San Blas Islands — Local services in Guna Yala

THE SAN BLAS ISLANDS

The San Blas Islands are an archipelago off the northeastern coast of Panama, located in the Caribbean Sea. They are known for their pristine beauty, crystal-clear waters, and unspoiled beaches, making them a popular destination for travelers seeking a more remote and authentic experience. The islands are part of the Guna Yala comarca (an indigenous territory), and they are home to the Guna (also known as Kuna) people, an indigenous group with a rich culture and history.

Key Features of the San Blas Islands:

Scenic Beauty: The islands are characterized by white-sand beaches, coral reefs, and turquoise waters, perfect for snorkeling, diving, and swimming.

Cultural Experience: The Guna people live on many of the islands and maintain traditional customs, including their distinctive dress, colorful molas (hand-sewn textiles), and governance system. Isolation: Most of the islands are relatively undeveloped and have minimal tourist infrastructure, which adds to the sense of seclusion and natural beauty.

Accessibility:

The islands are typically accessed by boat from the coastal city of Cartí or Panama City, which is about a 1-hour flight away. The most popular way to visit is on organized tours, but there are also opportunities for overnight stays in eco-lodges or homestays with local Guna families.

Activities: Snorkeling and Diving: The reefs around the San Blas Islands are teeming with marine life, including vibrant corals, tropical fish, and even occasional sea turtles. Island Hopping: There are more than 300 islands, though only a handful are inhabited. Visitors often hop between islands to explore different beaches and landscapes.

Cultural Tours: Visitors can learn about the Guna people's traditions, including their famous molas, which are intricate, hand-sewn textile artworks.

Travel Tips: Cash: The Guna people typically use the Balboa or US Dollar, so it's important to carry cash for small purchases. Weather: The islands enjoy a tropical climate, with the rainy season lasting from May to November. The dry season (December to April) is ideal for

visiting.

Eco-Friendly: Tourism in San Blas is intentionally kept low-impact, so it’s important to be respectful of the environment and...

You’ve seen the pics of the remote islands where there are palms trees and little else. The images alone make your heart rate slow. Imagine being there. That is what you will find in San Blas. Don’t go thinking luxury accommodations like the Four Seasons. The closest you will get to luxury, or AC, is on a catamaran if you choose to go that route for a place to stay. This is the home of Gunas, indigenous people of Panama. You will find simple huts and bungalows. Flying into Panama City is an easy 2,5 hour flight from Miami, then a 2.5 hour drive to the San Blas. It would be best to book with tour group because the Gunas closely control access to their land and islands. We arrived via sailboat with a friend. We weren’t expecting to be there, but lightning changed the Captain’s route. We needed to get back to Panama City. A round trip tour is easy, but getting back one way wasn’t. Lam Tour was amazing! Many thanks. Very easy. Very helpful and not expensive. They arranged the water taxi pick up at the boat and the driver to take us back to our hotel in PCY. Judy was wonderful to work with. Raul, our driver was delightful. Speaks excellent English and very informative. Manage your expectations when you go. Think simple and authentic. Imagine a rustic canoe coming up with fresh lobster. Get some Mola, the artwork of the Gunas, or bowls made from coconut shells and beautifully painted. May through early fall you will sweat…a lot. But it’s...

I was really excited about this experience and this is why I did not give it a 5 star. We chose the island hoping option from our agency, the first island was Aroma. A small island, with no options to purchase any extra food. But, very peaceful and relaxing environment. They feed you breakfast at 7 am, lunch at 12 and dinner at 7. With so much time in the water, we were extremely hungry and you could only buy chips, NO FRUIT, MILK, YOGURT, CHEESE , BREAD, etc. I was surprised by this. Next Island, things were different Isla Cangrejos. This one was bigger, much louder and very dirty, Rouches every where. Very limited food option, lunch and dinner is always similar, chicken or fish and is served with rice or potatoes. Last island, El Diablo- did not enjoy this one, more locals live here and work here and its very loud, dirty, ants, and bugs over the beds, no air, no fans. They had the generators in the middle of the island, so you could not even hear the water at night. Almost no place to sit and enjoy the view.

I would say, I would come back to Aroma Island, its small but so much peace and the guys that were there were so nice. Next time, I would bring a cooler with food and snacks and drinks ( a water bottle was 2$, a normal wine...