beach
San Blas Islands (Guna Yala)
An archipelago of 365 pristine islands governed by the indigenous Guna people, with crystal-clear waters and untouched palm-fringed islets.
12 km · about 20 min drive
Guna Yala, Panama · North America
Cartí Sugtupu is worth a stop: 15 minutes from El Porvenir, 12km from San Blas Islands (Guna Yala).
Cartí Sugtupu is a town located in Guna Yala, Panama. With a population of 1,050, it is an important destination in North America.
On a road trip, Cartí Sugtupu sits in Panama. It's in the America/Panama time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Cartí Sugtupu to your route.
Gardi Sugdub, also spelled Cartí Sugtupu, is an island in the San Blas Archipelago in the Panamanian comarca indígena of Guna Yala, 400m long and 150m wide. It is the southernmost and largest of four populated Carti Islands (the others are Cartí Tupile in the north, Carti Yandup in the west, and Carti Muladub in theRead more
east), and lies 1200m off the northern coast of mainland Panama. The island houses a small harbour and a museum, as well as a now-disused schoolhouse. Its indigenous inhabitants are Guna.
Discussions of relocation to a site on the mainland thanks to overpopulation on the island were first raised by Guna elders in 2008. The Panamanian government constructed the new village of Isber Yala between 2015 and 2024, construction being delayed due to funding issues, and following its completion in June 2024, 300 families moved from Gardi Sugdub into the new village.
Although nearby, the new settlement is forested rather than having the same relationship with the sea. Residents described the move with sadness as a major lifestyle change that leaves behind more than 200 years of culture.
The community has been described as the first in Panama to be displaced by climate change, with the government of Panama predicting that rising sea levels will result in the island as well as several other islands in the archipelago being completely underwater by 2050. Some within the community of Gardi Sugdub reject this characterization of the move, pointing out that the size of the island has increased over time thanks to land reclamation by its residents, and that the Guna people did not evacuate their homes even after the 1882 Panama earthquake resulting in waves of 3 metres, far exceeding any forecast sea level rise .
Cartí Sugtupu can be reached by boat from the nearby onshore settlement of Carti, near Isber Yala, which is connected to the main Panamanian road network. The other island groups of the San Blas archipelago, including El Porvenir, Cayos Limones, and Cayos Holandeses, can be reached by taxi boat.
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Cartí Sugtupu.
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Cartí Sugtupu.
Cartí Sugtupu offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
Plan your road trip to Cartí Sugtupu with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Cartí Sugtupu as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Cartí Sugtupu is located in Guna Yala, Panama, North America. The coordinates are 9.4706 latitude, -78.9612 longitude.
Cartí Sugtupu has a population of approximately 1,050 people, making it a town in Panama.
Add to your itinerary
Start planning your road trip with Cartí Sugtupu as a destination. Create a custom route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Start Road TripDiscover destinations like Tinder
Swipe through stunning destinations near Cartí Sugtupu. Save your favourites and add them to your trip.
1 notable place within an hour's drive.
beach
An archipelago of 365 pristine islands governed by the indigenous Guna people, with crystal-clear waters and untouched palm-fringed islets.
12 km · about 20 min drive
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
Other places to explore near Cartí Sugtupu.
Create your perfect itinerary with our calendar-based planner. Add stops, discover attractions along the way, and share your trip with friends.
Start Planning