A stone’s throw from the road and a 40-minute walk from El Porvenir is Totaizal. This friendly and well-organized village of 140 people lies hidden in the forest of the Chimane reserve. People living in the settlement of Cero Ocho , a four-hour walk from Totaizal, trudge into the village to sell bananas, while others provide guiding services for visitors. You can visit the village of Totaizal, but you’ll have to make prior arrangements through El Porvenir.
The Chimane, traditionally a nomadic forest tribe, have in recent times faced expulsion from their ancestral lands by lumber companies and highland settlers. Skilled hunters, the Chimane people have a fascinating way of fishing, using natural poisons to kill their prey. They are also highly adept at collecting wild honey and avoiding ballistic bees.
