Overview
Take a trip to San Blas Islands on your Panama Vacation
While on a Panama vacation, you can visit the San Blas Islands situated off the Isthmus of Panama to the east of the canal, an archipelago that is made up of approximately 378 islands and cays, only 49 of which are inhabited.
The archipelago’s main inhabitants are the Kuna people who originally came from Colombia but have lived on the islands since before Christopher Columbus visited in 1502. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Panama government tried to stifle many of the Kuna’s traditions which led to a violent uprising in 1925. The result of this uprising was that the Kuna people were given permission to use their own forms of government.
Today, the Kuna people run the islands as an autonomous province of Panama and as such, receive little interference. They are famous for successfully refusing to assimilate and have maintained a lot of their traditions including language and dress.
The archipelago’s economy is based on coconut sales, fishing and tourism as many people come to explore these incredibly unique islands. The area is surrounded by some of the oldest reefs in the world that are teeming with marine wildlife, making for excellent snorkelling and swimming. There are opportunities on a Panama vacation to visit Kuna villages to see this fascinating culture first hand or visitors can choose to relax on a pristine beach in this island paradise.
The archipelago’s economy is based on coconut sales, fishing and tourism as many people come to explore these incredibly unique islands. The area is surrounded by some of the oldest reefs in the world that are teeming with marine wildlife, making for excellent snorkelling and swimming. There are opportunities on a Panama vacation to visit Kuna villages to see this fascinating culture first hand or visitors can choose to relax on a pristine beach in this island paradise.
At a Glance
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Panamanian Balboa (PAB)What do the experts say?
U.S. dollars are used interchangeably with Panamanian balboas (at a 1:1 rate). There’s no need to exchange currency if you’re carrying U.S. cash.
Many assume Panama is just about the canal. In reality, it’s also a paradise for beaches, highlands, and indigenous culture — from Caribbean islands like the San Blas to the coffee region of Boquete.
Panama has more bird species than the United States and Canada combined — over 1,000. For birdwatchers, it’s one of the richest destinations in the world.
A visit to an Emberá indigenous village along the Chagres River is a cultural highlight — arriving by dugout canoe, sharing traditional food, and learning about their way of life in the rainforest.
Globetrotters should ensure they visit Isla Coiba, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once a penal colony, today it’s one of the best diving and snorkeling spots in the Americas, often compared to the Galápagos for its marine biodiversity.
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