Yandup Island Lodge

We spent 3 nights on the island, which is the minimum time needed to soak up the island feeling and to be able to take part in the tours included with the stay. |We did 3 morning snorkeling/beach trips to nearby islands (max. 20 min boat ride). Although there are not too many fish, the reefs have decent coral growth and offer plenty of things to see. |The afternoon trips take you either to the close by Kuna settling (we were shown handicrafts, but did not feel any more pressure as in any other tourist place), or to the local cemetery or a mangrove area. |All trips are guided by local guides (in our case Domi and Tomas), who take pride in what they do and make each trip memorable. |The staff on the island is also excellent, the huts are clean and spacious. The food is adequate for a tiny island. |Check out the water outside the huts for phytoplankton for an amazing sparkle in the night. |The snorkel equipment provided is decent and works well. |We we're lucky to connect with the remaining guests (only 6 other guests on the island with us), so the evenings were filled with exchanging travel and other stories, games and laughter. Great company!

When asked where in the world I loved the most, I have to pick Yandup Island. It was the Fantasy Island Experience. The snorkel, the Hammocks, the meals offered from the catch of the sea; everything was so different from my life and the North American rat race and grocery stores. I thoroughly embraced learning about the people of the area and watching the way of life of the local community. There are no roads into this community. You must come by sea or air. Loved to see the cultural shift with the young school aged kids and their elders too. This experience sits vividly in my memories and the memories of my teen kids. I feel so privileged to be able to have shared this experience with my family. We will never forget it. The crab under the bed was just the icing on the cake of memories. I will forever be the most relaxed in a hammock thanks to Yandup. LOVED LOVED LOVED. but if you are picky eaters and demanding of items that can not be sourced locally and not opening to experiencing new things, this is not for you. My family was there in March 2018

My wife and I visited Yandup island for our honeymoon a week ago. For us it was a little taste of paradise - since leaving we have missed the island at various points and longed to be back.||||The moment we stepped foot onto Yandup, we felt the amazing peace of the place - the only sounds were gentle waves, a light breeze and bird calls as we walked along the grass, through the coconut trees to arrive at our lodging. ||||The island is incredibly beautiful - crystal clear water, filled with coral and fishes. Nearby virgin Islands that can be reached by kayak. Native fisherman in the distant waters in their beautifully crafted canoes. We also found the food to be delicious - incredibly fresh seafood, and well prepared ||||We found the rooms to be comfortable and very well suited to the surrounding environment (great situational aesthetics). The staff were really friendly and helpful, and the management were incredibly helpful and did everything possible to make it a great stay for us||||My wife and I found the flights there expensive, so we went by car and boat and took a plane on the way back (the return route is cheaper). You could ask the management about this option - staying in Carti overnight and leaving by boat is a much cheaper option than flying, but only for the adventurous and those who enjoy experiencing indigenous culture. Both the car and boat trip were a bit intense, but the peace of the island washed away all the stress of the trip! The plane trip on the way back was a lot of fun, and only 40 minutes ||||If you want a luxury 5 star hotel, this isn't the place for you and you shouldn't come here. But if you're looking for an incredibly relaxing getaway from the pressures of life to enjoy an earthly paradise, resting and enjoying good food, snorkeling, kayaking etc with people you love, I don't know of any other place in the americas as wonderful asYandup island

I visited Yandup with my son and daughter. We really didn't know what to expect, but we had the most amazing time, that they cannot stop talking about the experience, and want to go back next summer.||Tomas was amazing - his knowledge of the Kuna people and the local history was so in depth. My kids loved fishing with him and enjoyed the fresh cocnuts. They were fascinated by the simple living with no air conditioning, thatched roofs and open windows. However, with a nice breeze in the evening, lightening storm on the horizon and bioluminescent plankton - how could this not be paradise||My children are not used to eating sea food, but I was happy to see them try a variety of fish, and crab and even one tried the delicious octopus. My son was confused why the pinapple tasted so different from home (his first introduction to fresh pinapple).||Don't go it you are looking for an air conditioned chain hotel - this is a true immersion into the life of the Kuna, and I wouldn't change a thing (except book for more than two nights next time)||We hope to be back soon (mom and kids - 9 and10)

The Gunayala people revere their independence, cultural traditions, and concern for the Earth. Yes, Yandup Lodge offers a thatched hut with a good bed, bathroom, electricity and excellent catch-of-the-day cuisine, and morning snorkeling. But the essence comes from afternoon cultural visits to community, mangroves, or cemetery, with insight into these proud tribal traditions. Being away from internet, TV and traffic, reading in the hammock, feeling the pulse of the waves, seeing plankton sparking the night’s water under brilliant stars, watching locals in dugouts working a daily catch of fish, recognizing the artistry of the reverse-embroidered “mola” panels of women’s dress — this is the essence of a stay at Yandup. This is not for the entitled who seek cookie-cutter luxury, first-world amenities and trash and flotsam hidden away. This is for those who wish to experience the coral islands and indigenous communities before rising oceans swallow them. It’s a spiritual journey. My 6th visit. It’s a pilgrimage. I hope I do Yandup justice to describe it.

I really wanted to go to the San Blas Islands and I only had 2 days, David made everything possible so I could get there, he got me a private plane that I shared with other 2 guest, and we arrived in Playon Chico where they were waiting for us to take us to the Lodge, is a very quiet place, with really good and fresh food, the staff is so nice, we went to Playon Chico to visit the Kunas, and buy many Molas is the best place to do it!! the next day we went to a private island and then back to see the Kunas the guide explained how is their life and I have a new apreciación for them,. the palapas are simple but very nice, the windows are open so you get a breeze. there are gekos who will visit your room but is part of the experience. swinging in the hamoc is the best feeling ever!!

My wife and I along with some friends travelled here for a few days. It was great however come prepared for a remote experience. That is no cellphone no wifi no television no hot water and sometimes limited electricity however it was perfect. The service is great the food is terrific and the tours are very interesting. The only drawback is getting there. You have to fly from Panama City in a small plane both ways. If you can book far enough in advance you can go with Air Panama but if not you will need a private charter which can be unreliable.

If you need AC, or internet access, if you need a wine list or lunch/dinner menus, if you need a supermarket or mall within 20 miles radius, then this lodge and island is not for you.||If you want to unplug, to enjoy beautiful little islands and beaches, to enjoy fresh fish daily and a simple life surrounded by friendly local people like Tomas, then you should come here! ||We stayed 5 nights - most other tourists only two nights which we think might not be enough to unplug and have the opportunity to explore all Yandup Island lodge has to offer if you want to be active or just relax.