Eastern Panama Places

Playón Chico

This community of about 3,000 people lies just offshore, with a wooden footbridge connecting it to the mainland, where the town's schools and landing strip are located. Most homes in Playón Chico are traditional thatched buildings, with small gardens shaded by breadfruit, mango, or citrus trees. There are a few cement structures scattered around the island, and the obligatory basketball court near the bridge. It was an important area in the 1925 revolution that led to Kuna autonomy, since it held one of the Panama military outposts that were captured by Kuna warriors.

The lowlands around the landing strip hold the farms of local families, but a nearby hill is topped with the burial ground that resembles a small village. The Kuna bury family members together under thatched shelters complete with the tools and utensils that their spirits require to survive. Forested mountains stand beyond the farmland with trails leading to a waterfall. Insect repellent is essential on the mainland due to sand fleas. There are various uninhabited islands in the area that local lodges take guests to, but they aren't as nice as the cays on the archipelago's western end.