San Blas Island Activities
Posted by Travel Editor
What to do on your San Blas Island Vacation
The range of activities you can find in San Blas Islands are a plenty on these beautiful islands. From experiencing the culture of the local Kuna Indians to boating around the islands where you can marvel at the beauty of this tropical paradise, there will be never a dull moment for you or your family during your vacation here. The San Blas islands are also an ideal romantic getaway or a honeymoon destination. Some of the hotels have their own restaurants and bars and their hotels consist of lovely cabanas built on stilts over the water with balconies and a hammock, where you can lay back and watch the sea and some gorgeous, memorable sunsets. The photo opportunities are endless. Just working on your tan and swimming could be one of your favorite activities on your San Blas Islands Panama vacation.
From relaxing in a hammock on a lazy hot day, strolling on the beach, snorkelling at any one of the nearby islands or, if you are interested in scuba diving on the coral reefs or finding shipwrecks to explore, there is lots to do or nothing to do. Whichever you prefer. Hiking is plentiful whether you are on your own or with your family. Birdwatching and nature lovers will find themselves in a tropical paradise full of amazing bird and tropical fauna for you to observe. The San Blas islands are a birdwatcher’s paradise. A Kuna tourist guide can assist you when you want to explore the lush rainforests found in the San Blas Islands.
You can visit a Kuna Indian communities near your San Blas hotel where you can learn of their way of life and can buy some of their handicrafts, or the beautiful molas made by the Kuna women. They have continued with their way of life and language since a bloody rebellion in the early 20th century. In the 1950s, the Panamanian government gave them these islands where they could live their traditional life. They own these islands and they govern themselves. You can photograph the Kuna people, but you should give them a dollar tip for modeling for you. They are a friendly and warm people and welcome you to their islands.
The island of Isla Perro (Dog Island) is a must visit destination here. The natural splendour of the coral reef here has to be seen to be believed. The colorful tropical fish filled reef is an amazing sight, offering you wonderful opportunities to explore the rich undersea life here. Bring an underwater camera with you. Snorkelling and scuba diving enthusiasts will find it offers great opportunity to explore the underwater world. The coral reef surrounds almost the entire island. The owners will charge you one dollar to go to the island and they sell molas, other handicrafts and shells. The white sand beaches are absolutely gorgeous with thatched huts and lazy palms on the beaches along the shoreline.
For snorkelling and diving enthusiasts you can rent your equipment if you don’t have your own and your Kuna tourist guide can take you by boat to some of the best locations on some of the uninhabited islands which make up the San Blas Islands . You can also rent a boat by yourself if you are knowledgeable enough and know where to go.
One of the wonderful things you can do here on your San Blas vacation is that it is possible to rent your own private island by the day if you want to splurge and experience being on an island by yourself or with your romantic partner. There are so many secluded beaches around the San Blas Islands that if it’s peace and privacy you want, you will be sure to find it here. A Kuna guide will take you to this isolated island by canoe, dugout boat or motor boat. A San Blas Island vacation is a stress reduction vacation for sure, if that is what you are looking for.
If you are a lover of seafood and tropical fruits – you are really going to enjoy yourself. The fish and lobster and literally “just caught” and you will probably eat lots of it in your hotel restaurant or one of the other restaurants on the San Blas Islands. If you are vegetarian, the restaurant at your San Blas hotel will gladly prepare a vegetarian menu for you.
There best thing to do in the San Blas Islands is relax by the blue crystal clear sea with palm trees behind you or lie back in one of the hammocks and think about life or nothing in particular, so if you like to be hyper-busy, we would suggest just visiting the islands for a couple of days and staying overnight in one of the San Blas hotels.
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San Blas Hotels
Posted by Travel Editor
Where to stay in the San Blas Islands
The lure of the tropical islands of San Blas brings many of visitors from around the world each year. The islands have a range of San Blas hotels options available for all of those visitors. From home stays with a Kuna family to simple, rustic hotels to somewhat more costly luxury hotels, there is a choice, if you wants to visit these beautiful islands.
The Coral Lodge is a good pick if you are searching for luxury San Blas hotels. Located near the Comarca de Kuna Yala , this hotel, with its little cabanas build over the water, is popular with tourists to the San Blas islands. You will be staying surrounded by the rainforest as a backdrop, and pristine white sand beaches. You will be able to watch the sea, with amazing views of the sunrise and sunset from your private balcony of your cabana. The rooms are air conditioned and are very tastefully decorated in rattan and teak furniture. Fresh seafood Latin, Kuna and Caribbean food is on the menu, served at the Coral Lodge restaurant.
The Dad Ibe Island Lodge is another popular San Blas hotel, consisting of a few basic authentic cabins with private balconies and hammocks on the beach where you can enjoy the gorgeous views of the surrounding sea. You are surrounded by quiet deserted beaches, and coconut trees. Each room has a shower and toilette. Three meals with lots of seafood and fruit per day are included in the price. It’s not luxury accommodation, basic, but worth the price. The Kuna who own the Dad Ibe Island Lodge are very helpful, friendly and provide good service.
Another popular San Blas Hotel would be the Kuna Niskua Lodge. It’s actually a hostel five minutes from El Porvenir airport in the Wichub-Wala island. There is no beach here but they will take you to other islands close by where you can enjoy the beach, snorkel, diving etc. Accommodation is basic and comfortable, consisting of 10 bungalows rooms most having a private bathroom. There are hammocks for you to relax in. Electricity is solar panel generated and available only after 6:00 during the evenings. The Kuna Niskua Lodge offers friendly service and is clean and very reasonably priced for budget travel to the San Blas Islands. You will have lots of opportunity to meet the Kuna Indians here and explore the neighboring islands.
The San Blas hotels on the Islands range in price from budget to luxury accommodations but you are not going to find world wide chain hotels here. The hotels in San Blas are owned by the Kuna people and are all prime examples of eco-tourism at its best. Don’t expect 5 star luxury hotels here because you won’t find it. Travelling to the San Blas Islands is an escape to pristine beaches, great fresh seafood, relaxation and various activities such as fishing, snorkeling, diving and swimming. You can also go on a tour of a Kuna village, or your hotel owner will provide you with a boat or boat ride to see the other nearby islands. The San Blas Islands are paradise vacation, a romantic getaway, a family adventure vacation. You won’t find a Best Western in Paradise.