San Blas Islands, Panama

© bgremler/Shutterstoc

San Blas Islands, Panama

Nestled off the northern coast of Panama, the San Blas Islands create a captivating archipelago composed of more than 360 islands in the Caribbean Sea near Panama. These islands are known for their clean, calm waters, making them a perfect place for adventure sports such as snorkelling, surfing and diving. The coral reefs, including staghorn and pillar coral, surround the islands and are a marvel of rich marine biodiversity. Inhabited primarily by Gunas — people indigenous to Guna Yala — these islands offer a unique experience in all their beauty. The Gunas preserve their long-established way of living with traditional but vibrant clothing, thatched-roof huts known as bohíos and handcrafted mola textiles, an intricate, patterned fabrics.