Name: Cabañas Narasgandup (Naranjo Chico)
Address: Guna Yala, Rio Ridra, Isla Naranjo Chico, Mamartupo, Panama, San Blas Islands, San Blas Islands, San Blas Islands, Panama
Rating: 7

24-hour reception

Terrace

Private check-in/check-out

Patio

General

Breakfast

Breakfast in the room

Snack bar

Vending machine

Meals

Transfer services

Transfer

Spanish

English

Languages Spoken

Hiking

Fishing

Recreation

Private beach

Next to the beach

Pool and beach

Snorkelling

Sports

Pets Not Allowed

Pets

Location

At the hotel

Cabañas Narasgandup (Naranjo Chico)

San Blas Islands

child-bed

child-bed-fee

external-private-bathroom

private-bathroom

shared-bathroom

10-beds

11-beds

12-beds

13-beds

14-beds

15-beds

16-beds

17-beds

18-beds

19-beds

2-beds

20-beds

21-beds

22-beds

23-beds

24-beds

25-beds

26-beds

27-beds

28-beds

29-beds

3-beds

30-beds

31-beds

32-beds

33-beds

34-beds

35-beds

36-beds

37-beds

38-beds

39-beds

4-beds

40-beds

5-beds

6-beds

7-beds

8-beds

9-beds

king-bed

queen-bed

limited-time

lounge

treatment

no-window

bay-view

bosphorus-view

canal-view

city-view

courtyard-view

garden-view

golf-view

harbour-view

inland-view

lake-view

land-view

mountain-view

ocean-front

ocean-view

oceanside

panoramic-view

park-view

partial-ocean-view

partial-sea-view

partial-view

pool-view

river-view

sea-front

sea-view

street-view

sunrise-view

sunset-view

water-view

with-view

annex

basement

main-building

1-bedroom

2-bedrooms

3-bedrooms

4-bedrooms

5-bedrooms

6-bedrooms

not-guaranteed

wired-internet-access

smoking

sauna

duplex

safe

mini-bar

breakfast-for-1

breakfast-for-2

pets-allowed

wi-fi

kitchen

Unfortunately a lot of the islands are covered in plastic and trash. One morning we even experienced one of the locals canoeing out on open water to dump trash in the ocean. Furthermore, we had no running water for 3 out of our 4 booked nights, in addition to a flooded bathroom floor which gave a smell of sewer, despite paying approximately 250$ a night. A working toilet+shower were some of the main reasons we booked this expensive accommodation to begin with. Instead we had to shower with a bucket and kiss our remains goodbye using the same bucket. We asked several times, when the water would be back, but they kept answering “soon soon” - obviously not interested in helping us.
We tried to explain to the host that we were unhappy with the situation and tried to cut what we believe was a fair deal. The final offer we were given was to either pay the full price and stay the last night, or pay for 3 nights and leave immediately. Given the circumstances and the hostile energy, we didn’t want to spend another minute in this overpriced cash machine. 

They did not speak English, but the language barrier was not really the problem. When trying to communicate in a polite way with the hostess, they seemed extremely indifferent and annoyed by the situation, which obviously made us feel very unwelcome. 

Trash, dirty and a hostile host

We had a good few days relaxing on the island and were fed well in the Cabanas, lobster, crab, lots of fresh seafood.
However the accommodation is very budget for the high price. Do not come expecting it to be anything but basic. We had no lightbulb in the property and had to ask several times for this until we got one on the second day, even then only in the bathroom and not the main room. 
The beach side of the island has great views and some good snorkelling but the island has so much rubbish on it that it really taints the experience. There are a few locals that seem to rake the beach twice a day picking up the logs and seaweed that arrive but no attempt is made to clear the bottles, nappies, flip slops, plastic etc that are all around.
The guys that run the cabanas were friendly enough but it does seem like a bunch of lads running the accommodation and definitely no womans touch.
If you want to be off the grid and arent too fussy about the accommodation then go for it but I think it was way too expensive for what you get.

Nice location but very budget accommodation

Words and pictures don’t do the true beauty of San Blas justice.  We stayed 3 nights in the overwater bungalow.  It was simple and primitive and was amazing for decompressing and just getting away from it all.  The hospitality by the family who took care of us was amazing.  As a caution if you are a pretentious traveler this isn’t for you.  There were no outlets, no modern hotel perks, limited shower water, certainly no WiFi and the lodging is as close to nature as you can get.  With that being said it was sensational to be able to just live and be in the moment.  This place is great for anyone trying to reconnect with themselves without the spoils of technology.  
Food was exceptional and simple.  I’m willing to bet if I put the fried chicken and potatoes that were served to us against any highly touted restaurant in the whole world blindly.  It wins. Seafood was caught fresh while we took part in our excursions. The coral around the islands is great for snorkeling and fish observing some spots we went were on par with Great Barrier Reef. The beach and coral on this particular island is great.  You are on an island smack in the middle of a village literally living side by side.  We had a few cultural opps moments as we wandered into the forest section that isn’t for tourists but you live and learn.  
The excursions themselves are solid like literally some Robinson Cruso stuff.  Just an island or a sand bar in the middle of no where.  Just stunning stunning beauty.

This is the cautionary portion of the review. Go now like in the next year.  They are ruining what should be an absolute global gem.  Trash is just thrown in to the ocean at an disgusting pace. The reason we were asked to leave forest is 2 of the elders of islands were throwing trash into ocean.  I want to come back and visit in the future but if something isn’t done soon they will poison their very existence into extinction.  

All in all I loved this place more then any place I’ve been.  If your headed to San Blas put your phone and technology away and plug in to reality.  Stay here you won’t be dissatisfied.

Off the Grid

I stayed in naranjo chico with my wife in one of the cabins on the water. This was a unique experience, the people, the ocean, the veiws, the seafood and excursions all excellent. I rented an AWD to go through the mountais and the ride was somewhat rough. There were too many pot holes on the road. All and all at the end when we arrived the port in carti and although there is no technology is well organised. It was all worth it.
Thanks to Aucel we reserved the cabin from the states and he forwarded all the pertinent instructions.
Rgds,
Carlos 

San Blas Adventure

We stayed there for 4 nights and were very happy about it. The island is incredibly nice, also the staff cares very well. They offer activities like snorkeling, visit to other islands, visit to the central island of their tribe.

The 'rooms'/hut are kept simple but are clean and offer an authentic experience. After a few days you feel like belonging to their tribe.

The comfort reminds me a bit about the early days when I was travelling around with basic comfort and rucksack. But you get an authentic experience on an area of incredibly wonderful Caribbean islands.

You should not have a problem with boats, also smaller ones, as you will take a lot of (short) rides.

Great island, nice stay!

The planning phases were painless and the logistics were well planned. The staff were all friendly and full of info about the region and the history of the islanders who run the tour. We felt secure as we were transported to and fro. 

The young man who picked us up from our hotel was a very nice young man who is also of islander heritage. He stopped at a small restaurant in the jungle where we had some really good tasting coffee that was grown in the region. 

Once we were on the boat and headed out to the islands, there were several species of jungle animals that were easily spotted along the river bank. We saw a crocodile, several different types of birds and one monkey. My kids were ecstatic. The rest of the boat ride was uneventful. However, the scenery was beautiful. 

As we approached the island we were mesmerized by the beauty. The cabins were very minimalist but that is what we were looking for. We had a semi private beach that was protected from the rougher waters of the Caribbean by a small coral reef. My kids all had snorkeling gear and after putting their masks in the water came up screaming with delight about all that they had seen underwater. That only got better!

My oldest son is very into wildlife and made friends with one of the islander boys that was close to his age. They were instantly buddies and that boy showed my son how to catch all kinds of critters that were there in the little cove during low tide. 

The trip includes two tours of some cool attractions that are close to the island. The first was to a sand bar in the middle of the sea that is very shallow and drops of into deeper waters that surrounds the little natural pool. We shallow dove and snorkeled for and hour while taking some awesome pics. The second trip was to a couple of outlying islands that were nice to look at but I was happier on the island where we were staying. 

The boat captain was very nice. He took my sons and me fishing and my boys both caught fish which was the highlight of their trip. The boat captain shared bait (squid) and fishing secrets very liberally and because he did not have to take us fishing, I gave him a good tip. Without him, I would have been hard pressed to produce some fish. We took our own tackle, which was just some 8lb line and a weight and hooks, but it was enough. The captain and his two deck hands caught a lot of fish. 

Our time on the beach was priceless. We hung our hammocks between the coconut palms (we all have our own hammocks) and relaxed, swam and took naps. Our hosts would harvest, open and serve us coconuts full of about a liter of milk for only two dollars. My kids loved them and they stayed hydrated without me having to force them to drink water.

The food was tasty and plentiful. Mostly typical dishes of very well seasoned dishes. Breakfast was simple, but filling. We took plenty of snacks to get us through between meals but only ate a little of what we had. Take fresh drinking water, enough to have at least 3 liters per person per day. The only complaint I have about our dining experience was that they only served instant coffee. So, if you are a java person, watch out for that detail. I was able to obtain hot water from the cook and make my own. There was usually an alternate menu for my kids who are picky eaters. The fried chicken that my kids had was pretty good, too. 

Overall, it was one of our favorite vacations that we have had so far and that is saying a lot. My wife made me promise to take her back. If you can deal with the basics for a couple of days, this is the place. I hope all of my future vacations are as satisfying.

Great place for a family made up of rugged travelers

My husband and I stayed here for two nights in January 2017.  Correspondence with the hotel before our stay was great, so no problems there and they assisted with setting up transportation as well.  

We had chosen the accommodations over the water and SO happy we did!  I think we would have been miserable had we not.  Aside from a private bathroom, we were also able to eat our meals overlooking the water as opposed to in a hot buggy dining area.  There is NOTHING to do, nowhere to even sit outside of your room unless you go to the other side of the island and sit on the beach from the other resort, so having a nicer room was very beneficial.  

The major downside though...that hot buggy dining area (which shares a wall with the cabana we were staying in) is also where all of the staff sleep, including a baby who was up crying most of the night on our first night.  The whole "resort" is so small though, my guess is that everyone was woken by the baby.  Not exactly what we were expecting on our romantic getaway.  The second night we got to listen to snoring....again, not that great.      

We were not expecting much from the food based on the other reviews and I'm glad that we brought an abundance of snacks.  The meals are traditional and not very large.  Breakfast the first day was a hotdog and some plain bread, the second day was one egg and some plain bread.  Lunch was rice with a whole fried fish, bones and all and dinner was lobster with rice.  Unfortunately the lobster was so overcooked that it wasn't as appealing as we had hoped.  

My husband and I were looking forward to some great snorkeling and looking forward to the boat trips to other islands.  The two trips we went on lasted two hours total and unfortunately, since the other guests staying at the time were not all that interested in snorkeling, the islands that were chosen were more geared towards swimming.  We snorkeled around our island quite a bit though and the area certainly is beautiful.  

The saddest part of the whole trip though, was seeing so much trash on every island we visited and in the water.  The Kuna have a beautiful paradise at their fingers and I just can't believe how poorly they are treating it.  My guess is this place will be trashed in ten years so go now if you want to see it.  

These islands are a great experience but I couldn't recommend staying here.

Cabañas Narasgandup (Naranjo Chico)

Main amenities of the hotel

Available rooms

Location

Description of the hotel

What other amenities are there?

Policies

Check-in terms and conditions

Additional information

Payment