San Blas Islands

The islands of the San Blas Archipelago are strung out along the Caribbean coast of Panama from the Golfo de San Blas nearly all the way to the Colombian border. The islands are home to the Kuna Indians, who run the 378 islands as an independent province with minimal interference from the national government. Each Island has its own chief. The Kuna won their right to self-govern in the Kuna Revolution of 1925, an historic event that San Bias celebrates every February with the Kuna holiday of Mor Ginnid. They maintain their own economic system, language, customs and culture, with dress, legends, music and dance. The economy of the islands is based on coconut sales, fishing and tourism. Kuna law prohibits fishing in the waters by motorized boats, the taking of anything from the sea that a diver can not reach naturally. Scuba diving is therefore not permitted, but tourists may snorkel in the reef, one of the oldest and best preserved in the world. The greatest diving conditions are between April and June. The most interesting islands are Achutupu, Kagantupu and Coco Blanco. There are flights to several of the islands from Panama City or you can catch a ride with Kuna merchant ships from Colón.