Río Sábalo Travel Guide

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If you've come this far in the Darien you are at the threshold of the Embera Wounaan Comarca, area 2, in the southern part of the province. By crossing a footbridge over the river you enter the town of Puerto Indio, an Embera village within the comarca. Comarcas are semi-autonomous regions governed by the indiginous Embera. There are one or two Wounaan also.

The Sabalo and the Sambu rivers cross here with the Sambu being the larger. It's like the difference between an interstate highway and a frontage road. The Sabalo is a frontage road, but well used or utilized.

The locals use this river for swimming, drinking, bathing, washing and as a conduit to reach the Sambu and points beyond. It's a lazy river and movement is almost indetectable.

Two communities operate on both sides and inbetween this river: Sambu and Puerto Indio.