Sapibenega is the first totally ecological Kuna Lodge. It is located on a private island close to the community of Playon Chico in San Blas, on the Caribbean side of Panama. In the kuna language, Sapibenega, means: Life. It is the essence, the beginning and the end of life.
Besides, it was called the "finest reatreat" in Kuna Yala by the Lonely Planet Panama Guide, and it has also been written about in several publications. This was the place where the CBS' Survivor winner was taken to relax.
Sapibenega's accommodations include :
- A social area,
- Two bar-restaurants,
- Thirteen Kuna Style cabins all with private bathrooms, wooden floor, composting toilets, fresh water and 24 hour electricity.
Paliwitur Sapibe, a native Kuna indian, is the creator and owner of this beautiful place. He, along with the lodge staff, work very hard everyday to make guests feel as though they were in their own home.
Cabins
We have thirteen cabins available, all equipped with private bathrooms, wooden floor, WC [composting toilets], fresh water, and 24 hour solar powered electricity.
Sapibenega offers you a great variety of all natural and cultural activities:
Cultural activities:
- A tour to the Kuna village of Playon Chico to know our way of living, organization system and handcrafting.
- Excursion to Uan (the Kuna Burial Ground) to experience part of Kuna rites and their customs.
- Trek along the mainland to Kolebir, a traditional Kuna village.
- For the presentation of the kuna's traditional dances we require a group of minimum 8 people.
Aquatic Sports:
- Excursion to Dupir, an uninhabited island for beaching and swimming.
- Excursion to Diadup, an uninhabited island for beaching and snorkelling.
- Excursion to Arridup (Iguana), a great uninhabited island for beaching, swimming and snorkelling.
- We also offer sailing, fishing, and canoeing.
Jungle Hiking:
Jungle trekking to Saibar Maid waterfall where you will have the opportunity of hearing and seeing flora and fauna while a native guide will explain to you all about the place.
Birdwatching at Diwar Dumad where you will experience tropical birds and plentiful vegetation. Optional walks through the forest to learn about the medicinal plants used traditionally by the Kuna.
Flights to Playon Chico, (a Kuna Village) where Sapibenega the Kuna Lodge is located, depart from Albrook Domestic Airport in Panama City at 6 am, a 40 minute direct flight daily.
We recommend you to book your reservations with Turismo Aereo (www.turismoaereo.com). For reservations: info@turismoaereo.com or call at these phone numbers:
- (507) 315-0439
- (507) 315-0279
- (507) 315-0278
Once you arrive to the Playon Chico airstrip, the Kuna Lodge guide will pick you up and transport you by motor board dugout canoe, a ride that last around 3 minutes to Sapibenega.
Things you should know
You should be at the Marcos Gelabert airport in Albrook at 5:00 in the morning, late arrivals will lose their air reservation. There will be no refund if you miss your plane.
At the check-in counter you will be asked to present your passport or your government ID.
On our visits to Playon Chico community, we suggest you use long trousers. Shorts are prohibited in the Congress house.
We have a cooperative tip system; please place all tips in the tip boxes, located in the dining room hall. This will be divided between all guides equally.
Program may change depending on weather. In order for our excursions to be environmentally friendly, the maximum number of guests per excursion will be 12 people.
Please, read the instructions carefully when using the composting toilets.
We recommend our visitors don't hand coins or candy to the community. Instead, please make a deposit in the tip box. All the money collected is destined for all the activities we make for the community kids.
Please do not take photographs directly to the people in the community. Instead, take pictures of the surroundings areas and landscape. If you wish, ask for the permission of the person that you want you photograph and give him $1.00 USD.
We are in an ecological environment; please keep the lamps we provide turned on at night to keep away bugs and other insects.
Every change to scheduled flights is the responsibility of the respective airlines.
The kuna law forbids the entrance of alcoholic beverages by the tourists.
If you wish an optional excursion, please ask for it before getting to Sapibenega.
Because of the small loading capability of the airplanes, we recommend you not exceed the limit of 20 pounds per person, including handbags.
The overweight will be charged to the passenger by the airline.
The terrace area has been designated as a smoking area. Please do not smoke in any other area of the lodge for safety reasons.
If you would like to make an excursion to the jungle, we suggest you to take:
- four t-shirts,
- tennis shoes,
- two long trousers,
- two shorts,
- bathing suit,
- sunblock,
- Off for mosquitos,
- a hat,
- a towel,
- jungle boots,
- two long shirts.
We suggest you inform your tour operator or travel agency if you are allergic to certain meals before going to Sapibenega.
Please note that all extra charges must be paid in cash at Sapibenega, no credit cards or travellers checks are accepted when you're at the lodge.
You are in an ecological lodge. We would apreciate your co-operation keeping it ecological. Please read all of the recomendations carefully, paying special attention to the instructions for use of the composting toilets.
The airplane that brings you to Sapibenega can make a couple of landings before arriving to Playon Chico. Please make sure that you are in Playon Chico community before getting off the plane.
Our hotel is not responsible for any accidents that may happen to our guests.
The guests are liable for any damages that they cause to the equipment or facilities of the hotel.
All prices are in US Dollars and subject to change until confirmation.
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