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Guna Yala is a secluded and self-shaped by one of the seven indigenous communities in Panama: a province of hundreds of islands in the Caribbean. Guna Yala, formerly known as the San Blas Islands, is one of my favorite places to visit in Panama and one of your most unique experiences in the Americas.
Disclosure: I visited Guna Yala while attending ATWS held by ATWS held by ATWS held by ATWS held by Panama.
I've been there Panama Many times, this is the first time I was able to plan enough to make it a Guna Yala. It's not an easy task, and travelers passing by often make mistakes and try to squeeze too much on a day trip.
The truth is, I recommend you staying at least one night to really immerse yourself (even if that doesn't feel enough!) This guide visits Guna Yala / San Blas Panama, which will help you do that.
Know Guna Yala
Learn about Guna Yula with these interesting facts.
What is Guna Yala famous?
If you've never heard of Guna Yala before, you might have heard of San Blas. It is an archipelago along the Caribbean coast of Panama and is home to more than 400 islands and Cayes.
A few years ago, Panama officially renamed its name from San Blas to Guna Yala, more accurately representing the Guna tribe. You may see it interchangeable with San Blas or the spelled Kuna Yala (formerly spelled), but when in Panama and formal, it is “Guna Yala”.
Guna Yala Province is known for its beautiful islands, autonomous indigenous communities and matriarchal societies along the Caribbean coast. Of the over 400 islands, Guna lives on nearly 50 islands – the property is mainly owned by women!
Who are the Guna people in Panama?
The Guna People are one of the seven indigenous communities in Panama (Ngäbe, buglé, Emberá, Wounaan, Bri Bri and Naso Tjërdi are The other six). They can also be found in Colombia.
They used to live in coastal jungles, but between genocide, trade and disease, they began to occupy the islands in the 1800s. Despite Panama's attempt to assimilate, Guna is one of the few tribes in the world to fight for and win autonomy.
Guna is famous for its revolutionary rebellion, the 1925 Kuna Revolution, insisted on their customs and traditions and eventually became an autonomous realm.
Why is St. Bras famous?
Social media was formerly a hidden gem that made San Blas Panama famous for its pristine turquoise waters, white sand beaches and an immersive experience supporting the local indigenous economy.
Guna Yala is very concerned about the Panama Canal as a destination, with The famous canal and the urban environment of Panama City. Tourism accounts for nearly 80% of its economy.
How to go Guna Yala
The best way to get to the San Bras Islands.
Guna Yala is located on the Caribbean side of the Panama coast. The ultimate way to get to the island is by boat, with local kus paying taxes ($20 cash per person) through its territory.
When I visited Guna Yala, I had already had a week-long adventure through a company called Panama Culture. I came from the village of Embera Puru, where we visited Chagres National Park, and we drove to the coast and were transported to the island where we booked our accommodation in (Yani Island).
The company I use (Panama Culture Comment here) have been in direct contact with local Guna tribe members and have arranged our experiences with transportation, boating and even snorkeling.
How do I get from Panama City to Guna Yara?
If you are not going to Guna Yala for a tour and want to visit from Panama City, there are a few things to know.
- You need a 4×4 vehicle to get to the port (4×4 is required due to the terrain and it is about 3 hours' drive from Panama City).
- You need to pay $20/pp tax, $5 tax per vehicle (USD)
- Then buy a water taxi in Port Cartí – $2-5 port tax; water taxi pricing varies but brings cash. Your accommodation may be able to arrange your boat, so please contact them first.
If your preferred Guna Yala day trip, try the following:
What to expect to visit Guna Yala
You're ready to visit St. Brass!
Is San Blas expensive?
In my experience, Guna Yala is not a cheap place to visit, cash is king. Overall, Panama is not a budget destination, so you can expect to spend a few hundred dollars in San Blas.
Here are some examples of preparation costs:
Cash currency is crucial around the island and there is no ATM when you run out. Everything has costs too: tips, boat rides, rents, food, drinks and accommodation.
I don't drink or buy souvenirs, so I brought in $100 in pocket money as I booked my meals and accommodation to pay for my meals and accommodation. Otherwise, I will have to bring more.
- Depending on the quality, the accommodation costs $75-300 per night.
- Soda and small water bottles are $3 and coconut water is $5.
- The unfinished Mola Fabric Plaza (souvenir) starts at about $10
- I spent about $60 tips throughout my stay
- Locals charge $2-5 per photo to take photos
- If you do not book a package
The comfort of Guna Yala
One thing you want to know is that, in a materialistic sense, it’s not a five-star vacation experience. Unless you rent the yacht and arrange to access Guna Yala this way (the access fee may still be required), you will experience a currencyless, simple lifestyle, even at a higher price.
The boat ride will be bumpy and long, and it will eventually be uncomfortable. You wish you brought a fan in your stay and the food would be good but not good. If you are vegan or vegan, you will have difficulties especially since we eat almost fish and eggs every day. This requires your extra preparation.
That said, I loved the experience and immediately thought of the way I could go back there to bring my loved ones. I know I need to manage expectations because it's much easier for me to do this.
Do you speak English in St. Bras?
Guna speaks Kuna as their primary language, but many people, especially young people, speak Spanish too. If you can't speak Spanish, here is a guide that comes in handy.
When I visited St. Bras, I didn't hear any English at all. I speak Spanish to everyone just like our guide. Members of the Spanish-speaking tour group seek help from Spanish-speaking Americans and learn some basic words along the way. I'm sure I've been working in the tourism industry for many years, but I can't hear it myself.
Jumping Guna Yala on the island
My Tips for Seeing Multiple Islands in St. Bras
Jumping the island in Guna Yala
The key to doing in Guna Yala is Go Island Hoping. There is not much to do on the islands, these islands won't revolve around relaxation and water, so enjoy it! My tour has waterproof Kindle Paperwhite and snorkeling. That's what I need.
When I visited Guna Yala we visited three islands and two open cayes/sandbars (except the islands we live in). You can squeeze about 3-4 spots a day before the day starts to get tired, but remember that the distance between certain islands can be an hour by boat, so it is best to get your guide to recommend the best distance.
My recommended places are Yani Island, Los Cayos Holandeses and Nalunega peeking into local life and buying handmade Mola fabrics (note: locals are not encouraged to take photos).
Where to live in Guna Yala
My Tips for Where to Stay in St. Brass
Accommodation in Guna Yala may vary. There are different types of accommodation on the islands of St. Bras, which range from simple tents to seafront or water cabins.
I live in Yani Island and love it, although I make sure to handle my expectations in advance. Here are some insights into the experience:
Through the tour I participated in, I stayed in a pouring cottage, but the accommodation was still very basic. I have a simple light bulb (it barely illuminates the room so I didn't use much), a table and a simple bed/mattress. No fans and limited electricity, no net or window screens, we used shared bathroom facilities (this is a modern toilet that requires water). We did have showers and they were able to cook/sell drinks for us in the communal dining area.
This is a video My typical mornings look like in Yani Island:
What to pack in San Bras Panama
The secret I'm perfectly packing for Guna Yala in Panama.
Packing Guna Yala is the easiest thing for you! I have a small backpack full of everything I had for two days. This is what I brought:
clothing:
- 2 swimsuits
- 1 towel
- Pirath Guard Shirt (UV protection on board)
- shorts
- 1 PJ set
- 2 pieces shirt (one long sleeve)
shoe:
- Sandals are beach friendly (I used my birdenstocks)
- Flip shower
Personal items/toiletries:
- drug
- Sunscreen (reef safety)
- Bug spray
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Contacts/glasses
- sunglasses
gear:
- Camera (I brought my Insta360, Gopro, Sony A7C)
- power bank (No power, so multiple devices must be charged vigorously)
- Dry bag (Essential! Your stuff can get wet on the boat, so keep the electronics dry)
- Lightweight tripod (I use this for my iPhone)
- Flashlight and fan (I use this Combine one This makes me more comfortable there)
Is St. Bras worth visiting?
This is the truth about visiting Guna Yala – is it worth it?
How to protect the future of San Bra
With climate change and water levels rising, we don't know how long Guna Yala will be exploring there. Some experts only talked about it for 80 years!
Some islands have begun planning for relocation due to sea level rise and erosion. So how do you help? If you like this paradise, consider the environmental impact of our daily actions so that these communities can enter the paradise of future generations.
When you snorkeling here, wear reef-safe sunscreen and realize you are not exposed to marine life. Coral reefs help prevent erosion and protect the coastline. When visiting islands, invest in hiring local tours that know how to navigate the islands so as not to be crowded on overpopular islands. And always practice the principle of not leaving traces, aiming to make a place better than you find.
Is Panama worth it in St. Bras?
Guna Yala put some effort into it, it wasn't a quick and cheap drop. Is that worth it? I said 100% yes. As a descendant of the Caribbean and a man who loves islands and snorkeling, Guna Yala is My last trip to PanamaI'm already thinking about going back.
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