The
islands of the San Blas Archipelago
are strung out along the Caribbean coast
of Panama from the Golfo de San Blas nearly
all the way to the Colombian border. San
Blas is a series of 378 islands of which
only 49 are inhabited by the fiercely independent
Kuna Indians. Although only a 20-minute
plane ride away from Panama City, a trip
to the San Blas islands will transport you
20 centuries into the past.
The
Kuna Indians, who run all the islands as an
autonomous province, with minimal
interference from the national government
have maintained their own economic system,
language, customs and culture, with distinctive
dress, legends, music and dance and thus have
avoided traditional tourism development.
The
area is surrounded by reefs, some of the oldest
in the world, and offer wonderful diving and
snorkeling opportunities, the best of which
are between the months of April and June.
The
most interesting islands are Achutupu, Kagantupu
and Coco Blanco. There are flights to several
of the islands from Panama City or you can
catch a ride with Kuna merchant ships from
Colón, who will find the perfect island
for your sunbathing and snorkeling pleasure.
San
Blas is famous for one of its arts and crafts,
the mola. Kuna women make rainbow colored fabrics,
emblazoned with fish, birds, jungle animals
and geometric designs that would impress Picasso
himself. The men still fish from canoes as they
did before Columbus came. They still run up
to the corner coconut palm trees for something
fresh and cool to drink each morning, just as
they have for untold centuries.
LODGING
El
Porvenir
El Porvenir Hotel: 13 rooms. Tel: 221-1397
Nalunega
Island
Hotel San Blas: 31 rooms, kuna style, 3 daily
meals, tours around inhabited and uninhabited
islands. radio communication. Tel: 655-25757
Wichub-Wala
Island
Hotel Anai 20 rooms, Wooden floor and cane
walls.Tel:239-3025.
Kuna Kishua Hotel. Five basic rooms. Tel:227-5308
Sugtupu With cabin like aspect, wooden floor
and cone walls.
Ailigandi
Island
La Palmera One story concrete building, With
restaurant and bar. It belongs to the Town
Cooperative Society.
Hotel Nargana 10 rooms; communication by radio.
Hotel construction Kuno style.
Achutupo
Island
Hotel Uaguitupo Cabins, restaurant, Bar.
Kuanidup
Cabins, restaurant, bar.(Sidra River).
Iskardup
Cabins, restaurant, bar.
Kwadule
Eco-resort. 6 stand-alone cabinas and large
restaurant. Tel: 269-6313
Special
Events
February
PLAYON
CHICO, TUPILE, AILIGANDI AND USTUPU Tule Revolution
Anniversary. They present a dramatic feather
of post battles, typical dances and drink fermented
beverages.
March
19
NARGANA
Patronal festivities in which western style
dances are performed, there are regional and
national dishes, there are also basketball competitions.
July
8
MULATUPO Inokina Anniversary. Typical dances
and dishes, games and speeches.
July
29-31
FULIPE Patronal festivities, western style dances
as well as typical dances, regional dishes.
August
20
NARGANA Charles Robinson Anniversary. Western
style dances as well as typical dances, regional
dishes.
September
3
USTUP0 Nele-Kantule, Dances, dishes, speeches,
deceased eulogy.
September 1 TUWALA Yabilikiña Anniversary,
dishes, typical dances, sport games and speeches.
