Adventure travel surfing in San Blas and 2021 offers! The Guna Yala (also known as Kuna Indians) are the indigenous people of the San Blas Islands. Originally occupying the border of Panama and Colombia, (when Panama was part of Colombia), the Kuna Indians began settling in the San Blas Archipelago around 1800. No tourists were allowed to the region until the 1940s, as the Kuna Indians operated an autonomous state separate from Panama. The Kuna have kept many of their cultural traditions intact, which are still thriving today. They originally wore few clothes and decorated their bodies with bright, colorful designs, but after Europeans arrived, the Kuna began making and wearing intricately woven molas, which are still present today. Travelers are now allowed to visit, and each island family works with local operators and each other to ensure guests have the best experience on a visit to the islands.
There are three types of island lodging: stay in an authentic Guna island lodge over the sea or with sea views, on a yacht or at the nearby, upscale Lodge. To get the experience the close to nature and and truly away from all things modern, we recommend a stay at a Guna Island lodge. We recommend Yandup Lodge and Coral Lodge, three excellent all-inclusive San Blas destinations. Yandup Island Lodge is a private island rated by Travel and Leisure magazine as one of the 50 best romantic getaways. If you want all the creature comforts and yet also be close to nature stay at the romantic getaway then check out Coral Lodge, on the coast near San Blas.
Our last stop, an island famous among sailors who know the best kept secrets in San Blas, gives you more time to swim in the beautiful calm waters. With two islands right next to each other and home to a big shipwreck, stranded on its outer reef, you can enjoy the pristine beaches and beautiful scenery. Between 3-4pm we will leave this island paradise and head back to the Port of Carti. Your driver will be waiting for you and safely drive you back to Panama City, dropping you off at your lodging by 7pm. San Blas is one of the last unspoiled and undeveloped places in the world and we hope you will get to experience the beauty of the islands and the innocence of the unique Kuna culture. For our guests who only have one day to travel to the “Guna Yala” nation, the San Blas Day tour is the best option and will surely make you want to come back again. Find more info on https://www.taotravel365.com/darien-jungle-expedition.
The mountain town of Boquete has a wonderful climate, where you can escape the sometimes oppressive heat of the coast and lower areas. The town is relaxed and safe, catering to expats and people escaping the winters in northern climates, and local Panamanians looking for a weekend getaway. Some of the appeal here is the variety of good restaurants, as well as a mix of quality hotels and luxury inns. It’s also one of Panama’s most important coffee-growing areas, and known as a hot spot for nature and wildlife, particularly hiking and birdwatching. Having a vehicle here is quite handy for touring the surrounding mountains and reaching trailheads and nearby sites, but you can also arrange tours with transportation to the coffee plantations. One of the best short drives in Panama leaves from the outskirts of Boquete. This scenic loop of about 15 miles passes the main hiking trails, a beautiful river, an abandoned castle, and waterfalls. The road also provides amazing views down the valley and up the slopes of Volcan Baru.
Few attractions include Mexcaltitan Island ,Singular island with just 5 streets that form a radial structure. The experience of crossing them is unique, since they are completely pedestrian, made at a different scale, which gives a totally different feeling. In the first picture of the town you will find its main tourist attractions, the park, the church and a museum. If you get hungry, there are three restaurants that offer seafood.
San Blas adventure travel tours are a hot thing to do in 2019. When I was researching about the San Blas Islands in Panama before this trip, I was so disappointed with the information I found – and after going, I can honestly say it’s so outdated or written by people who did a day trip and stayed for a couple of hours. It seemed like this very difficult place to get to and that taking a day trip to San Blas Islands (on a tour) was the only option. This is not the case and I want to share some more recent San Blas Island travel tips so you can be much more prepared than I was. Before the trip, Silvia and I were messaging each other questions and both were unable to find answers online – it made me nervous about booking to stay there since it seemed everyone just went for the day and left but I’m so glad we gave it a go anyway!
The 360 or so tropical islands off Panama’s northern coast are home to the Kuna people, who since a revolution against the Panamanian government in 1925 have maintained political autonomy from the mainland. As such, they control tourism on their own terms – a very rare thing for an indigenous group. They know how many visitors are coming to their islands on a given day, where they will be staying, and they benefit directly from most of the tourist dollars spent. Aside from fuel for their motorboats, much of it goes on education, health or permaculture. See extra info on taotravel365.com.