Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cabañas Tigre
CABIN $
( 6099-2738; r per person US$10, child US$5; meals from US$4)
The best feature here is the
chill reception - guests have their own ample space but also get to see a fair amount of
typical village life, with locals who are more open and relaxed toward travelers than else-
where. They also recycle. Pleasant beachside
cabañas
have cement floors, colorful ham-
mocks and shared facilities.
The ocean here is crystal clear and fairly placid, perfect for kayaking (from December
to June) or snorkeling. Tigre has three new bamboo-and-thatch cabins under construc-
tion, which will raise rates since they feature private bathrooms. Snorkel gear (US$2)
and meals are extra (US$4 to US$25), the highest prices are for lobster.
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Playón Chico & Nearby Islands
Playón Chico
With regular air connections to Panama City, Playón Chico serves as a popular gateway
to San Blás, especially since it's located near the archipelago's most expensive hotel on
Isla Iskardup. If you're looking for more modestly priced accommodations, Playón
Chico also serves as a convenient jumping-off point for nearby Yandup.
While much of the island is still covered by traditional dwellings, the main drag in
Playón Chico is home to everything from missionaries and concrete churches to video
shops and liquor stores. Although Playón Chico isn't set up to receive tourists, a quick
stroll from the airstrip to the docks reveals the conflicting pressures shaping modern
Kuna life.
Yandup
Just five minutes by boat from Playon Chico, the tiny islet of Yandup is home to the re-
US$160/230)
, run by a very attentive Spanish-Kuna family. Accommodations are s imple
but comprise lovely octagonal thatched-roof cabins with private bathrooms. Light comes
from solar panels and water from the mainland. The island's grassy grounds, palm shade
and powder-fine beach might be reason enough to just stay put.
Guests can be catered to with vegetarian meals and tailored excursions, which include
cultural visits as well as the usual snorkeling and hiking.
