San Blas

Suggested stay: 1-2 nights

Setting: Island

Best time to go: Year round

In a nutshell: Encompassing more than 350 islands and islets, 60 of which are inhabited, the San Blas or Mulatas Archipelago is located in the Caribbean Sea along the northeastern coast of Panama. Turquoise waters surround white-sand beaches dotted with palm trees and thatched-roof communities. The archipelago is inhabited by the Guna Indians, who were so determined to protect their culture and way of life that the Panamanian Government ended up giving them the authority to create the “Comarca” (Autonomous Territory) of San Blas, where an indigenous congress still rules. Guna women spend countless hours stitching the colorful reverse-applique cotton “molas” which are the bases for their dresses while men fish and cultivate coconut, corn, rice, cocoa, and yucca

Highlights