Paris, France 
Grants Pass, OregonKuna Yala (San Blas Islands)
Kuna Yala (San Blas Islands)
A cultural experience in paradise! The tour starts with an early drive from Panama City going over the mountains and the Continental Divide until arriving at the Caribbean coast and the Kuna Yala territory.
Once in Kuna Yala you will have the opportunity to see how the Kunas live and visit beautiful tropical islands full of palm trees, white sand, and crystal clear waters, where you can relax, swim, and go snorkeling.
IMPORTANT: For this tour you must bring your passport, there is a police check point that will not let you go through if you don't have it with you.
Includes
Pick-up/drop-off from any hotel in Panama City, boat transfers, visit to beautiful islands, lunch, local biologist guide fluent in English and Spanish.
NOTE: The overnight options also include lodging, all meals, and visit to native communities.
What to Wear
- Shirts, shorts, swimsuit, and sandals
- In order to respect Kuna customs, women are advised to wear a sarong over their bathing suits when not at the beach
- Do not forget sun protection lotion and if you happen to have one, a hat or baseball cap
- If you have your own snorkeling gear you can bring it with you, if not, it can be rented
Skill Level: Moderate
Visiting Kuna Yala is like traveling back in time... way back! You are not going to find restaurants, bars, or even bathrooms on the remote islands that we visit for swimming and snorkeling. It's just nature all around. Actually, this is what makes Kuna Yala so attractive to many adventure travelers. But yes, it is not for everyone.
The boat transfers alone are enough to scare a few non-adventurers away, as you have to seat over wood boards with no cushion, and you can get completely wet from the splashing waves.
And if you choose to stay overnight, please don't expect a TV or A/C in your room. The bathrooms will be shared and outside the rooms, and to take a shower you have to pour water on yourself using the bucket and barrel system... Kuna style.
If you value the uniqueness of such a place, and if you can handle a "camping-like" experience, good for you, you are in for a treat. If on the other hand you need comfort, this is not the tour for you.
Accommodations
For the overnight options of this tour we use Cabañas Ukuptupu, a simple family-run hotel with a very interesting location, set on a small private island with ocean views all around, and surrounded by two Kuna communities accessible by a short boat ride. For meals they serve seafood as fresh as it gets.
