The Dolphin Lodge San Blas Islands, Panama

Dolphin Island Lodge is located on Uaguitupo Island,energy through the night. The island not being
a private Island directly across from thevery large is almost all given over to the resort,
indigenous Kuna island community of Achutupo.apart from a few staff huts.
Known locally as the Uaguinega Ecoresort, theIt is all very attractive with a mix of palm trees,
name derives from the Kuna language, wheregrass, and the cabins, which are right on the edge
Uagui means dolphin and Nega means house.of the sea. In fact the sea is so close you almost
Together, therefore, it means "The House of thefeel it!! You can sit on the deck in a hammock and
Dolphin." During certain times of the year you cantotally relax to the sounds of the sea.
catch a sight of dolphins, and with some you luckEach hut is equipped with a proper flushing toilet,
you might be able to admire them.and a semi open air shower area, but it is cold
It is a 45 minute flight from Panama City toonly as there no hot water here. Cold showers
Achutupu airport, which is hardly Heathrow, withdon't seem so bad with a hot sun. You won't find
only a tiny landing strip with a wooden hut!!any air conditioning either although there is
You are them met by by your Kuna guide, whoelectricity for lighting,so keeping the doors open at
will take you on a short trip in a motorised dugoutnight is a 'must do' but if there is no breeze, then
canoe to the lodge itself. If you don't like smallit could become unbearable.
boats, and don't fancy the idea of a dugout, thisThere is also an open air dining area right next to
trip is all of three minutes!!!the sea, where all the delicious meals are taken.
It doesn't take long to feel you are miles awayThere is tons of fresh fruit, and all the gorgeous
from civilisation.seafood is freshly caught, in fact you can see the
When you hear the words eco resort, it may beKuna fishermen arriving with their daily catch.
a put off, because our only previous experienceThere is a small shop run by local Kuna women,
had involved worms, and I won't tell you whatwhere you can buy local handicrafts, and if you
they did, but if you go prepared mentally thencannot bear to be completely separated from
what you will find is a Robinson Cruso castawayyour emails, then there are internet facilities.
style, quite basic but very comfortable, vacation.Other things you might wish to do is to visit a
Check out photographs atlarger Kuna village a three minute boat ride away,
The Lodge has 11 cabins, which are pretty basic,or visit a nearby deserted island with a beautiful
and have electricity from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.white sand beach.
after which an emergency lamp is provided.The whole thing is almost like a scene from South
The 3 junior suites are a great deal morepacific except it is in the Caribbean, but it is like
comfortable and more suited for those of us whoturning back the clock to a time where ultra
have outgrown our enthusiastic eco-warrior youth,modern full facility hotels were still a nightmare,
and now like some home comforts!! They aresorry a dream!!
equipped with solar panels to provide electricalGo see it now and experience it whilst you can.