Anecdotes of a Globetrotter: San Blas Islands

San Blas islands is an archipelago consisting of approximately 378 islands and cays, and located on the north coast of Panama. They are home to the Kuna Yala Indians, another group of indigeneous of Panama.

There are a few ways to get to San Blas : By sailing (my original choice of travel, and probably the most recommended), by air or by 4x4 jeep.

Due to time shortage, we went by 4x4 jeep option, where we were picked up at 5.30am yesterday from our hotel in Panama city. It was subsequently a 2 hour ride towards the jetty, where arrangements were subsequently made for us to board a speedboat to Carti island, located about half an hour away from the jetty.

Our original plan of staying for 3 days 2 night was cut short for a few reasons.

Firstly, hygiene standards. This morning at breakfast, I noticed that they did not wash cups which were previously used by another individual! Niklaus came down with a high fever this morning as well, and for someone who hardly gets sick, one can only speculate that it could be due to the food or hygiene standards. I was lucky I had not encountered any problems.

Accomodation on Carti

Secondly, accomodation facilities. We were looking forward to arriving at an island, surrounded with clean clear water and almost untouched, but we were subsequently told that accommodation on cabanas (located on an island which we subsequently visited on a day trip) were full and the only accomodation available was on Carti.

Carti was where the local Kuna Yalas stayed, with villages built on stilts and the water around the island was filled with trash and filthy. Our accomodation was located in small rooms built just above one of the houses where the Kuna Yala´s stayed and the toilet facility was basically a hole in the bowl with view of fishes below, awaiting for their meal!

Toilet on Carti

Toilet on the island!

It sort of reminded me of the accomodation in the mountains of Nepal (without the fishes in the sea!), and I would have actually not mind about the accomodation, if I was earlier forewarned. But as my idea of San Blas versus what we got was far from ideal, it was disappointing.

The cabanas would have been nice though as it was located on an island surrounded by clean clear water - something closer to what I was expecting.

Thirdly, under delivery of tour. We were charged a daily rate, which was supposed to be all-inclusive ie. accomodation, food, boat transportation, tour to 2 islands each day etc.

However when we arrived yesterday, we only visited one island (don´t remember the name of the island, but the cabanas are located on this island), and we had to pay additional $ per person to be on the island (not quite all-inclusive!).

Furthermore, when we asked where we would most likely be going the next day if we stayed for an additional day, the Kuna Yala who arranged the whole trip for us said Dog Island, and then back to the same island where we were yesterday. Not quite the plan of island hopping we were expecting.

Fishermen catching fish off an island

So I made a decision to stay just for one night and head back to Panama city today. Probably a good call, considering that facilities in Panama city, although not the best, is definitely better than on San Blas, especially when Niklaus had fallen ill.

Don´t get me wrong and think that San Blas was not at all nice. On the contrary, I think San Blas is a group of really beautiful islands, and I personally enjoyed relaxing on the island with the cabanas, and had a good swim while I was there.

However, I believe the trip to San Blas would have definitely been more enjoyable if one was to experience and sail to the different islands on a sail boat at their own leisure time.

Guess I will have to wait and see if I will ever get the time and opportunity to experience it.