Page 255 - The Rough Guide to Panama (Travel Guide)

Guna Yala 253
airstrips are on the mainland a few hundred metres from airstrip to take you to your destination. This transfer may or
the islands themselves. When organizing return flights may not be included in the tour cost. Independent
from the comarca, you can ring Air Panama and book a seat travellers may be able to catch a ride (for a fee); otherwise,
with a credit card, paying on arrival at Albrook. other boatmen are usually hanging around with whom you
Booking Seats go quickly, especially for Puerto Obaldía, so can negotiate a deal.
book well in advance at the Air Panama office in Albrook
Airport or on Avenida Balboa (see p.73). Even if the flight is BY BOAT
fully booked, it’s worth turning up at the airport at 5am on The main entry point by sea is Puerto Obaldía in the
the day, when a couple of standby places are usually southeastern corner, where you’ll almost inevitably be
available. Note that flights into the comarca have an 11kg arriving from Colombia (see p.268). Backpackers travelling
checked luggage allowance. to and from Cartagena, Colombia, by sailboat from Puerto
Flight times Almost all flights depart from Albrook at Lindo or Portobelo usually spend a couple of days in Guna
6am – except the plane for Puerto Obaldía, which leaves Yala en route (see box, p.25).
mid-morning – though schedules are prone to change and From Puerto Obaldía Smallish fibreglass motorboats
delays are common, so always check beforehand. All the (lanchas) head up the coast from Puerto Obaldía to Cartí
early flights return to Panama City almost immediately, ($100/person) several times a week, depending on demand 7
generally around 7–7.30am; enquire at Puerto Obaldía (see p.268), and will drop you off at other islands en route.
airport the day before for departure times on that service. Note that the sea is very rough and dangerous between
Transfer to your hotel If you have arranged a package, Puerto Obaldía and Achutupu (especially Dec–March), and
there will be a boatman from your accommodation at the the experience is likely to be extremely wet and

Day-trips (from around $90–110) and overnight camping trips (from around $130–150)
from Panama City are offered as extras in high season, though the former are rarely worth the
time and expense, given the six hours needed to get to and from the dock, plus the boat
travel time.
TOUR COMPANIES
In theory only Guna-owned companies are entitled to operate within the comarca, though
several others do, including backpacker boats to and from Colombia (see box, p.25). The
overnight stays organized by the tour companies tend to be more expensive than tours
arranged directly with the accommodation concerned, though in some cases you’re paying
the extra for an English-speaking guide.
Expediciones Tropicales (Xtrop) T387 4582, dinghy forays to the mainland. Prices depend on the
Wxtrop.com. Excellent sea-kayak tours working with boat capacity and cabin occupation, the degree of
trained Guna guides and communities, and with plenty luxury, and the season – in high season it’s easier and
of beach-lounging and snorkelling opportunities. Their cheaper to share ($150–300/day for a monohull,
four-day excursion ($550/person) is based on Nurdub $215–590/day for a catamaran). Private charters are
and includes return transfer from Panama City by road more expensive. Transport to the comarca and Guna
and boat, including taxes. The longer excursion usually taxes are not included.
starts from Isla Tigre. Two people minimum. Transkuna C Ecuador and Av Justo Arosemena,
San Blas Amazing Tour T6846 7537 or T6816 Panama City T390 2577 or T6520 9601. Reliable
8569, Wsanblasamazingtour.com. New Guna Guna-run transport company providing transport to the
company run by operatives experienced in hospitality, comarca in comfortable brand-new vehicles. Also all-
providing inexpensive day or overnight camping trips inclusive day-trips from Panama City and overnight
to Cayos Limones; $180/person including food, stays in cabañas or tents in the Cayos Limones – you’ll
transport from Panama City, tours and camping pay $150 to stay in a tent on Yansailadub.
equipment (camping only available in high season). Viajes San Blas T6793 1797 (English), T6138 6312
Some English spoken. (Spanish), Wviajessanblas.com. Efficient Guna outfit
San Blas Sailing T314 1800, Wsanblassailing offering (almost) all-inclusive day- and multiday trips from
.com. Professional and pricey but providing an idyllic Panama City to a wide range of islands at much the same
way to see the archipelago, offering sailing tours (in rates as the island lodgings themselves charge – $132 for a
French, Spanish and English; three to 21 days), two-night dorm stay on Isla Diablos, for example (4WD
generally in western Guna Yala, including kayak or transfer from Panama City and comarca tax extra).

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