Yandup is a paradise island surrounded by coral reefs. It has a little beach with calm and crystal clear water and miles of sand within walking distance.

Yandup belongs to the small Archipelago of San Blas, where you can even go swimming from one island to the other, crossing channels of various depths.

The island is located approximately in the center of the Kuna Yala Reserve. A thousand meters from the Ukupseni or Playón Chico community and 1.300 meters from the tropical forest and the airport.

The region of Kuna Yala is a protected area, which preserves large intact zones thanks to the Kuna people and their culture. The Kuna culture has through thousands of years developed in intimate relationship with nature and is thoroughly integrated in the ecological balance of the region.

The Kunas have kept many of their traditional costumes, which are of interest to visitors. Not only is the culture renowned all over America for their organizational level, but also for the way of life and for the historical costumes and traditions. The Kunas take pride in their culture.

The stunning scenes, the amazing tropical biodiversity of the flora and fauna, the biophysical character and cultural richness makes the Yandup Kuna region an ideal place for observation, relaxation and joy.

Yandup offers many activities for visitors such as snorkeling, bird watching, hiking in the forest, while getting to know the Kuna culture. Enjoy the beach, the sun and all the activities offered in this unique paradise-like place. Welcome!

Cabins and Facilities:

All cabins in Yandup are built with local materials by the Kuna Indians of the community of Playon Chico.

They have been built in octagonal shape symbolizing the Kuna culture passages. All cabins have wooden floors, windows, cupboards, bedside tables, ceiling fans, electric light, double and single beds with mosquito nets.

In addition to a terrace facing the sea where you can rest in a hammock.

The bathrooms are covered with tiles, have a shower, sink and service.

• 5 spacious cabins on the beach with private bath
• 2 large oceanfront cabins with private bath
• 1 small oceanfront cottage with shared bathrooms
• 2 full bathrooms shared for guests with coated tiles
• A large dining room on the beach with a beautiful view

Includes:

• Lodging
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner (depends on the catch of the day, lobster additional cost)
• Bottled water with meals
• Guided tours – uninhabited islands with beaches, mangroves, tropical forest walks, cemetery, traditional Kuna community, river, waterfall. The tours are subject to climatic and physical conditions of the guests.
• Airport Transfers Playon Chico – Yandup Island Lodge

On the island you can buy local beer, red and white wine, soda, bottled water, rum and whiskey. Full snorkel gear can be rented for $ 7.00.

Getting to Yandup (Playon Chico)

Daily flights depart from Panama City to Playon Chico. There are two airlines in Panama, Aeroperlas and Air Panama. Panama Travel Group is an authorized agent of both airlines.

The flights depart from Albrook airport is which is very close to the city, the aircraft leaves at 6:00 am and you must be at the airport at 5:00 a.m. These carriers will accept up to 25 pounds of luggage, over that you have to pay additional surcharge.

CANCELLATION POLICY

• Any cancellation made 7 days or less prior to travel will be charged 100%
• Any cancellation made between 8 and 15 days before travel will be charged 50%.
• From 15 to 30 days before the travel date must be reduced by 25%.
• 30 days or more before the trip date will be deducted 15%.

Attractions

Beaches

One of the attractions of the archipelago of Kuna Yala is the uninhabited islands, covered by an exuberant vegetation and coconut plantations, with beautiful small beaches with fine, white sand. The islands are surrounded by pure crystal clear water and with colors that vary from emerald to turquoise and to all blue stains. Ideal for a sunny day with beaches surrounded by virgin nature.

Fishing

We invite you to practice fishing with fishing rod or net from the wharf or from a rowing boat or motor boat. At nighttime you can also catch shrimp around the island, at places known by locals from the community to be rich on this specie. Fishing is one of the principle subsistence activities for the Kunas, and is an important source of protein. The traditional way of fishing is craftmanlike, preferable with net or fishing line, sometimes organized in groups for trap or net fishing in order to net bigger species.

Among the great variety of fish we find the sea bream, horse mackerel, the fish “yellow tail” and the bass.

Waterfall Tours

How about a refreshing swim by a water fall after a 45 minutes hike in the dense tropical forest? Here you can observe a varied vegetation, including some agro-foresty farms.

Sailing and Rowing

A different experience are rowing and sailing trips. The community experts will guide and teach you some of their techniques.

Snorkel

The reefs of the archipelago of Kuna Yala are considered as some of the best spots  in all Central America, with more than 75 species of corals and hundreds of different fishes, shellfish and vertebrates. The marine life includes spectacular sponges, “peacock of the sea” and lots of tropical fishes. In addition, you can occasionally observe bigger animals such as turtles, devilfish and dolphins.

Yandup offers everything for snorkeling . Activities can be arranged for groups of  where the main objective is recreation, observation and studies of eco systems.

Ecological Tours

Visit the mangroves

Enjoy a pleasant promenade by the mangroves, on the islands or the coasts, known by the Kunas as home of the sardines. You can distinguish the red, black and white mangrove. The eco-system of the mangroves serves as a spawning area for many aquatic animals, as the larvae and other small species are reproduced here and protected by the roots.

These forests are the habitat for a immense variety of fishes of alimentary value, crayfish and “guabinas” (delicious fish from the river), and other wild animals such as the heron and the pelican. It also serves as a resting area for many migratory birds.

Hike in the rainforest

The major part of the area is covered by primary forests with an immense diversity of flora and fauna. Amongst the species that can be observed in the area are; arborescents (“rosa de monte”, alecost, medlar, “espavé”, mahogany, oak, “maría”, lignum vitae) and valuable plants (liane, the “jira” palm, “caña blanca”, annatto tree and many others), medicine plants etcetera.

Many of the species mentioned are utilized by the Kunas as forestry products for the construction of houses, boats, tools, artisan´s work and medicine. The very few alterations that the forest has faced makes it very attractive to ecologists and scientists, as well as for adventurers. There is also a huge amount of wild mammals, reptiles, insects and birds in the forest.

Bird Watching Tours

The marine birds can be observed from the island of Yandup, but for a greater diversity the visitor can get up in the early morning and observe the birds at daybreak from a boat in the river. “Tangaras”, hummingbirds, gull´s, woodpeckers, parrots, macaws, toucans, and pelicans are some of the species of birds that you can encounter.

Etnic Tours

Do you want to know something about the Kuna culture? Here we present some tour options that will allow you to experience some traditions, customs and rituals from this indigenous millennium culture

The “kammu burwi” dance

A dancing representation of everyday situations, imitations of certain animals or histories. It stems from the word “kammu” which is a sacred flute that evokes strength when accompanied by the dance. It resembles the movement of the wind. The music is generated with small flutes (kammu burwi) played by men and with maracas (nasis) played by women.

Handicrafts

A sale of handicraft is established in the community for the benefit of the locals. You can acquire such famous handicraft articles as the “molas” and other objects such as wicker baskets and figures made of mahogany, “balso”, “espavé”, “amarillo” and other materials.

Visit to the cemetery

The Ukupseni cemetery is situated on a crest near the coast. A visit with explanations about the significance of the death and the rituals surrounding the traditional funeral is complemented with the excellent panoramic view from the cemetery. From here you can see the small archipelago surrounding the community of Ukupseni and Yandup.

Visit to the community

Y
ou can observe the everyday life in the community and the architecture of the houses, constructed with local materials. But you can also go for a walk to see the congress house (Onmaket Nega) where the community members hold their daily meetings and sing traditional and religious song a
nd you can see the “Chicha” house (Inna Nega) where the traditional rites are performed to celebrate the “chicha” in honor of the children and the youth .

Reserve this hotel: info@panamatravelgroup.com

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