Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hostel/hotel transfers
Hostels and hotels in Panama City can arrange a pick-up in a 4WD
vehicle - $30 one way, plus
taxes
- which usually takes four passengers, from your accom-
modation at around 5am. Drivers will generally stop off at a hypermarket in the outer suburbs
of Panama City to allow passengers to stock up on supplies before driving on to Guna Yala.
With a private driver
You can also make your own arrangements with the Guna transport
organization in Panama City (C 33, Calidonia; 225 4900; or talk to “Pollo” on 6500
5376). As well as the usual pre-dawn departures for Cartí, they sometimes have vehicles that
leave later in the morning. The rates are the same as those offered by the hostels and hotels.
Onward travel by motorized dugout
On arrival at the Cartí or the adjacent Barsukum dock,
visitors pile into a collection of waiting motorized dugouts sent by their accommodation to
transport them to their island lodgings, a cost included in some deals. If travelling independ-
ently without pre-booking any package, it's worth asking the waiting boatmen about vacan-
cies - popular backpacker islands often book up - or ask to get dropped off in Carti Sugdup
($3), a transport hub for neighbouring islands, where you can check out what other transport
is leaving that day. Transfer fees vary, from around $20 return to one of the islands round
Cartí and Río Sidra to $40 or more if you need to travel further afield. You may be lucky
to find a community boat (carrying Guna heading for an island) that can transport you for a
cheaper fare.
BY PLANE
Destinations
Air Panama ( 316 9000,
airpanama.com
)
serves seven destinations within
the
comarca
. Seats go quickly so book well in advance at the Air Panama office in
Albrook
airport
or on Avenida Balboa, especially for Puerto Obaldía. Note that flights into the
comarca
have an 11kg checked luggage allowance. There are daily flights to Achutupu,
Corazón de Jesús, El Porvenir and Playón Chico and six times a week to Puerto Obaldía, as
well as flights three times a week (Tues, Thur & Sun) to Mulatupo and Ogobsukum. Flights
often stop off at more than one destination.
Flight times
All flights depart from Albrook airport at 6am - except for the plane for Puerto
Obaldía, which leaves mid-morning - though times are prone to change and delays are com-
mon so check beforehand. All flights return to Panama City the moment they've dropped off
their last passengers, generally around 7-7.30am.
Fares
Prices, including taxes, range from $75 (El Porvenir) to $111 (Puerto Obaldía) one
way. Most of the airstrips are located on the mainland a few hundred metres from the islands
themselves. When organizing return flights from the
comarca
, you can ring Air Panama and
book a seat with a credit card, making the payment on arrival at Albrook airport. You can't
book flights between islands.
Transfer to your hotel
If you have arranged a package tour, there will be a boatman from
your accommodation at the airstrip to take you to your destination. This transfer may or may
