The mighty river, natural engine of Panama´s economy has diversified into a valuable tourist destination.
The majestic Río Chagres has its source in the mountains rising east of the Panamanian capital, at 1,007 meters altitude. It has played an active role in developing the country as a services platform for global trade since colonial times. Currently it is a destination for ecotourism, ethnotourism, adventure sports and camping.
It has been protected since 1984 by the Chagres National Park, which covers 320,000 acres and is located between the provinces of Panama and Colón. Its basin provides all freshwater used by the Panama Canal and the metropolitan area for human consumption, according to the National Environmental Authority and the Center for the Study of Biotic Resources of the University of Panama. In addition, its shores and islands are covered with dense rainforest that is home to 900 plants, 140 mammals, 396 bird species, 59 varieties of fish, 95 kinds of reptiles and 79 amphibian species.
History
It was discovered in 1502 by Admiral Christopher Columbus, who called it Río de los Lagartos due to the many crocodiles found there. It was also visited by Commander Diego Cueto and his helmsman, Pedro de Umbria, in 1506.
In 1527 Emperor Charles I (of Spain and V of Germany) asked Hernando de la Serna to find a way to cross the Isthmus of Panama, to communicate the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. By the end of his exploration, the Camino de Cruces was outlined. It links the City of Panama to Venta de Cruces, then, at that time, navigating the Río Chagres, which is why it was considered an interoceanic route.
In 1527 Emperor Charles I (of Spain and V of Germany) asked Hernando de la Serna to find a way to cross the Isthmus of Panama, to communicate the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. By the end of his exploration, the Camino de Cruces was outlined. It links the City of Panama to Venta de Cruces, then, at that time, navigating the Río Chagres, which is why it was considered an interoceanic route.
Hernando de la Serna founded the town of Chagres in the morthern stretch of the river where Fort San Lorenzo was built. Its remains still watch over the river mouth as they always did for the arrival of pirates.
The name Chagre was given to the province by Vasco Núñez de Balboa, after a district in Spain. Although the river was named El Río de los Lagartos, the area was referred to as the district of Chagre. Eventually, people started calling the river el Río de Chagre. This name lasted for 300 years, until somebody added the letter 's' on the end of the name, and it became "el Río Chagres", according to some Spanish historians.
José Manuel Reverte, from the National Commission of Archeology of Panama, argues in a letter that the name is taken from the chief Chagre, who dominated the region when the Spaniards arrived.
The Gatún dam, part of the construction of the Panama Canal, forms an artificial lake of the same name, in the middle course of the river since 1914 as well as Madden dam, since 1935. According to the study of the Panama Canal Authority, the future construction of a third reservoir in the confluence with the Chico River will satisfy the water needs of the Panama Canal after the third set of locks is open, and it is not ruled out.
Due to this human intervention the Chagres is the only river on the planet that pours its water into two oceans through the interoceanic waterway.
Nowadays
This river offers tourists the possibility to have a meeting with nature at its purest form, or to practice extreme sports such as rafting on its rapids.
They can also share exciting moments with several Indian communities such as the Emberá: Drua, Parará Purú, Tupisono and San Juan de Pequení, living near the banks of the river since the 1970's, when they left the Darién jungle. They have been trained to serve as guides for visitors and share their views of history and traditions.
The Emberás always welcome visitors with: dances, music, traditional foods based on river fish and fried green plantains. They offer tattoos with jagua (natural dye), their vegetable ivory nut carvings (the famous tagua nut) and precious woods.
Guides recommend bringing binoculars, camera, a cap or hat, sunscreen, light clothes (t-shirt and shorts), a light cape, insect repellent, good traction shoes, swimming suit and bath towels. Those who wish to purchase handicrafts should carry money in small denominations inside a plastic bag to prevent it from getting wet accidentally.
Guides recommend bringing binoculars, camera, a cap or hat, sunscreen, light clothes (t-shirt and shorts), a light cape, insect repellent, good traction shoes, swimming suit and bath towels. Those who wish to purchase handicrafts should carry money in small denominations inside a plastic bag to prevent it from getting wet accidentally.
Getting there
There are several ways to get to the Park: Visitors can get to the Alhajuela Lake (Madden) by the Calzada Larga road, or by the Madden road, both off the Transisthmian Highway (which links Panama City to the Caribbean city of Colón) or by the Nuevo Vigía village. From the town of Cerro Azul there is access to the park on the road that follows from the Pan American Highway (past the Tocumen International Airport) traveling 25 kilometers in half an hour).
In the Cerro Azul area, specifically at the peak of Cerro Jefe (1,007 meters) travelers can see spectacular views of the Panama Canal and, if they are lucky, will see the Atlantic and Pacific oceans at the same time on a clear day.
In the Cerro Azul area, specifically at the peak of Cerro Jefe (1,007 meters) travelers can see spectacular views of the Panama Canal and, if they are lucky, will see the Atlantic and Pacific oceans at the same time on a clear day.
