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Yandup Island Lodge
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Yandup Island Lodge
JeannieSmallTown
Legal, Canada

Fantasy Island and taking in the local Cultural - Favorite Memories

Review of Yandup Island Lodge
5.0 of 5 bubblesReviewed May 11, 2023
When asked where in the world I loved the most, I have to pick Yandup Island. It was the Fantasy Island Experience. The snorkel, the Hammocks, the meals offered from the catch of the sea; everything was so different from my life and the North American rat race and grocery stores. I thoroughly embraced learning about the people of the area and watching the way of life of the local community. There are no roads into this community. You must come by sea or air. Loved to see the cultural shift with the young school aged kids and their elders too. This experience sits vividly in my memories and the memories of my teen kids. I feel so privileged to be able to have shared this experience with my family. We will never forget it. The crab under the bed was just the icing on the cake of memories. I will forever be the most relaxed in a hammock thanks to Yandup. LOVED LOVED LOVED. but if you are picky eaters and demanding of items that can not be sourced locally and not opening to experiencing new things, this is not for you. My family was there in March 2018
Date of stay: June 2022
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
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    2 - 7 of 484 reviews
    Reviewed December 29, 2019 via mobile
    Great experience

    My wife and I along with some friends travelled here for a few days. It was great however come prepared for a remote experience. That is no cellphone no wifi no television no hot water and sometimes limited electricity however it was perfect. The service is great the food is terrific and the tours are very interesting. The only drawback is getting there. You have to fly from Panama City in a small plane both ways. If you can book far enough in advance you can go with Air Panama but if not you will need a private charter which can be unreliable.

    Date of stay: December 2019
    Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Reviewed November 20, 2019
    A taste of paradise

    If you need AC, or internet access, if you need a wine list or lunch/dinner menus, if you need a supermarket or mall within 20 miles radius, then this lodge and island is not for you.
    If you want to unplug, to enjoy beautiful little islands and beaches, to enjoy fresh fish daily and a simple life surrounded by friendly local people like Tomas, then you should come here!
    We stayed 5 nights - most other tourists only two nights which we think might not be enough to unplug and have the opportunity to explore all Yandup Island lodge has to offer if you want to be active or just relax.

    Room tip: The over the water villas !
    Date of stay: October 2019
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    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Reviewed November 17, 2019
    Just loved it!!

    I really wanted to go to the San Blas Islands and I only had 2 days, David made everything possible so I could get there, he got me a private plane that I shared with other 2 guest, and we arrived in Playon Chico where they were waiting for us to take us to the Lodge, is a very quiet place, with really good and fresh food, the staff is so nice, we went to Playon Chico to visit the Kunas, and buy many Molas is the best place to do it!! the next day we went to a private island and then back to see the Kunas the guide explained how is their life and I have a new apreciación for them,. the palapas are simple but very nice, the windows are open so you get a breeze. there are gekos who will visit your room but is part of the experience. swinging in the hamoc is the best feeling ever!!

    Date of stay: November 2019
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    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Reviewed September 9, 2019
    Family visit to Paradise

    I visited Yandup with my son and daughter. We really didn't know what to expect, but we had the most amazing time, that they cannot stop talking about the experience, and want to go back next summer.
    Tomas was amazing - his knowledge of the Kuna people and the local history was so in depth. My kids loved fishing with him and enjoyed the fresh cocnuts. They were fascinated by the simple living with no air conditioning, thatched roofs and open windows. However, with a nice breeze in the evening, lightening storm on the horizon and bioluminescent plankton - how could this not be paradise
    My children are not used to eating sea food, but I was happy to see them try a variety of fish, and crab and even one tried the delicious octopus. My son was confused why the pinapple tasted so different from home (his first introduction to fresh pinapple).
    Don't go it you are looking for an air conditioned chain hotel - this is a true immersion into the life of the Kuna, and I wouldn't change a thing (except book for more than two nights next time)
    We hope to be back soon (mom and kids - 9 and10)

    Date of stay: August 2019
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    Reviewed August 9, 2019
    Pay up for a hut!

    What a disappointment Yandup turned out to be. I had told my family that we would be staying in a little hut with a metal beds, no running water, and a bucket or a hole in the ground for a toilet.
    The plan was to live off snails and seaweed and bathe in the ocean with human devouring sharks.

    The bad news

    Well the huts turned out to be 20 feet across.
    They had solar powered electricity that supported lights and low-demand usage such as computers.
    The beds were way too comfortable.
    My face dropped when I saw a proper toilet with running water and a shower.
    They have an eating area set over the water where you can watch wildlife.
    They catch fish around the island and cook it for you.
    They take you to lovely beaches and coral reefs and stuff.

    The good news

    A shark actually did turn up while we were eating dinner. Unfortunately it was only a nurse shark and it did not want to eat my children.
    The food is mostly fish and low-fibre so you won't be using those toilets so much after all.

    Can you keep a secret?

    We had the best time ever on Yandup Island.
    The irony is not lost on me that you pay more for a hut than for a luxury hotel room.
    That's because paradise is few and far between.

    Date of stay: March 2019
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