More Islands of the San Blas Islands
Posted by Travel Editor
This article explains the islands you can consider and travel to on your vacation in the San Blas Islands. Some are more populated and westernized than others. Other islands are deserted and lacking in tourist facilities, but if that is what you are looking for, these islands are perfect for your escape to the Kuna Yala archipelago.
Cayos Chichime
The Cayos Chichime lie west of the Cayos Holandes. The Cayos Chichime are better known as the Wichudup or Wichitup where you will find a place to stay if there is space, owned by a man called Umburto. These huts will cost you $5 a night, if there’s a vacancy. You can also get some freshly caught seafood and he will provide a boat ride to El Pouvenir for a price. These islands are quite beautiful and worth a visit.
Mamitupo Island
Mamitupo Island has an airstrip and is the gateway to the Isla Uaguitupo or Dolphin Island where you’ll find the Dolphin Island Resort or the Uaguitupo Lodge. If you arrive by yacht, you will be welcomed by a local, Pablo Nunez Perez, in a dugout canoe who is willing to act as your tour guide.
Playon Chico
It is better to go to Playon Chico by airplane because of the rough seas you’ll encounter between here and Corazon de Jesus. It’s a good starting point if you plan to visit more of the San Blas Islands. Playon Chico is a large busy island and probably the most modern of all the San Blas Islands. For the closest thing to a luxury hotel on the San Blas Islands, the island Isla Iskadarp houses the Sapibenega Kuna Lodge. It’s expensive, but has beautiful cabanas on stilts over the water, balconies, private bathrooms, hammocks and beautiful serene views surround the Sapibenega Kuna Lodge. For more information, read our review on the Sapibenega Kuna Lodge or visit their website for booking www.Sapibenega.com.
Corazon de Jesus
Corazon de Jesus is a busy place where there is also a landing strip for flying in, a large grocery shop, and a bank (in Nargana – the only bank you’ll find in the San Blas Islands). It is a bustling center of activity, concrete buildings and commercial activity. It’s an interesting place to visit but very westernized.
Near to Corazon de Jesus, you’ll find Isla Tigre (very clean and the inhabitants living the traditional Kuna lifestyle), Isla Kwadula where the Kuna people also live more traditional lifestyles. The islands are quiet and clean. Accommodation is available on Isla Kwadula with cabanas on stilts overlooking the sea. Good snorkeling will be found nearby in the coral reefs and it has a restaurant and bar.
Also nearby is Rio Acuzar where you will find a grocery store and other stores. Rio Acuzar is a popular stopover for those with boats traveling around the area of the San Blas Islands because of the available services here, including a medical center and phones.
Rio Sidra
There is an airstrip on the island of Rio Sidra and a general store. Rio Sidra is close to the beautiful islands of Isla Kuanidup and Isla Dup Askunikad. Both of these islands have some simple hotels where you will find both hammocks and marvelous beaches. On Isla Kuanidup, you will find some cabana accommodation with hammocks, white sand beaches, coral reefs for snorkeling. Great snorkeling on the reefs can also be found at Isla Nusatupo because of the large reefs, the lack of tourist facilities and tourists. Those with yachts will find the calm, quiet bays here a good place to drop anchor. Nearby, is Isla Maquina, worth a trip to but you won’t find any accommodations or restaurants here.
This sums up the major islands of the Kuna Yala archipelago. Read about the other San Blas islands I wrote in my previous posting, Find your island and enjoy your paradise here on the San Blas Islands.