is one of the most important rivers in Panama and plays a vital role in the operation of the Panama Canal. Flowing approximately 193 kilometers (120 miles), the river originates in the mountains of central Panama and empties into the Caribbean Sea near the town of Chagres.