Gypset Travel ~ Panama’s San Blas Islands

Now that the temperature is dropping and we are officially in the holiday season, it’s time to consider where you are going to spend your holiday vacation. In my opinion, the San Blas Islands on Panama’s Caribbean coast are the perfect Gypset travel getaway. There are 348 islands in total, 329 of which are uninhabited. Though the inevitable tourism infrastructure is slowly growing, the San Blas Islands remain largely untouched by tourists, since they aren’t easy to reach. The result– the perfect winter escape!

The San Blas islands are home to the Kuna Indians, a unique indigenous tribe. The Kuna Indians are one of the few native groups in the world that have held onto their ancient ways, despite the pressures of modernity. Every morning the Kuna women travel up to the hilltop graveyard to keep their deceased relatives company and to help their spirits get ascend to heaven. The tribe also shuns electricity and lives entirely off the land. Their self-sustaining traditions have allowed them to function independently, unlike other indigenous tribes.

Some of the San Blas islands, however, remain dependent on tourism. At El Porvenir, the capital of the Kuna Yala, you can expect to be asked for a dollar if you choose to take a photo or have a conversation with a Kuna. To access the few hotels on the islands, you must travel  via boat, and it is unlikely that you will encounter any other tourists during your stay.

Spend your days leisurely on any of the many islands, where you can snorkel, sun bathe, or learn about the islands’ rich cultural history. “They are one of the few vacation spots that an anthropologist and a beach bum can agree on,” observed Gypsetter  Ethan Todras-Whitehill.

The food is local and fresh. During your stay you can expect fruit, eggs, and fish all harvested from the islands. Places to stay include La Estancia, Manolo Caracol, and the Kuna Lodge. You can also opt to stay in Chichime in a tent. Wherever you choose to rest your head, be sure to do it soon, before the word gets out about this relatively untouched part of the world!