Cuna Yala

Ok, been hanging out in Panama for the past week, went to KUNA YALA province, which is about a 3 hour drive each way from the city of Panama, a mountainous drive to the coast. Same route the mule packs carried gold from Peru across the isthmus to the Atlantic coast town of NOMBRE DE DIOS. Took a boat to the SAN BLAS ISLANDS, hung out there all day, scored some lobster and CENTOLLO crabs, from the locals, very cheap stuff, excellent to cook up when I got back. Sun was scorching hot, but kept on my tshirt and rubbed plenty of protectant lotion, so didn´t get burned. Their main island of the Cuna´s, we stopped over to drop someone off, full of thatched roofs and grass huts. Looked like a huge thriving community there. Also saw a group of Cunas swimming from one island to the other , around some 10-15 Cunas, kind of strange to watch them from the boat in the middle of the water there swimming like nothing, laughing smoking and joking. Guess they don´t fear sharks eh.
The main island we hung out at was ISLA AGUJA. Or NEEDLE ISLAND. Not much there but there is camping, a restaurant, very rustic, and rustic toilet facility. Lots of beach and plenty of sun and swimming. Don´t know when I get back, but nonetheless, the 29Palms kikin back in PTY downing BALBOA beer.

Sounds awesome!

I left out alot about the trip. The drive to San Blas is relatively a new concept because the roads just got constructed not too long ago. It is mountainous. Up and down up and down, farm land, cow grazing, horses, really neat huts and houses on the hills, covered with lots of vegetation, tropical rainforest stuff. Name of the mountains are called the SAN BLAS MOUNTAIN range. In the comarca de Kuna Yala. This is getting away from it all. Like missionary, red cross medical staff kind of place. But these Kuna´s are not dumb. They control their own destiny, they own their own islands, and they control the commerce and tourism there. They are fun likable people. The kids act like grown men. I think they skip childhood years. They work on the boats, and other services. No place for luxury, no fancy facilities, you have to rough it there. Place that if you freak because of lack of luxuries, they will laugh you out of San Blas and out of Kuna Yala province. You´re talking people that don´t need suntan lotion, nor sun protectant, nor anything but a little bit of your money. Youré talking about people that dive for lobster and crabs without scuba, or snorkel gear. Youre talking about people that swim from some island to the next if close enough. You´re talking about people that will fight for their survival and existence through whatever means it takes, even getting educated and learning the ropes. They are, the most interesting little men in the world. Tough littlebastads! Marines would be very impressed by them. I was.

Hey 29Palms,

It seems like you have mentioned going to Panama several times in the past. Kuna Yala sounds awesome, my kind of trip. However, my wife is a city gal and needs basic amenities. We also have 4 children ages ranging from 3-12. If we were to go to Panama City for 4 or 5 days, where would we stay, how we get around, and what should we see? I should also mention that we are budget travelers and neither of us drink.

I don´t know how much your budget is for hotels, but I have a room for around 80 bucks per night at the Wyndham, obarrio section, but they got them for less than that around the city. Check them out on orbitz. Don´t know how good they are. You can find hotels here for around 40-50 bucks if you look. If you like luxury, its all here, but there are rustic places too. Kuna Yala is definately, not for the luxury types, nor is San Blas islands. But if Tommy like the beach, that´s a good place. It all depends on what you wish to do. If you want to check out the Panama Canal, stuff like that, you will have to set up with a cabbie, or a driver, and willing to part with some bucks. My suggestion is to hook up with an honest driver. Again, it all depends on what you want to do. Consider Costa Rica too. Much different than PTY. Less congested, more like you would think of Central America, better climate. Panama is pretty hot and congested, but its got some great things here too. It all depends on what you look for. Cabs are pretty cheap, but there are a few that try to rip you off as usual, especially when coming out of a shopping center, or mall. Just walk out of the area and flag down a cab. Make a deal before you go somewhere.