The San Blas islands are part of the Archipelago de San Blas, located in the Northwest of Panama on the Caribbean side (https://sanblas-islands.com ).

The islands are inhabited and governed by Guna Yala (Kuna), people indigenous of Panama and Colombia. Guna rebelled against the Panamanian government in 1925 and were granted full sovereign status, thus their own constitution and government (http://www.bbc.com). 

Guna Yala is very protective of their culture and the islands they inhabit, strictly regulating tourism and flow of visitors. Visitors are only permitted on selected islands "playas" while Guna community prefers to live in isolations and is very reclusive to permit any kind of a photography.

Guna are probably one of very few indigenous cultures, who retained ancestral way of life, women in particular. Traditionally, Guna families are matrilinear, with the groom moving to become part of the bride's family as well as taking her name (1). 

In addition to climate change, Guna people face another issue, an ecological disaster, as there is no waste removal program and islands inhabited by locals are filled with rubbish.

Being very conscious about the environment and its protection, Guna are a containing plastic waste as much as they can, however, with every big wave rubbish washes it out into the open sea.

In contrast, islands designated for visitors "playas" are free of rubbish, it’s pristine white sand raked to perfection complementing the sparkly Azul Caribbean waves leisurely washing over …… blissful and seductive paradise.

Lens Magazine January 2019