Travel to Achutupu

Achutupu is an Island at the Archipielago of San Blas in Kuna Yala.  The island is home to a dense population of Kuna people: one of the most densely populated in the San Blas archipelago.  It is a popular gateway to the rest of San Blas, though there is no place for tourists to stay the night.

Walking around Achutupu can be an interesting experience. All the women are dressed in Kuna's traditional costume. Children in varying states of undress play in the streets and on the beaches. Many families own pigs.

Despite obvious overcrowding, islanders reserve space for a basketball court which, with the nearby stores, is the hub of local life. There is also a Gathering House, where the community governs its affairs. The Chicha House is the other important public building and is where islanders celebrate the coming-of-age of their girls.

(Note: Don't confuse this with the small island also known as the Isla Perros, an island of the same name much farther west.)

What to do in Achutupu

• Spend a day observing traditional Kuna village life
• Hire a boat to take you to one of the many surrounding islands
• Ask about the large community gathering house in the center of the island: many important Kuna events take place here.