From the exciting capital Panama City, to tropical island life in Bocas del Toro and the San Blas Islands, and rainforest treks in Boquete, find out the best places to travel to in my Panama travel blogs and travel guides.
Happy exploring!
“The most content people on the planet”.
That’s what the article in Wanderlust magazine said. It was talking about the Guna Yala – the indigenous people living on the San Blas Islands just off the east coast of Panama. My plan? To capture some of that happiness to take home!
The draw of this archipelago is more than just spending a day lazing on a deserted beach; it’s to witness the Guna Yala culture first hand. These indigenous people live in a handful of places in Panama and Columbia, with the islands of San Blas being the most densely populated. It’s fair to say, this Guna Yala region is particularly special.
San Blas Islands, Panama
Panama’s government has tried to control and change these communities against their will. After a few revolutions, there is now a treaty in place, which permits them to have a certain degree of autonomy. Some islands are tiny, with little more than a dusting of sand and a few palm trees, others have small shacks or basic hotels, while a few are more developed and home to large communities with their own schools and churches.
First things first, this San Blas Islands map will help you get your head around where the islands are…
If you want to stay overnight, that can be arranged, otherwise you return in the evening. These San Blas islands tours are pricey and you’re restricted to a rigid itinerary, not to mention travelling with a bus-load of tourists.
We looked at other ways to get there, but felt nervous about the options. Many forums said that you could be stopped from going along the road to the port, and that some of the roads were in such bad condition they might be difficult to navigate even in a 4×4. Add to that, the main road wasn’t even listed on Google Maps!
Misty views on the way from Panama City to the departure dock for the San Blas Islands, Panama
There’s plenty more to Panama than the canal! Find out the best places to visit including Bocas Del Toro, Boquete and the stunning San Blas Islands. How much do you know about the Central American country of Panama? Before I went, I knew there was a famous canal and they had…
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Find out more about visiting Santa Catalina, Panama, including how to get there, where to stay and what there is to do. How To Get To Santa Catalina, Panama From Boquete, I travelled five hours by bus to Santa Catalina – a tiny beach town on the pacific coast of…
With lush rainforest and cooler temperatures, Boquete in Panama is a huge contrast to Bocas Del Toro and Panama City. You can’t get two more contrasting places than Bocas Del Toro and Boquete. Boquete is buried deep in the rainforest, in between several mountains and close to Volcano Baru. The…