Perfect Paradise, San Blas Panama

they are a part of the Comarca Kuna Yala along the Caribbean coast of Panama.

San Blas, Panama

Total Islands : 378

Major Islands : 49

Language : Kuna and Spanish

Capitol : El Povenir
Currency : US Dollar
Country : Panama

The San Blas Region consists of 378 islands inhabited by the indigenous group named Kuna,

Ever wonder where that computer background with the perfect little island sitting in a sea of clear perfect blue water comes from, well look no further, San Blas quite possibly the most beautiful tropical islands on earth. Now I started in Panama City in the grungy Casco Viejo area. I stayed in a hostel by the name of “ Hospedaje Casco Viejo”. A man named Rafa (who appears to be the man who knows everything about Panama), helped me out by getting me a lift in a 4x4 to the coast near Carti. This cost a whopping 28 dollars one way, Including the boat from the coast to an island called Naranjo Chico. When you arrive at the shoreline there is no stores let alone buildings, expect to wait a hour or so for the boat. When the boat lands you soon realize you’ve just arrived in paradise. The island is surrounded by white sand beaches and some of the clearest blue waters I have ever seen. On the north side of the island there is a small Kuna village inhabited with what looked to be about fifteen families. I spent my first day lounging, snorkelling, crushing my opponents in beach volleyball, and of course sipping some sweet rum…. Ahh what a life this was. Now this island is owned by several men who all claim to be the only owners of this island, needless to say they all own a different hostel all with the same prices similar accommodation and food. The Accommodation is simple, a thatch bamboo hut with a beautiful view but crap mattress. There is a shared bathroom and shower…. But if your used to luxury this is not your place. This place is great for people of any age as long as you want that “camping” feel. Now to get to the best part, the food!!. The food consisted of whatever the owner buys off the morning fishing boat, usually lobster, crab, Barracuda, probably the best all inclusive for a whole 25 dollars per night.

The next day I woke up feeling I need to explore outside Gilligan’s island, Me and seven other travellers all pitched in and rented a boat for the day. Each of us paid three dollars and were whisked of to several deserted islands with some of the most beautiful snorkelling I have seen. Next we landed on Dog Island. Dog island is an interesting stop it had a classic sunken ship which can be snorkelled, and the island has some neat little shops selling Molas ( the main gift of the kuna, it’s a colourful cloth mural) and many sea shell jewellery. Again any picture you take at any angle will only need be signed in order to frame and sell. The evening mostly was swaying in a hammock and pretending I would never leave this place.

The following day I paid a boat driver one dollar to take me to the most populated island, its name is Rio Sidra. Rio Sidra is a tiny extremely congested island, it makes you miss paradise because one thing is certain, this is not paradise. Rio Sidra is still a very interesting shop, its heart and sole is still deeply knit in Kuna culture and there is much shopping and interesting people to see here.

I spent the next few days Exploring the hundreds of small deserted islands, I discovered this is one of the few places on earth where you can hire a boatman to drop you off on a perfect little island and leave you for the day, great idea for someone trying to impress that girl. Another note is scuba diving is illegal here making snorkelling perfect. Now here is the cheapest way to get home. After five days I was Panama city bound, I awoke very early in the morning to hitch hike on the morning petrol boat to Carti. From there the driver felt pitty for me and drove me to the near shore line. Now the shore line is intimidating, its just a dirt road and dense jungle, but if you wait the 4x4 will come and hell take you for 25 dollars. Yes its not saving much money but its fun.

San Blas is perfect for everyone, whether your here to party, explore or here just to enjoy paradise San Blas has it all.

Big thanks to Raffa and Hospedaje Casco Viejo and all those strange Swedish, English, French, Spanish and Americans who made this place so awesome.