Panama Real Estate Investment Travel Information


San Blas Visit: Part II

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Tuesday, March 14 2006

Sunday, 6AM

Sleeping was a little tough as it was darned hot there w/o AC or fans. Not as many bugs as you'd expect but I'd advise guests to bring DEET. I think it was an abnormally hot night, but everyone commented that they still slept great. Crashing waves feet from your bed will do that. Early in the AM we had a light breakfast and departed. The tour guide, waitresses and manager were really, really nice people. We went back to the airport and flew a few islands over to Dolphin Lodge.

7AM

After a very short ride in the canoe we checked into Dolphin Lodge. The island is less remote (you can see the villagers on the neighboring island waving) and there is virtually no beach, but the weather there was nicer that day and cooler. The layout of the Dolphin Lodge is pretty similar except in place of bamboo walls you have carib-style clapboard painted burgundy. The rooms are a little larger and the bathroom more roomy. 3 beds instead of 2.

11AM

We did basically the same double tour of remote beach and local village, only this village was much more pleasant and well planned. We toured a mangrove looking for crocs (saw none) and other animals and headed home.

1PM

Exhausted from swimming against pretty strong tides we slept most the afternoon. Lunch was a huge caribbean crab called centollo served with rice and leche de coco. It was good. You'd better like seafood if you go to these places! They do offer alternatives for those who don't eat seafood.

6PM

Maybe the best meal, we had large portions of lobster with a great sauce. The chef used to work at the Marriott in P. City. Watched the sunset from the hammock and went to bed early

Monday, 5AM

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Today we did the same gig. One funny part, a Kuna slapped a 2 year old girl on my Panamanian friend's lap and was basically saying, "could you deliver this to Panama City for me?". We thought he was kidding...then he walked away. We had an annoying flight home with about 6 stops. Flying time was 1.5 hours to make a 30 minute trip. Hot. We cleared the local airport immigration, delivered the Kuna child to her rightful (we hope!) owners and were back at the apartment in P. City by 8:30am.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS: I'm not sure if kids would have a great time marooned on these islands, but I imagine that some might. I think two nights is perfect, three nights might be pushing it. I did relax and feel fabulous after eating so well and taking in so much sun, all in slow motion. The locals were very nice, never pushy and willing to please. The guestbook at Sapibenega was overflowing with positive comments. Both lodges are very similar, hard to choose but I think maybe I preferred Sapibenega for the ambience, but Dolphin for the local culture. Food was about the same.

The excursions were fun but not incredibly well-guided. Not sure if many of the guides speak English, but we can find that out. Both hotels are very small and intimate. I think they're ideal for couples or families with teenage or older kids. Although it's pretty rustic living (cold water shower, etc) you really don't notice because the common areas and nature are so beautiful. This is one of the few places in the world where one can observe a mostly unspoiled culture. That, combined with the food, weather, ocean and scenery makes it more than worth the trip. It's definitely on my short list of places to see.

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