Sandubidi, also known as Popa 2, is a small Ngöbe-Buglé community of around 200 fishermen, artisans and subsistence farmers. Some inhabitants still know the secrets of the rain forest, and use plants widely to make a mixture of ointments and infusions, employed by the local medicine man to treat disease and infection, and to ease pain.

This tour is an introduction to the Ngöbe way of life, with samples of the local crafts and a tour of the rain forest and mangroves led by the medicine man. Visitors will enjoy typical food, such as yucca, plantain and coconut rice, grown in the village and freshly prepared in the palm-roofed restaurant.

After this filling lunch, the village´s proximity to Coral Cay means you can end your visit with a refreshing snorkeling trip.

The Village

Sandubidi in the Ngöbe language means “Point of the Boa.” In Ngöbe folklore the original settlers of the village were forced to move out after a giant boa constrictor ate all of their chickens and other small animals. The small boas found across the island today are said to be the descendants of this huge serpent.

Highlights

• Hike a unique tropical medicinal plant trail with the village witch doctor, who will explain the plants´ preparation and uses
• Enjoy a filling and delicious traditional lunch, grown on the island
• Explore the twisting mangroves around the edge of the community
• Tour the community: Visit the school and see how the Ngöbe villagers live.

Itinerary

9:30  Meet at the Tourist Information Center in Bocas town, between Calle 1 and 2, on the road to the airport.

9:45  Leave Isla Colón

10:30 Arrive at Sandubidi

10:45 Introductory chat, and opportunity to buy handmade crafts

11:15 Medicinal plant trail and mangrove walk with the curandero

12:15 Traditional lunch

1:15  Community Tour

1:45 Tour finishes - optional snorkeling at Coral Cay before returning to Isla Colón

Sustainability

Sandubidi is a traditional Ngöbe-Buglé community, whose residents still grow much of their own food and practice small-scale fishing.The houses are constructed with locally-sourced wood, and the majority have no electricity. The cabin and restaurant used by visitors have solar panels to power the lights. Rainwater catchment systems are used throughout the village ,and the water is filtered before drinking.

There are no roads or vehicles on Isla Popa, and the traditional method of transport is a cayuco dugout canoe which the Ngöbe use to travel around the archipelago, causing no damage to the environment.

The village entrance fee and $2 trail charge (included in the tour price) is returned directly to the women´s tourism group, who use it to support their families and buy school uniforms and equipment. The handicrafts produced by the women, such as hand-sewn dresses and skirts and bead necklaces and bracelets, are for sale in the restaurant, and the money collected is returned to the craftswomen.

What to Bring

• Suitable walking shoes or boots
• Sun screen
• Insect repellent
• Plastic bags to protect cameras and other equipment.

Prices depend on the number of passengers - please inquire for details.

Package Includes

• Boat transportation: Isla Colón – Isla Popa – Isla Colón
• Medicinal Trail Tour and Mangrove Walk
• Community tour
• Lunch and bottled Water
• Not Included
• $1 village entry fee
• Additional drinks and snacks
• Craft purchases
• 
  
• Contact
• Rosalina Hines (Spanish only)
• Telephone: (00507) 6033 7507 or 6743 4536
• Fermina (Spanish only)
• Telephone: (00507) 6046 9574
• Kate Douglass(English or Spanish)
• Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Telephone: 6688-7130
• http://www.meri-ngobe.org/
  

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