The San Blas archipelago is one of Panama's most incredible tourist destinations. Governed by a remarkable indigenous group known as the Kuna, who gained their independence in 1925, the San Blas province is a country within a country, with its own laws, legislature and customs. The extensive archipelago has about 50 communities and the Kuna population numbers about 50,000 people.

The area is easily accessed by light aircraft and virtually all of the communities have an airstrip on the island or nearby mainland. The area can also be accessed by road to Cartí and then water taxi to whatever islands the visitor wishes to see. Several communities have comfortable accommodations for tourists.

The Kuna are very hospital hosts, preparing elegant meals of fresh seafood caught in the reefs and giving informative tours to explain their culture, history and traditions. Kuna communities are very clean and well-kept, with thatch houses, a health clinic, school and community hall where townspeople meet daily to discuss any problems in the communities.

Because Kuna law forbids the taking of anything from the surrounding ocean that can not be obtained with just the air in a diver's own lungs, the coral is very healthy and mostly undisturbed. Kuna men ply the ocean in dugout canoes equipped with makeshift sails, fishing or heading to the mainland to tend their farms, where they grow corn, rice, plantains and the all-important coconut, an important export item. The communities also export fresh lobster and octopus to Panama City. Kuna men will be happy to show visitors their farms or take them out fishing. Hotels also provide snorkeling gear, but visitors would be wise to take their own fins. Although diving is prohibited in San Blas, snorkelers will pass many magical hours exploring this amazing reef.