How to Visit the San Blas Islands, Panama

Written by Dalene Heck / Photography by Pete & Dalene Heck

Way back in 2010, we found ourselves in Colombia, looking north.

The San Blas Islands, situated between Colombia and Panama, were on our radar. After spending almost a year roaming South America, our Lonely Planet guidebook recommended stopping there on the way to Central America via sailboat. Family commitments would call us back to Canada instead, leaving us to dream about those islands for a long while.

Finally, we made plans to visit, nearly 15 years later. Our approach would be different – we planned a few days there during our two weeks in Panama. No need to sail between countries, we would be going directly from Panama City and back again.

When we were planning, we struggled at times to find the information we needed, and also had many people reach out to us afterwards for advice. And that’s when we realized that writing an article on how to visit the San Blas Islands is needed!

So let’s get into it.

Everything You Need to Know to Visit The San Blas Islands

Where are the San Blas Islands?

The archipelago of 365 islands, officially known as Guna Yala, is in the Caribbean Sea, just off the northern coast of eastern Panama.

How to Visit the San Blas Islands

While it is possible to reach the Islands by air (only via charter or Air Panama), most people arrive by land or sea. The launch point to the Islands is a 2.5 to 3-hour drive from Panama City, and from there, the Islands start after a 30 to 40-minute boat ride. Because accommodations around the port are limited, we highly recommend planning to spend a night in Panama City before and/or after your visit.

We stayed at the Central Hotel Panama in Casco Viejo, the historic centre of Panama City. It’s only 200 ms from the Presidential Palace, and has a rooftop pool area with amazing views of the city!

We arranged transportation to pick us up from our hotel and take us to the departure point for the islands for a multi-day tour (that we’ll share details of later in this post). For the sake of this article, we’re going to assume that you don’t have your own boat (we don’t, so we can’t speak to how to do that).

Organized Tours

While it’s possible to visit the San Blas Islands independently, we recommend booking a tour for several reasons.

For one, the roads getting there are a bit sketchy, requiring a 4X4 vehicle (that has to be approved by local authorities) to travel them, so you might as well jump in with a vehicle already heading there.

For two, there are entry and port taxes, and some islands also charge a fee to visit. On an organized tour, this may be included in your base fee (check the tour details) and handled by the guide, saving you the effort of carrying cash and seeking out the right person to pay.

And finally, when you arrive at the port and are waiting to depart for the San Blas Islands, it can be a bit chaotic. Your tour guide will make sure you get on the right boat, making the experience a lot less hectic.

Day Tours From Panama City

This makes for a very long day, given that the round-trip from the capital city will take at least 5.5 hours. So, expect a very early wake-up call, but at least you’ll get a few hours roaming the most pristine beaches you may ever see in your life.

Viator is a great place to compare and book day tour options. Here are a couple, departing from (and returning to) Panama City:

• This day tour is focused on beach-hopping and has stellar reviews.
• This tour is Viator’s best seller! It visits four different islands, and participants have also commented that the tour is also educational, and not just about the beaches.

Multi-Day Tours and Staying on the San Blas Islands

For all the reasons listed above (to take a day tour), and based on conversations we’ve had with others, booking an “all-inclusive” package that includes overnight stays is also your best option if you want to extend your time on the Islands. You may save a few dollars by organizing it all yourself (Airbnb lists a couple of cabins), but having someone handle all the details would help you enjoy the best of staying in this idyllic paradise!

Be forewarned: the accommodations are very rustic. Expect basic huts, mosquito nets, and natural air conditioning. Some options are listed below:

• 2 days, 1 night: This overnight package includes meals. Upon arrival, you’ll spend the day exploring just one island (where you’ll stay). Day 2 involves some island hopping before returning to the mainland. The cabin is rustic but private, and you’ll have your own bathroom.
• 3 days, 2 nights: You’ll get to see a remote part of the archipelago that few people do with this package that includes some of the more popular sights as well. All meals are included, along with your private room. There is also an option to upgrade to an overwater bungalow, which looks a bit nicer than the rustic cabins.
• 4 days, 3 nights: If it’s always been your dream to live rustic on remote islands, then the best way to scratch that itch is to book this longer tour! All meals are included, as is access to beach toys, and this tour also includes some cultural stops as well.

Via Chartered Boat

This is how we visited, and yeah, we splurged a little to make it happen! It was worth every penny. But let me tell you, it took a not-insignificant amount of research to make sure we booked the right trip.

Because here’s the thing: there are a lot of operators out there, and at first (and second!) glance, it’s hard to even know where to start. And then, for these novice sailors, we had to figure out which boat would suit us best. There are many options, and it took us some time to narrow them down.

We finally decided to book via Sailboattrips.com, and this was the boat we booked. Think of the platform as a bit like Airbnb for sailboats – the owners list their vessels, plus the terms of their offer, and would-be holidaymakers can pick from them.

We chose a catamaran over a monohull for more stability (I can get a bit queasy) and to enjoy our experience with more space. While we booked the entire boat just for the two of us, note that you can share the boat charter with others – you can either bring your friends, or you’ll be matched up with other holiday-ers. Doing so would definitely make it cheaper, but could hamper your experience if you clash for any reason.

We loved our experience! Our crew – Nico and Flor – were excellent sailors and people. They were very knowledgeable about the Islands, showed us the best beaches and snorkelling spots, and we shared similar tastes in music (which, in our opinion, makes any shared adventure better). Our only complaint was that the meals were rather uninspired and cheapened the experience somewhat, considering what we were paying.

That said, it was still a sublime trip. We enjoyed several Islands with no one else around us, snorkelled in some excellent spots, and after dinner, when we stretched out on the netting to watch the stars above, there was truly no place we would have rather been.

Via Boat Between Colombia and Panama

This is a popular option for backpackers moving between the two countries, and one we heavily considered back in 2010. Looking at it today, there appear to be two dominant options: travelling by speedboat or sailboat between Cartagena, Colombia and several different ports in Panama (with transfers to/from Panama City). Here’s what I found out about each:

By Speedboat

It appears that San Blas Adventures is the go-to company, with a big stack of excellent reviews. Trips are 5 days/4 nights, and because the boat is faster than a sailboat, you’ll get more time to just enjoy the islands. Because it’s a speedboat, you won’t sleep on it; each night will be spent sleeping on a different island. Some islands have beds, but most have hammocks in a dorm. This blog provides a detailed explanation of one client’s experience.

By Sailboat

Blue Sailing offers sailing adventures between the two countries, again with 4 or 5-night trips, depending on your departure point. You’ll sleep and enjoy most of your meals onboard, but will still have plenty of opportunity to enjoy life on the islands. Expect crowded sleeping arrangements (hulls are wee!), so this may not be ideal for anyone with claustrophobia. However, it will also offer a slower-moving and true sailing experience that may qualify as an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime experience for you!

Is Visiting the San Blas Islands Worth it?

When a destination has been stuck in your brain for over a decade, there is a danger that you overhype it and expect too much. But even with that in mind, it was every bit as wonderful as we hoped it would be. After three nights and four days of sailing among the islands on our private catamaran, we were relaxed and in awe of the gorgeous, serene beaches and turquoise waters. We loved learning about the Indigenous Guna people (and their impressive matriarchal society). We may have been a little bit crispy from too much sun, but still left with giant smiles on our faces.

Our trip to the Islands was absolutely worth it.

And if you want to visit, don’t wait too long. The islands are facing an existential threat due to climate change; many will not survive the century. The Panamanian government has already begun moving people to the mainland. On our trip, our boat captain pointed out two islands that were combined into one just a few years ago, with their lowest point since submerged.

It’s a precious part of the planet, worthy of your time, but also of your utmost responsibility and respect when visiting.

When is the best time to visit the San Blas Islands?

For the best chance of blue skies and fully sunny days, visit during the dry season, from mid-December to April. Not only will you have the postcard-perfect blue skies, but the breezy trade winds, which are also great if you’re sailing.

How many days do you need in the San Blas Islands?

For the full San Blas experience, we recommend at least 2 to 3 nights. Sure, you can do a day trip from Panama City, but it’s a long haul (~ 6 hours of travel round-trip) for a mere few hours on the sand. Booking a few nights allows you to slow down and be able to reach the more remote islands that day-trippers will never see.

Which of the San Blas Islands is best?

Choosing the “best” island is certainly subjective. If you’re looking for some epic snorkelling, Isla Perro (Dog Island) is high up there because of its famous shipwreck. Our favourite island was Isla Pelicano, featured in the Netflix series “Money Heist”. We chilled in the water and on the beach for a few hours. There are also a few party islands if that’s your vibe, Iguana Island being one of the most popular.

What should I bring to the San Blas Islands?

We highly suggest packing as light as possible while also including the basics for a beach vacation (swimsuit, sunscreen, etc.). In addition to that, here is what else we would suggest:

• Anti-nausea meds. If you are susceptible to sea-sickness, then we highly recommend packing something for it. The water can be rough at times, and I would have been hurting without it.
• Cash. While tours typically cover meals and small fees to visit different islands, the basic entry fee ($22 USD at the time of writing) and incidentals (drinks, souvenirs) are not covered.
• Dry bags. We never leave home without one! On our boat ride to the Islands, the waves were big and often crashed over the side of the boat. While they did cover everyone’s luggage with a large sheet of plastic, we were glad that our stuff was in a dry bag, so everything was doubly protected.
• A power bank. If you are staying overnight, your accommodation may not have power, so if you want to keep your phone charged, bring a power bank!