The San Blas Islands

The San Blas Islands, or Guna Yala, lie off Panama's northern Caribbean coast, an archipelago of 365 islands, about fifty of them inhabited, many just a patch of white sand with a few palms in clear shallow water. They are the autonomous homeland of the Guna people, who govern the region themselves, keep their own traditions and receive visitors in simple island cabins and on boat trips between the islands.

What you'll find

• The palm-topped islands - the tiny white-sand islands in turquoise seas.
• The Guna culture - the traditions and molas textiles of the Guna people.
• Island-hopping and snorkelling - the boat trips between the islands.
• The simple cabin stays - the basic island lodgings over the water.

When to go

December to April, the dry season, for the sunniest weather and calmest seas; the region is remote and off-grid, so visits are simple and rustic year-round, with the dry season the most reliable for boat trips and clear water.

Practical notes

It is genuinely remote and rustic: reached by a rough four-wheel-drive journey and a boat or a small flight, with basic, simple accommodation, little electricity, and simple food. It is governed by the Guna, who charge community fees and set the rules, so respect their culture and authority. There are no resorts.

Nearby

The mainland jungle and Panama City are the gateway; the coast stretches toward Colombia.

Key facts