Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
You've over 365 islands to choose from - one for every day of the year, as some Guna will
remind you - most with two names (one in Dulegaya or Guna, one in Spanish) and a handful
with the same name. However, the fact that only 36 support villages, and many are conveni-
ently arranged in identifiable
clusters
, simplifies planning. During one visit most visitors are
satisfied to explore just one.
The islands in the
western area
of the archipelago are the most popular, possessing the
greatest sprinkling of tiny Robinson Crusoe-style islands and the best snorkelling, as well
as more accommodation options. Moreover, they - together with a handful of islands in the
central region
- are generally more geared up for tourism. However, visitor numbers in this
part of the archipelago have shot up in the last few years, putting great strain on the natural
resources, and sometimes on Guna-tourist relations. This is mainly due to improvements in
the only road link with the
comarca
, which makes it only a three-hour drive from Panama
City. Visiting the more isolated
eastern islands
, you are likely to experience greater cultural
engagement with the Guna - provided you can speak Spanish - since you may well be the
only outsiders there.
