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Aerial view of a palm-covered island surrounded by turquoise and deep blue water.

Panama · Gunayala (San Blas Islands)

Guna communities and visiting rules

Gunayala is governed by its own congresses. Ask before taking photos, cover up away from the beach, and visit communities with a Guna guide.

3 places1 closed or restricted, flagged

  1. 1

    CultureOpen

    Gardi Sugdub

    About 1.5 km from the Cartí port.12.2 km from the centre

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    Island of about 400 by 150 m off Cartí. In June 2024 about 300 families moved to Isberyala on the mainland because of overcrowding and rising seas. About 100 residents remain, with a small community museum and the health centre.

    Source: Un año después del éxodo, la quietud invade Gardí Sugdub – La Prensa · 2025 · +3

    Practical details and sources
    Booking
    Rules and fees for visiting the island after the relocation: not confirmed by the official source at the time of review. Go with a Guna guide and ask the local authority for permission.

    Tip: It is a community, not a set. Do not walk the streets in swimwear. Ask before photographing anyone; the congress house and ceremonies are not photographed without permission.

    Nearby: Cartí ports (Niga Kantule, Barsuggun and Dibin) (2.6 km) · Isberyala (Nuevo Cartí) (3.8 km) · Sailboat or speedboat from Panama to Colombia via San Blas (9.9 km)

    Sources: Un año después del éxodo, la quietud invade Gardí Sugdub – La Prensa · Moving displaced from Gardí Sugdub to Isberyala is complete – Newsroom Panama · Gardi Sugdub – Wikipedia · Actividades no permitidas – Secretaría de Asuntos de Turismo

  2. 2

    CultureRestricted access

    Isberyala (Nuevo Cartí)

    By the road, a few minutes from the Cartí ports.16 km from the centre

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    Mainland development of 300 homes, opened in May 2024 by MIVIOT, Panama's housing ministry. From 3 to 6 June 2024, 1,351 people moved there from Gardi Sugdub; La Prensa put the figure at about 1,200 in 2025.

    It is a residential neighbourhood, not a tourist site, and no visitor programme was found. Only visit the community if a Guna guide or the community arranges it. To learn about the relocation, visit Gardi Sugdub with a guide.

    Source: Isber Yala: nuevo hogar para 300 familias guna – La Prensa · 2024 · +3

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: It is Panama's first planned relocation of a community because of climate change. The project cost US$12.2 million and covers 14 hectares.

    Nearby: Cartí ports (Niga Kantule, Barsuggun and Dibin) (1.4 km) · Gardi Sugdub (3.8 km) · Sailboat or speedboat from Panama to Colombia via San Blas (13.4 km)

    Sources: Isber Yala: nuevo hogar para 300 familias guna – La Prensa · Moving displaced from Gardí Sugdub to Isberyala is complete – Newsroom Panama · Un año después del éxodo – La Prensa · Isber Yala – Wikipedia

  3. 3

    CultureOpen

    Gaigirgordub (El Porvenir)

    Western Gulf of San Blas, about 15 minutes by boat from Isla Diablo.6.6 km from the centre

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    Administrative island with the main seat of the Guna General Congress and the El Porvenir airstrip. The community of Wichub Wala lies next to it.

    Source: Destinations – Air Panama · 2026 · +4

    Practical details and sources
    Booking
    Flights: Air Panama lists Gunayala only as a charter destination in 2026; a private information site mentions daily flights to El Porvenir. Scheduled flights: not confirmed by the official source at the time of review. In 2026 the Congress proposed rehabilitating airstrips such as Assudub and Muladub.

    Tip: It is a seat of government, not a resort. Do not photograph the congress house or ceremonies without express permission from local authorities.

    Nearby: Sailboat or speedboat from Panama to Colombia via San Blas (0.2 km) · Cayos Limones (Lemon Cays) (6.6 km) · Isla Diablo / Devil's Island (Niadub) (7.4 km)

    Sources: Destinations – Air Panama · Air Panama flights to San Blas – sanblas-islands.com · Boletín Gigga – Congreso General de Gunayala · Actividades no permitidas – Secretaría de Asuntos de Turismo · Isla Diablo in the Cayos Limones – sanblas-islands.com

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