Ah, the beautiful San Blas islands.  the stuff dreams are made of, white sand beaches, palm trees, rustic cabins by the sea, this is where you come to get away from it all.  Can you imagine a few days at San Blas? We can, and we can organise tours in the San Blas islands for you. Well, it`s not a tour of San Blas as such, but we`ll explain.......

The San Blas islands, or Kuna Yala, comprise of 365(one for everyday of the year they say) islands located along the Caribbean coats of Panama.  Granted semi independence in 1925, the Kuna Yala is run by an elected Congresso.  Some 40 islands are inhabited and run by a chief who is a representative to the Congresso.  The Kunas have managed to fiercely retain their culture for over 500 years, despite repression by first the colonial Spanish and then Panamanian governments.  Life in the islands is still very traditional, many live as their families have done for generations.  The Kunas guard their San Blas islands by only allowing Kunas to own property within their areas.  Foreign, or Panamanian , owned businesses are not allowed.  Only some communities have running water and cooking, for example is still done over open fires.  Most people still sleep in hammocks in communal areas inside their huts.  The women still wear brightly coloured clothing, wide skirts and multi-coloured beaded bracelets wrapped the whole length of their lower legs and arms.  It`s not uncommon to see Kuna women dressed like this in all parts of Panama.

Here at Mamallena we bring it all together for you. We don`t organise a tour to San Blas but we bring together the components of the trip. We provide objective information about San Blas and about what accomodation options you have in the islands. You make a decision about where you`d like to stay and we make the booking for you. We then arrange transport to Carti in a 4x4. The return trip is organised by your accommodation providors. This makes it cheaper for you. We don`t have a profit margin added on top as do many tour providors. We`ve seen people offering some of the exact same tours as we offer for up to $100 more for a 3 night stay in San Blas. Why pay more than you have to?

Transport leaves daily from the hostel at 5am and costs $25 each way in a 4x4.  There can be later departures if theres enough demand but it?s best to get there early, meet the people from your accommodation and get to the beaches!  There are no buses to San Blas as the road at times can be a bit of an adventure.  It?s a dirt road which has been improved greatly over the last year but can still become very muddy when it rains.  Driving time is around 2.5 hours but has been known to take 10 hours (when the weather was bad and the road worse than it is now). There are also Kuna taxes to pay, $6 to enter the area and $2 at the airport(yeah, we know, you`re not flying) where you may get dropped off.  There are two drop off points, first is a river if it?s been raining and water levels are high.  If the level is down then the 4x4s can cross the river and take you to the airport.  It can get confusing at the drop off point, due to local disorganisation.  The driver will try and sort out the people you`re staying with but you may have to wait for them to arrive. Don`t worry, they`ll find you!!

You can fly down but you?ll need to arrange that in advance.  There?s not a lot of flights per day and they can fill quickly.  You?ll need to find out the closest airport to the place you want to stay at and book accordingly.  Flights to Carti, Porvenir, Rio Sidra cost around $60 one way at this stage.

WHERE TO STAY IN SAN BLAS, THE FACT SHEET.

We don`t claim to know everything about San Blas, but we do have good, reliable contacts in the Carti-El Porvenir-Rio Sidra area. Accomodation prices range from around $20 a day(including food) to $100 a day per person. The thing is, a more expensive place doesn`t always ensure you of a much higher standard. Just remember that not all these places are for everyone, thats why we give you as much information as possible to allow you to make your own decisions. Eulogio?s Place: One of the original homestays on one of the main Carti islands.  They?ve recently built an upstairs part to their house which actually has good airflow.  This is the best way to experience Kuna culture, but don?t expect to be there alone, it?s kinda like a hostel.  Conditions are basic and it?s as the locals live.  Food is basic and toilets are placed over the sea.  The price includes all food, accommodation and daily tours off to the local beach islands.  Each morning you?ll be taken to a variety of local islands where you?ll spend the day swimming, snorkelling and lazing on the beach.  In the afternoon you?ll return to Carti for the night.  Eulogio also has access to a variety of local islands where you can also spend the night. One of his islands has become very popular recently. Theres one family living there and currently 3 cabins. You may not have a private cabin(or a bed!!) but the island is amazing and will get you away from the crowds. Another of his available islands is tiny, it has 1 large palm tree and 2 small palms trees. There's only two cabins here, one occupied by the local family. Don't come ehre looking for a party but it's a perfect getaway for a couple, with lots of books.   Staying with Eulogio gives you a variety of options to move around a bit.  He charges $25 per person per night in the town and $35 on the beach islands and includes everything except for water.  The town has a number of small stores where you can buy snacks, drinks and so on.
Nixia?s Place: Another of the Carti originals, this place is very similar to Eulogios.  The concept is the same but here town is a little nicer and she has more open areas around here house for people to spend time.  Again it?s pretty basic and don?t expect luxury.  Nixia also has a number of beach islands where you can spend the night.  Her basic charge is $25 per night per person including everything (food, water, all tours).  She charges $30-35 a night to stay on the beach islands.
	Kuna Niskua:If you want to interact with the Kunas in their villages but want a higher level of comfort then this is the place. The island has quite a pretty village and the locals are friendly. The hotel has private rooms for $65 single, $50 a double and $45 for a triple(per person). Food and daily tours are included but taxes and water aren`t. You'll sleep in the hotel but each day be taken on a tour to the local beach islands. Expect a bit more luxery such as a private bathroom room, but it`s not the same standard as a similar priced hotel in the city. This is good option for those who don't want the budget backpacker option ie you want some privacy and a bit higher standard of food.
OUR SECRET ISLAND : This deal is too good to disclose, but we have to tell you anyway. We can't tell you the name of the island because we've got such a great deal on the price. This island has a great beach in it's own little corner(see the photo to the left above). You'll practically be here alone as there are only 3 cabins available for hire. Thats a total of only 6 people staying here. Plus, of course, your own private chef and cleaner.  Each cabin is built on stilts and has a small balcony overlooking the water. All food is included(and of a better standard than normal) as are daily tours to other islands. If you can drag yourself off the beach that is. A spot on this secret hideaway is normally going to cost you $110 per person per night. Due to our great contacts we can arrange places for an incredibly low $75 per person per night!!! You can find cheaper out there but for the standard of food and accommodation I don't think you can beat this deal. Theres some places in the world that you shouldn't try and do as cheaply as possible, and the San Blas islands is one of them
Franklin?s: We`ve recently returned from a couple of nights at Franklins and loved it. It`s a medium sized island split into two parts. Franklins has the larger part and the better beach. There are around 15 cabins spread out through his section, which allows ample space. The grounds are clear and the beach and whole area is raked daily. There are real toilets, but don`t make the mistake of thinking that means a lot! The food was good and plentiful, but we may feel that we because we got two huge lobsters when everyone else got mystery meat!!! It pays to have contacts hehehehehehe The price is $21 per person per night and includes 3 meals aday but no tours or water. The transport from Carti costs $7.50 each way.
Robinson?s: One of the original places in San Blas for backpackers. Located on a larger island a couple of hundred metres from Franklins, Robinsons can give you a cambination of both Kuna worlds. Theres the beach, and then theres the town. On this island about 25% is set aside for tourist accomodation and there are 4 different places here(at least 2 of them have the name Robinsons!!). The other 75% is where the Kuna community is. You`ve got the beaches to hangout at and then you can visit the town. The price is $20 a night, including 3 meals a day and a daily tour. Transport to and from Carti is $7.50 each way. Water and taxes are not included.

Please remember that this isn?t a tour as such.  It?s something we can arrange for you.  Each accommodation place is responsible for their own levels of service and comfort!! We do our best to make sure everything runs smoothly, but you have to be aware that things may not go as you expect.