There are 370 islands – more rocks, less rocks – and they are a sight for the eyes and for the heart: the archipelago of San Blas, on the eastern coast of Panama, is a paradisiacal group of lands emerging from the Caribbean Sea, lapped by topaz-colored water that contrasts with the whiteness of the beaches, dotted with wooden and thatched huts and very few eco-lodges.
The archipelago can be reached by sailboat or flight – just 20 minutes – from the capital Panama City and can be explored by small boats, accompanied by the skippers of Playón Chico, the starting point for excursions, or by the Kuna Indians on their pirogues (cayucos) who manage the territory and the reception, preserving the environment and traditions. Only fifty are inhabited by about 30 thousand people in all and among the most popular are: the island of Nargana, also known as Yandup Island, with beaches fringed with palm trees and sand that has the consistency of talcum powder, loved by surfers, and the nearby Corazón de Jesús, connected by a footbridge.
A few miles away is Isla Tigre, a small island to explore by kayak and the most authentic island, where people wear only traditional clothes. A few minutes by boat is Diadup Island, a fascinating land covered in mangroves and with an almost blinding light. Another important island with a small airport – there are actually twelve airports – is El Porvenir, in the far west of the archipelago, where you can also find the Kuna museum. A little further south, we come to a small island, Wichub-Huala, where the most elegant and renowned lodge in the archipelago is located, and which is also the best place to learn about the Kuna culture.
On the adjacent Corbisky island, a tiny islet, there is even the possibility of being hosted by a local family. These are mostly unspoilt islands, where nature can still be experienced in an authentic way and where it is sometimes possible to attend Kuna folklore events, which on rare occasions allow foreigners to see the albino Kuna, considered warrior princes of great prestige. During these manifestations one is welcomed by a whirlwind of colors and sounds: beautiful are the traditional clothes of the women, the famous mola, of hand-decorated fabric. San Blas is a real paradise for those who love the sea, even underwater: the coral reef of the archipelago, in fact, offers unforgettable dives and the possibility to snorkel everywhere. The best place to visit the seabed even without scuba diving is Isla de los Perros, a small coral island whose seabed is accessible to everyone thanks to the transparency of the sea that invites anyone to dive without fear.
Those who love to relax in the sun have a white beach with coconut trees at their disposal, while those who prefer underwater adventures can swim to the submerged wreck of a Colombian cargo ship from the 1940s and watch dozens and dozens of manta rays passing by.
(by Ida Bini – Ansa)
