Guna Yala is an indigenous comarca in Panama, inhabited by the Guna ethnic group. Formerly the comarca was called San Blas until 1998 and as Guna Yala since 2010. Its capital is El Porvenir. It is bordered to the north by the Caribbean Sea, to the south by the province of Darien and the province of Panama, to the east by Colombia and to the west by the province of Colon.
Meaning of Guna Yala
Guna Yala in the Guna language means “Guna Land” or “Guna Mountain”. The area was formally known as San Blas, along with the indigenous name of Kuna Yala, but was changed in October 2011 when the Government of Panama recognized the Guna people's claim that the letter “K” did not exist in their native language and that the official name should be Guna Yala.
Islands and Culture
With 365 islands, Guna Yala is a unique destination for tourism in Panama. The indigenous Guna people are famous for their molas, a traditional textile art. The mola is a panel sewn with complex, multi-layered designs using the reverse appliqué technique. In the Guna language (dulegaya), mola means “garment” or “blouse”. The complete dress includes a skirt (saburet), a red and yellow head scarf (musue), arm and leg bracelets (wini), a gold nose ring (olasu) and earrings (dulemor).
Molas originated from the tradition of painting bodies with geometric designs and then transferring them to fabric. Today, in addition to geometric designs, realistic and abstract representations of flowers, animals, birds, and the sea are created. The oldest molas are between 150 and 170 years old.
Tourism and Activities in San Blas
Established in 1938 as an autonomous indigenous territory, the Guna Yala region offers paradisiacal islands, primary forests and a unique culture, ideal for those seeking an authentic tourism away from the traditional circuits. Renting a sailboat is a different way to discover the archipelago and enjoy its crystalline beaches.
How to get to San Blas – Guna Yala
To get to San Blas, visitors can take transportation from Panama City, usually by car to the port in Cartí and then by boat to the islands. Another option is to hire tour packages that include land and sea transportation, facilitating the arrival without complications.
Tour packages and sailing experience
We offer sailing packages to explore San Blas and Guna Yala, designed to enjoy each island, snorkeling and the Guna culture. With over 20 years of experience, we guarantee a safe, comfortable and personalized experience for those who wish to discover this paradise in the Panamanian Caribbean.
