Eastern Panama Hotels

Most accommodations in this part of Panama range from comfortably rustic to downright primitive. Only Kuna are allowed to own businesses in Kuna Yala; a waga (foreigner) is prohibited from holding property here. Lodges are pretty basic as a result—most have no hot water, no air-conditioning, and only a few hours of electricity at night—but some of those thatched bungalows have priceless ocean views. There are a few nice Kuna lodges, but the less expensive ones tend to be dirty and serve lamentable food, which is why few are listed in this book. Only three Kuna lodges accept credit cards, and since most lack offices, the owners may meet guests at Albrook Airport the morning they fly to Kuna Yala to collect payment. The alternative is to visit Kuna Yala on a day trip and sleep at Coral Lodge, 26 km (16 mi) away, which has most of the comforts of home. The lodging situation in the Darién ranges from refurbished Emberá huts to the spacious, air-conditioned rooms at Tropic Star. One characteristic all lodges in this region share is that they are quite expensive for what you get— but rooms come with three meals, guided tours, and transportation, and you can't put a price on an unforgettable adventure. Rates usually drop by 10% for stays of two nights or more. All lodgings in Kuna Yala collect a mandatory per-person, per-night visitor tax of $10—it may or may not be included in the price you're quoted—with proceeds going to community development.