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San Blas Islands

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                                                                          The San Blas Islands of Panama

                                      

                   If you are adventure seekers who simply must have it all, the exploration of an ancient civilization    and culture and still able to return to the luxury of your world class yacht and accommodations, then you       have found your next vacation aboard Outnaboat.   If you long for adventure in the warm tropics where you      can choose among almost 400 deserted islands as your own to play "dead mans treasure" or simply frolic       on the deserted beach with your significant one while the world passes by anonymously, then Outnaboat is   your destination all year long.

Outnaboat is offering all-inclusive or captain only charters in the San Bls Islands.  Please have a look at what   awaits you and your party among the over 400 picture perfect tropical islands they call the San Blas Archipelago.

Panama is a country located on the narrowest and lowest part of the Isthmus of Panama that links North and    South America. It borders two countries, Costa Rica and Columbia, and is divided into nine provinces and three independent territories. One of these territories is the "Comarca de Kuna Yala", originally established under the name of "San Blas".

 The Comarca de Kuna Yala includes both a strip of Caribbean coastline (from the Colon Province almost to          the Colombian border) and the Archipelago de San Blas. (An archipelago is a group of many islands located in         a large body of water.)

                                                   

 "Kuna" is the name of an indigenous people of Panama and Colombia whose population is estimated at          about 53,000. Although sometimes also spelled "Cuna", the spelling "Kuna" is preferred. In the Kuna            language, the name is "Dule" or "Tule", meaning "people."

                  
 

             SAN BLAS  EXPEDITION

7 Days / 6 Nights
Situated along the beautiful Caribbean coast off Panama: the 400 islands of this archipelago are themselves real postcard scenery with white sand beaches, coconuts trees and turquoise waters. Sailors from around the world consider the San Blass archipelago one of their top three destinations in the world!
 
Day : 1 - Panama City – Corazón de Jesús:
A representative of Outnaboat will pick you up at your Panama hotel early in the morning and take you to the Albrook domestic airport. A 50 minutes flight will take you to Corazón de Jesús, one of the many islands in the San Blas Archipelago.

Captain Connor of Outnaboat will pick you up at the local airstrip and take you to the pier where Outnaboat and her crew are  waiting for you.

After a welcome cocktail + orientation onboard your home for the next four days - you will head out to explore the fantastic

Caribbean archipelago.

Overnight on Outnaboat, all meals and beverages included.

 

Day : 2 - Sailing San Blas:
Full days of sailing in and around the gorgeous San Blas archipelago.    Take this opportunity of sailing, snorkeling and just enjoying the extraordinary surroundings. You will also visit an Indian community of the Kuna tribe to learn about their culture and traditions.

Of the 400 islands, only a few are inhabited, and densely populated. The remaining islands are deserted. You will have the opportunity to experience both. The San Blas archipelago is more a mooring destination than a sailing one: yachts sail 1 to 3 hours average per day, making cruising the San Blas is a joy all year.

Some meals are  prepared with the catch of the day: fishes, lobsters and the famous San Blas giant crabs are extraordinary!

There are no roads  in the islands: preserving the San Blas from exploitation from  tourism., Most anchorages are deserted.  From fishing to kayaking thru snorkeling and visiting the Kuna Indians & traditional villages.

The best area to cruise is located between Rio Diablo (Corazon de Jesus) and Porvenir: unlike the rest of the San Blas most islands are located far from the main land offering crystal clear waters and unbelievable sea life. Tthe two great reefs of Chichime and Hollandes lay in the north of the selected sailing area: these are the most beautiful anchorages.

 

Day : 7 - Corazón de Jesús – Panama City:
As the Sun rises we set sail and head back to Corazón de Jesús in order to take your domestic flight back to Panama City. Upon arrival transfer to your Panama City hotel will be provided.

 

Included
  • Transfers to and from the ship
  • Transportation, shore excursions and the use of equipment
  • All meals and beverages onboard the ship
  • Taxes and port charges
  • Service charges
Not Included
  • International Airfare
  • Panama Tourist Card ($ 5.00; required for certain nationalities)
  • Lodging in Panama City
  • Personal Gear
  • Naturalist guides and crew gratuities

                                                                               MORE INFORMATION

 The majority of the Kuna live in the San Blas Archipelago, part of the Comarca de Kuna Yala. The Kuna have governed the Comarca ("autonomous territory") de Kuna Yala "Kuna-land" or "Kuna mountain" in the Kuna language) since the 1920's. Living across 49 communities (each run by their own chief), they maintain their          own economic system, language, customs and culture with their distinctive dress, music, dance and legends.     The Kuna are known for their decorative art, known as molas. The name of the Kuna language in Kuna is "Dulegaya", meaning "people's language".
 
 
The Kuna have a matriarchal society with the line of inheritance passing through the women.  Men move to their mother-in-law's house after marriage and apprentice with their father-in-law for several years. Divorce is uncommon and daughters are prized.
Within families, labor is divided along gender lines. Husbands gather coconuts, cultivate the food, provide firewood, make the clothing for themselves and their sons, weave baskets and carve tools and utensils. Wives prepare the food, build and repair the dwellings, collect fresh water from the mainland rivers (if they are on one of the many island without running water), unload the boats, sew female garments, wash the clothes and clean the house.
 The traditional dress of the women is spectacular. The gold nose rings, beaded arm and leg bands, sarongs and the colorful mola blouses are works of art. The Kuna men have adopted a clothing style more traditional to the men of the western world and appear rather drab in comparison.

 
                                                                                               
 
 
The Kuna have a custom for every event and happening in their life and these customs are passed on to their children through dances and chants. These events are also documented in their molas. Notably, Kuna politics are dominated by a congressconducted by the49 chiefs of the 49 Kuna communities and their interpreters. Chiefs derive their authority from their knowledge of the sacred chants and the interpreters derive theirs from their ability to interpret the chants for the people. And, participation in the "congresso" is for men only but women's (silent) presence is permitted.
 
 
Molas, farming, fishing, some hunting and tourism are a huge part of the Kuna economy.  (Notably, tourism
is limited to only a few of the islands and permission must be obtained from the chief of the community before any islands may be visited.) Coconut farming is the main cash crop and other crops are grown but mostly for their own consumption. Women, with their molas, are an important source of income and are credited for being the main reason health care and education are improving. 
 
  • In February local customs are on display, during the annual Tule Revolution festival, which marks Kuna independence with dancing, food and crafts.  Our Kuna guide will be sure to make you feel right at home  with the introductions and explanations of their customs.  It won't be long before you are becoming a Kuna Brother or Sister....  Just make sure you aren't left behind....