The Dolphin Lodge San Blas Islands, Panama

The Dolphin Lodge San Blas Islands, Panama

Dolphin Island Lodge is located on Uaguitupo Island, a private Island directly across from the indigenous Kuna island community of Achutupo. Known locally as the Uaguinega Ecoresort, the name derives from the Kuna language, where Uagui means dolphin and Nega means house. Together, therefore, it means "The House of the Dolphin." During certain times of the year you can catch a sight of dolphins, and with some you luck you might be able to admire them.

It is a 45 minute flight from Panama City to Achutupu airport, which is hardly Heathrow, with only a tiny landing strip with a wooden hut!!

You are them met by by your Kuna guide, who will take you on a short trip in a motorised dugout canoe to the lodge itself. If you don't like small boats, and don't fancy the idea of a dugout, this trip is all of three minutes!!!

It doesn't take long to feel you are miles away from civilisation.

When you hear the words eco resort, it may be a put off, because our only previous experience had involved worms, and I won't tell you what they did, but if you go prepared mentally then what you will find is a Robinson Cruso castaway style, quite basic but very comfortable, vacation.

The Lodge has 11 cabins, which are pretty basic, and have electricity from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. after which an emergency lamp is provided.

The 3 junior suites are a great deal more comfortable and more suited for those of us who have outgrown our enthusiastic eco-warrior youth, and now like some home comforts!! They are equipped with solar panels to provide electrical energy through the night. The island not being very large is almost all given over to the resort, apart from a few staff huts.

It is all very attractive with a mix of palm trees, grass, and the cabins, which are right on the edge of the sea. In fact the sea is so close you almost feel it!! You can sit on the deck in a hammock and totally relax to the sounds of the sea.

Each hut is equipped with a proper flushing toilet, and a semi open air shower area, but it is cold only as there no hot water here. Cold showers don't seem so bad with a hot sun. You won't find any air conditioning either although there is electricity for lighting,so keeping the doors open at night is a 'must do' but if there is no breeze, then it could become unbearable.

There is also an open air dining area right next to the sea, where all the delicious meals are taken. There is tons of fresh fruit, and all the gorgeous seafood is freshly caught, in fact you can see the Kuna fishermen arriving with their daily catch.

There is a small shop run by local Kuna women, where you can buy local handicrafts, and if you cannot bear to be completely separated from your emails, then there are internet facilities.

Other things you might wish to do is to visit a larger Kuna village a three minute boat ride away, or visit a nearby deserted island with a beautiful white sand beach.

The whole thing is almost like a scene from South pacific except it is in the Caribbean, but it is like turning back the clock to a time where ultra modern full facility hotels were still a nightmare, sorry a dream!!

Visit The Islands On These Vacations

Visit The Islands On These Vacations

by Mary Wise

Going on vacations has to be a pleasurable experience. If you go on vacations and the whole process of traveling, setting up and spending your time turns out stressing, the whole idea of resting that vacations imply will be lost.

Visiting one of the famous islands that are specially prepared to provide tourist with what they want can really be the solution to avoid getting stressed. You just need to purchase a package and the agency and affiliates will take care of all the rest. There are also all inclusive packages where you won't even need to take care of food, transportation, or anything at all. Probably the only thing that will be expected of you is a good tip if you feel that the service provided is up to the standards they claim to provide.

The Quietness That Islands Offer

The isolation implied gives away quietness beyond comparison. You may be close to home but you know that there is a sea separating you from continental land and that provides a sense of tranquility. Besides, everything goes slower and more peacefully at the islands. There are neither hurries nor people hasting you. At the islands you feel that the day expands to new broadness.

But by no means this represents boredom; within the islands you'll find entertainment of all kinds. The difference is that you won't be rushed, and thus, you'll be able to balance entertainment and relaxation to get back home feeling like a new man or woman. If you are seeking quietness and recreation, taking your vacations on a tropical island is the smart way to go. There's no doubt about it.

Close to Home or Far Away

There are many alternatives to choose from. There are islands that are close to home like Hawaii and Bermudas. These islands are perfect for having a good time knowing that you won't have problems with the language or currency and that you will be able to communicate with the continent and get back home right away if anything rises.

There are however alternatives that are not that close but offer more exotic and far away paradises. You can visit Australia or New Zealand Islands or Those fantastic Greek Mediterranean Islands with so many things to see. The choice is yours, islands far away from home help you relax a lot more as you get disconnected from home without watching the news and reading newspapers. Everything is resting and peace.

Costs Of Vacations and Financing Options

Depending on your choice, vacations on some islands can be a bit expensive, but there is no reason for you to deny yourself this time off due to lack of funds. There are many financing options available. Even if you don't have a credit card with enough balance to pay for one of these packages, there are many online lenders offering unsecured loans you can use for any purpose including going on vacations. And if you are less conservative, you can resort to a small home equity loan which will end up being a lot cheaper with monthly payments so low that you won't even notice.