Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
your hosts with good humor and patience, and they will probably reciprocate in
spades.
Sleeping & Eating
Carefully selecting your accommodations on the islands is key, since their remoteness
makes it difficult to change your mind. Camping on an uninhabited island isn't wise be-
cause you run the risk of encountering drug traffickers in the night. The Kuna do not al-
low the Panamanian coast guard or US antidrug vessels to operate in the archipelago, so
the uninhabited islands are occasionally used by Colombian drug traffickers running co-
caine up the coast.
There are only a handful of lodgings on the islands and none on the mainland. Most of
these are basic but comfortable. Most densely populated islands in the district have a
store selling basic items, as well as pay phones for domestic and international calls. The
phones are public, but there's usually a Kuna standing nearby charging a telephone tax of
US$1 per call or more. Cell phones may work in some areas.
Since there are almost no restaurants, each lodging provides meals for guests. They are
usually seafood based, with lobster for extra. Quality varies, as some local fishing stocks
have been depleted, but there is always a healthy supply of fresh coconuts.
Activities
Most lodgings offer complete packages, where a fixed price gets you a room, three meals
a day and boat rides to neighboring islands for swimming, snorkeling and lounging on
the beach. If you seek community life, you can also arrange visits to more populated is-
lands. Before swimming off the shores of a heavily populated island, however, take a
look at the number of outhouses built over the ocean - they may change your mind.
Snorkeling
is good in places, but many coral reefs are badly damaged. You can often
rent snorkeling equipment from your hotel. Serious snorkelers should bring their own
gear. Jaunts to hike the mainland jungles are arranged with a guide. Most travelers are
content with simply soaking up the Caribbean sun and perfecting their hammock-sway-
ing.
Festivals & Events
Kuna Revolution of 1925
HISTORIC
