It was created in 1980, and was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981. Majestic mountain ranges cover this area, the most important being the Serranía de Darién in the north, the Pirre and Setule in the center and the Sapo and Jurado ranges to the south. The maximum altitude is 1,875 meters. The sources of long and large navigable rivers, the most important in the country, are found here, such as Tuira the largest river in the country, Chucunaque the longest river in the country, Balsas, Jaqué and Sambú.

This park, the largest in Central America, is the most important natural reserve in Panama, and the second most biologically rich region, after the Amazon. It contains diverse ecosystems, ranging from beaches and mangroves to the rainforest. The park has vast tropical rain forests.