At the Caribbean end of the canal is
Colon, the country's major port and, for the dedicated shopper, the second largest duty-free zone in the world. To the east, and in huge contrast to Colon, lie the 365 islands of the
San Blas Archipelago. Several of the islands are inhabited by the Kuna Indians, who still maintain their deeply rooted traditions. The Province of
Bocas del Toro is also found along this coastline and is home to numerous islands with white beaches, undamaged coral reefs, huge United Fruit banana plantations and the Isla Bastimentos Marine National Park, a large nesting place for turtles.