The Kuna Culture

The Kunas are known and appreciated hosts. The visitor will not feel at any time like a stranger or even an intruder. You will meet thousand-years-old traditions, their dances, their music, their language, their food, in general, their way of life.

Most Kunas live nowadays in the modern territory of Panama in the autonomous regions of Kuna Yala, Wargandí and Madugandi. Some Kunas live in Columbian territory. The ancestors of the Kunas came from Central America to what now is Panama as part of the migratory movement of the Chibcha Culture to the east of modern Colombia.

We don’t know for sure to what extent the Chibcha and Kuna culture influenced each other. We only know that neither the Chibcha Culture nor the Chibcha population survived the conquistadores and later colonization through the spaniards. Kunas instead managed to isolate from the developments in the colony. Thus they preserved their own culture. Until the XXth century Kunas practically didn’t experience any western influence.

Kuna mythology is based on the two creators Pab Dummat (The Big Father) and Nan Dummat (The Big Mother). Kuna religion is a mix of the universal feminine and masculine concept under special Kuna logical rules. For foreigners this concept is quite hard to understand.

The Saila or Kuna Chief unifies in his person the political and the religious Chief of the community. The saila presides the political meetings held in the local congress. The local congress also has a religious character. In the congress the Saila chants religious and historical songs full of symbolism and mythology. The songs are translated and interpreted by the arkar (the Saila’s spokesman)

A pearl of the Caribbean

The autonomous region of Kuna Yala covers an area of 2341 km² on the shores of the Caribbean on the northeastern part of Panama. This 10 km wide and 373 km long strip of land has on its shores 365 islands. Most of these islands are uninhabited. This Kuna territory with its 30 thousand inhabitants is the most important one for Kuna culture.

The reefs that surround San Blas Islands are particularly noteworthy, because they are some of the latest in the world that retain their original marine life.

With its virgin nature, its islands and beaches of white sand and pristine water, Kuna Yala deserves the name of a pearl of the Caribbean. Until some years a hidden paradise in this planet, Kuna Yala is slowly opening its doors to foreigners. The foreigners haven’t missed the opportunity to visit this land and the impression they’ve taken is to have found a treasure. You should also visit this land blessed by nature and inhabited by friendly persons with beautiful traditions.

Beautiful Nature

Kuna Yala is a region of exceptional beauty. You will have at your disposal 365 islands, most of them uninhabited, beaches of white sand, pristine waters, hot tropical sun, nights full of stars, a worldwide unique maritime flora and fauna and as if that weren’t enough, on the mainland you will find a virgin tropical forest with clean rivers and beautiful cascades. Last but not least, you will meet the amazing Kuna culture.

From the terrace of your cabin lying in your hammock you will be able to appreciate these gifts from nature.

Activities

Kuna Culture Tours Eco-tourism

You will be able to know different Kuna communities like Playón Chico, Malatupu, Ustupu and Ogobsucun. In these communities you will find the Kuna culture in all its splendor. You will be able to observe traditional dances, hear to traditional songs and purchase Kuna handicraft. You will taste the whole range of Kuna food. This way you will meet the biggest treasure of Kuna Yala, its people and traditions.

You will also be able to go deep into a natural paradise of Kuna Yala, its virgin rainforest. You will find everywhere clean and clear water, natural waterfalls and flora and fauna that are endangered species in other parts of Panama. You will find the nature Kunas have been living in since immemorial generations.

Beaches and Islands in the Caribbean

You will never forget the long beaches of white and soft sand on the mainland. You won’t neither be able to forget each one of the islands full of palm trees and surrounded by pristine water. With its 370 km of coast line and 365 islands the San Blas archipelago constitutes a monument of nature. This is the ideal place if you want to experience the Caribbean in the way you always dreamed of.

Fishing, Snorkeling and Diving

If you would like to fish, snorkel or dive you can do it here. Fishing is possible in two different ways: the traditional way on a Kuna Kayak or trolling on the high seas. If you decide to go the traditional way you could catch a sergeant fish, choosing the trolling you could even pull out a tuna fish.

If you want to experience maritime life in Kuna Yala you could chose snorkeling or diving. The reef banks of Kuna Yala offer the ideal place for these activities. The coral reefs of San Blas are full of maritime fauna and flora that hasn’t been invaded by species of other oceans, maintaining this way its original beauty.

Kuna Food

In Kuna Yala you will enjoy fresh form the sea lobster, shellfish and fish. Coconut water is a very important ingredient of the Kuna cuisine. As a side dish you can order plantain, yuca, rice and kidney beans. For those who don’t eat seafood chicken and beef is available.

Kuna cooks are recognized for their culinary abilities. Kunas acquired knowledge about the occidental cuisine and united this knowledge to their traditional cooking.

Kunas discovered the occidental cuisine after the Tule Revolution. The United States government allowed Kunas to work in the Panama Canal Zone. This was forbidden for other Panamanians. Kunas worked in the zone as cooks, among other jobs. Even today the kitchens of many restaurants in Panama City trust the cooking abilities of Kunas.

Another interesting fact about the Kunas is that they don’t suffer hypertension as long as they live in Kuna Yala. When they live in Panama City this effects somehow disappear. Medical researches have concluded that this is due to the big amount of cacao Kunas consume in their diet.

Beautiful and Comfortable Cabins

Akwadup Lodge offers large cabins with all the comfort you are used to together with a great Caribbean atmosphere.

You will have 24 hour electricity, running water, private bathroom, fan, a terrace with a stunning Caribbean Sea view besides you will have a hammock on which you can lay down and enjoy the sea in the privacy of your terrace.

All the furniture is new and of the best quality. You won’t complain!

Rates Include: Breakfast, lunch (appetizer, entree, dessert), dinner, 2 tours per day, taxes air  and district, airport transfer to hotel and vice versa.

Does not apply to children under 14 years

Flights:

The flights departs Panama City daily at 6:00 am
 – Arrives at Achutupu at 6:45 a.m.

Panama Travel Group is the authorized agent of Air Panama/ Aeroperlas and can coordinate your flight.

Reserve this hotel: info@panamatravelgroup.com

+507-399-9830 (Panama)   |    1-786-539-4731 (USA)