San Blas Islands

2D/1N Oceanfront Cabin, Private Bath in San Blas INCLUDING Day Tour + Meals

San Blas Islands, Panama
2 Days in Private Cabin in San Blas Day Tour All Inclusive

From $179.00

Select Date and Travelers

-You will not receive a refund if you cancel.

  • 2 days (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Get a night away in the island archipelago of San Blas with this two-day tour that covers multiple different islands. Don’t just take a speedboat to one island and call it day; instead, travel a little slower and see more of the archipelago than the typical traveler.
  • Overnight accomodation is provided and includes a private bathroom
  • A vacation within a vacation: remember to bring your passport for the Kuna border crossing
  • Get greater insight into the archipelago with bilingual English/Spanish speaking guides
  • Snorkel equipment included for your convenience

What's Included

  • Dinner
  • Breakfast
  • San Blas boat tour
  • Snorkel Equipment during boat tour
  • Lunch (2)
  • Beverages
  • Guna Yala territory entrance Fee ($22 International, $7 Residents)

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

  • Carti Parking and Boat Terminal
    F23C+W2C, Warsobtugua, Guna Yala, Panama

    The tour starts in the port of Carti. Contact our office for exact driving directions and instructions. Plan to arrive no later than 8:30am. Only 4x4 vehicles are allowed entry into San Blas territory. All other cars and SUVs will not be allowed to enter the territory and you will lose your tour.

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

If booking with transportation from Panama City: IF YOU HAVE NOT PROVIDED YOUR WHATSAPP NUMBER AND PICK UP INFORMATION (HOTEL NAME & ROOM NUMBER) YOUR TOUR IS NOT CONFIRMED AND WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PICK YOU UP. On the day of your tour, please be ready to be picked up from your hotel between 5:00am and 5:45am, and wait in the lobby. Since we have shared transportation with up to 6 guests per car, our drivers choose the best route to pick up all guests in a timely manner. To avoid any delays we appreciate your cooperation in being on time. If you are not at your designated pick up point (and waiting in the lobby!), you will loose your tour without refund. The driver will try his best in contacting you via WhatsApp. Please understand that the driver cannot wait longer than 10 minutes before continuing to the next pick up destination, in order to provide timely service for all of the other guests. If driving on your own to San Blas: Please contact our office for exact driving directions and instructions. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ONLY 4X4 CARS ARE PERMITTED TO ENTER THE TERRITORY. We have many guests who arrive in a regular SUV (such as Hyundai Tucson or similar), but are not allowed to enter, because the SUV is not a 4x4 and is considered too small or not suitable for the treacherous roads.

What To Expect

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Most travelers can participate
  • The boat transfer from the port to the islands may be bumpy with some sea spray. If you are sensitive to motion sickness, please prepare accordingly by bringing appropriate medication. You may also get wet, so please bring some water protection for your luggage and yourself
  • Departure time is between 5:00am and 5:45am from your Panama City lodging. If staying at Playa Bonita area, your departure time is between 5:00am and 5:15am.
  • You are welcome to bring a cooler with your own drinks, potable water, snacks and beverages (fruit juice or alcohol). The driver will stop at a supermarket on the way to San Blas in order for you to purchase additional items,.
  • Check out from your cabin on the island is at 8:00am and you should be back in Panama City between 6-7pm.
  • PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO BRING YOUR ORIGINAL PASSPORT. WITHOUT IT, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE KUNA TERRITORY AND THE SAN BLAS ISLANDS.
  • Please be advised that San Blas is in the Kuna territory, which is an autonomous, Indian zone. The services are very basic and most cabins are minimalistic. The Kunas will be providing all touristic services, such as meal preparations, car and boat transportations, lodging, and tour guiding. We are proud to be working with this friendly tribe and with each booking we give back to the community, supporting their customs and their traditional way of life. We kindly ask you to respect this beautiful culture and their simple way of life, leaving your expectations behind and learning about their innocent culture.
  • Aside from using generators for electricity, there are no amenities and utilities as you are used to from the city. Food is basic, yet freshly prepared such as fresh fried fish, mixed seafood, chicken or lobster (at extra chrge) with salad, rice or plantains.
  • We recommend that you bring your personal hygiene items, such as towels, sunscreen, hats, mosquito repellent.
  • In San Blas Islands there are no ATMs, please bring cash. You can buy additional drinks, snacks, souvenirs etc
  • “Tigo” is the cell phone company that has the best reception in San Blas
  • There are no electrical outlets in the huts, only light. You can recharge your phones and cameras in the main house
  • Infants need to sit on laps
  • The usage of drones has been made illegal in the islands of San Blas. Heavy fines have been imposed on those who ignore the law. Please don’t do it!
  • We will check the availability of the cabin and will send you a confirmation mail.
  • PLEASE BE PREPARED FOR A 2.5 to 3 HOUR CAR JOURNEY EACH WAY OVER CURVY ROADS! THERE IS ALSO A 25-30 MINUTE BOAT RIDE TO YOUR FIRST ISLAND WHICH CAN GET QUITE BUMPY AND WET. We feel that the islands are worth the long drive, but some travelers have complained about the drive and the fast boat ride from and to the port. While we strive to provide our guests the best service and an unforgettable experience in San Blas, we are not responsible for road and ocean conditions, and we would like you to be aware of this fact :)
  • SAN BLAS DISCLAIMER - PLEASE READ! While San Blas is a beautiful island archipelago with stunning beaches and clear waters, it also has its downsides, for which we would like to make you aware off. In San Blas only the Kuna population is allowed to work in the territory. The services and infrastructure are not what most of us are used to. Kunas are not very service oriented and can often seem shy or reserved. A stay in San Blas can be compared to a camping vacation that offers minimal comfort, services and amenities. We strongly advise those who have 5 star expectations to think twice before embarking on this adventure. We do have alternative tours in Panama with more high-end services. We really care about our reputation and we want our guests to enjoy their vacation with us. We attempt to be as transparent as possible in order to set guest expectations from the start. We do not own any of the islands and we pride ourselves in providing excellent service during your booking process and attempting to assist you during your San Blas vacation. However, please remember that we cannot guarantee the same excellent service during your stay in San Blas. Please read all the below information well! San Blas is very rustic without the amenities and standards you might be used to from home. Compared to places such as Tahiti and Maldives that are managed by international hotel chains, San Blas has remained autonomous without the influence of outsiders. When visiting San Blas, it should be viewed as a cultural experience where guests live with the Kunas and respect their traditions and their primitive ways of living. No air condition - None of the islands offer A/C, some cabins don’t have fans either. No Wifi - You can buy a prepaid SIM card (Tigo or Digicel), which may or may not have signal. No luxury facilities - Bathrooms may be dirty, sinks may get clogged, sheets may be old Electricity is only available between 6:00pm and 6:00am. Cabins don’t have outlets. Electric devices can be charged in the restaurant. Water is a precious commodity in San Blas. It is either brought in by boat or pumped from the island well, which may have a significant salt content. Oftentimes pumps can malfunction and cause water outages. Beds and mattresses can be uncomfortable and sheets are old and worn. What seems like trash and clutter around the local huts, are items and tools that Kunas re-use for their daily lives. Please respect the fact that you will spend your time living alongside the Kunas who have different traditions and values. All services will all be handled by the indigenous Kuna. While we strive to provide the best service possible and train the Kuna in customer management, some of the below services are often out of our control. Car transportation - the ride to San Blas takes 2.5 to 3 hours, with 1.5 hours over slow, curvy roads. For those with motion sickness, please prepare accordingly. The transportation is in a shared 4x4 SUV, with one seat up front, three seats in the middle row and 2 seats in the back row. Seats are assigned randomly. Those who require additional space in the car must purchase an extra seat. Pick up from your lodging is scheduled between 5:00am and 5:30am, but can sometimes be as late as 5:45am depending on the timeliness of other guests that we pick up. Out of respect for all others in the car we ask everyone to wait in the lobby of their building at 5:00am. If you are not at the designated meeting point, the driver will make an effort to locate you, but he cannot delay the transportation by more than 10 minutes. No refunds are awarded to guests who don’t show up on time. Boat transportation - depending on weather and ocean conditions, the 20-40 minute boat ride might be bumpy and wet with ocean spray. Luggage is stored in the front of the boat and covered with tarps. Island cabin management - cabins are very rustic and facilities, such as showers and bathrooms are often “home-made” with PVC pipes. Some guests have complained that sheets are old. Please bring your own if you require fresh smelling sheets. Island kitchen - meal plans are repetitive and food might taste bland, without the use of spices. Additional food, drinks and snacks can be purchased on the way to San Blas. The driver will stop at a grocery store. Most Kunas DO NOT speak English. Please attempt to resolve any cabin related issues and requests directly with the island management. Trash is a worldwide problem and unfortunately San Blas has not been spared from the ever increasing issue. During certain tides and ocean and wind conditions plastic trash from throughout the Caribbean ocean accumulates on the beaches of San Blas. While the local Kuna are working hard to collect the constant flood of plastic trash washing up on their beaches, guests will nevertheless find evidence of plastic spread out on the island. Furthermore, Kunas tend to collect certain “trash” and re-use it for their purposes. For instance, a collection of empty gas canisters has been re-used to create a Christmas tree. During the wet months (April - December) or during windless days, all of San Blas experiences sandflies, which are little blood-sucking flies that leave itchy marks. Please ensure to bring insect repellent and prepare to return to Panama City with a few itchy memories. Some islands, such as Isla Wailidup tend to have more than others. Weather: Panama is located in the Intertropical Convergence Zone, which means that the weather is very unpredictable and is impossible to forecast with accuracy. The weather forecast will usually show rain and thunderstorms for most days of the year, when in reality there are oftentimes beautiful, sunny days in San Blas. Please do not rely on the weather forecast in Panama. Due to the tropical conditions in San Blas rain can occur at any time and we do not offer refunds for rainy days. Guests who stay in cabins and would like to return earlier than their scheduled departure date must notify our reservation team one day before by 5:00pm via WhatsApp found on your ticket, in order for us to arrange your return transfer. No refunds apply for early departures. Due to the complexity of the logistics involved with each reservation in San Blas (arranging cars, boats, tours, cabins and meals), we kindly ask our guests to adhere to the itinerary schedule sent to them in advance of their trip to San Blas. For any changes in schedule, you must first contact our office at least one day before by 5:00pm and we will attempt to accommodate your request. Travel Emergencies: The San Blas islands are located in a very remote region of Panama. We ask all guests to be responsible for their own well being and to be aware that medical assistance can often not be provided right away. The closest medical facility in San Blas is very basic and can only provide assistance for minor issues. Guests with injuries such as broken bones that require more specialized treatment need to be transported to Panama City. Guests are responsible for all charges arising from a medical emergency, such as boat and car transportation and medical care. We suggest all guests to carry a Travel Insurance to cover emergency expenses. For more information, please check your ticket for the travel insurance link. We kindly ask our guests to lower their expectation when visiting San Blas and to focus on the beautiful remote paradise that San Blas has remained despite the effects that modern society has caused to them. The Kunas are very gentle and kind people, but can also be somewhat shy at times. When approaching them with a smile and an open heart you will be guaranteed an innocent, happy smile in return. Arriving with the right mindset and expectation usually guarantees an unforgettable experience, where guests are able to focus on the beauties of the islands, beaches, ocean and the people, rather than on the limitations that we mentioned above.
  • AGAIN!!! Please be prepared for a 2.5 hour car journey each way (1 hour on a highway and about 1.5 hours through the mountains over curvy roads! Please do not leave bad reviews because of the road. We try to warn you ahead of time ;)
  • The road to San Blas is very curvy. If you are sensitive to motion sickness, please prepare accordingly by bringing appropriate medication.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
    Featured review
    Randall_S
    What a beautiful place to experience. After a little confusion on the morning of departure with the driver the rest of the trip was fantastic including transportation back to Panama City. We’re a family of three with an 11 year old and all had a great time. Bring a cooler with beverages and water and lots of sunscreen. Definitely recommend this tour.

    Reviews

    4.5
    15 reviews
    Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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    Reviews by Viator travelers.
    Showing 1-10 of 15 reviews
    I would like to return and spend a week.
    Andrea_B, Jan 2024
    What would you bring to a deserted island? A cooler full of cold drinks, a bag of snacks, plenty of reading material, and anything you cannot live without whether it is toothpaste or bug spray. I heard grumbles from other travellers who were caught off guard because they were expecting something that wasn't available. Also, I suggest that you leave your preconceived notions on the mainland. Time moves differently in the Kula Yara so patience is essential.
    Response from Host, Jan 2024
    Thanks for your insightful review and advice for future travelers. Your patience and adaptability truly capture the spirit of Kula Yara. Safe travels!
    Good, minus transportation
    Monica_Z, Nov 2023
    This was a great experience, outside of transportation! Piled 7 people, plus luggage, in a jeep style car. It was very cramped. I would try to book my own car next time because that was awful. People got six both ways. The only thing is make sure you have everything you need before leaving the city. They say you will stop to pick up snacks and cooler.. not sure. The place you stop is a gas station with very limited things.
    Response from Host, Nov 2023
    Hi Monica, we are glad to hear that you enjoyed your San Blas stay. We apologize again for the transportation. As indicated before, the driver assisted another couple on the way to San Blas, giving them a lift for a short distance until they were able to meet up with their own driver. That was the reason for having 7 passengers in your car. Thank you again for joining us in San Blas and we hope you visit us again soon.
    Beautiful island
    Qiwen_Z, Nov 2023
    Island is beautiful, but service at the island is poor. The food is not tasty nor enough. The cabin door could not closed tight. The afternoon boat tour was cancelled without notifying us.
    Response from Host, Nov 2023
    We are happy you enjoyed San Blas. We are sending a detailed disclaimer in advance of the trip to prepare all of our guests about the islands and their services. In that disclaimer we mention the service on the island, the food, as well as the accommodations. We believe reading that disclaimer may have made all the difference in your case, arriving in San Blas with the righrt expectations.
    Crowded island. Felt like...
    Sanjuana_J, Aug 2023
    Crowded island. Felt like a tourist trap. Takes about 20 minutes to walk around the island, but you’re only allowed to access half of it. Nice snorkeling right off of the beach.
    Response from Host, Aug 2023
    We are sad to hear that you did not enjoy your island. Isla Diablo is renown to be a very beautiful island and popular amongst tour boats during the day from 10:00am to 3:00pm. However, after 3:00pm when the day tours return to the port, the island is serene again. Some guests enjoy islands with more activity others prefer to be completely remote. For that reason we offer different islands in San Blas that fit every taste and style. We make theses fact very clear in our description. We hope you enjoyed the remainder of your Panama vacation.
    Amazing trip!
    Kathryn_B, Apr 2023
    This was the highlight of our trip! Everyone was so friendly, and the trip was very well coordinated — impressively so! San Blas is incredibly beautiful, if you have the opportunity don’t miss out!
    Response from Host, Apr 2023
    We are so glad to hear that you had a great time with us! We do our best to provide excellent service to all of our guests. Hoping to hearing back from you again soon.
    Beautiful San Blas
    Randall_S, Apr 2023
    What a beautiful place to experience. After a little confusion on the morning of departure with the driver the rest of the trip was fantastic including transportation back to Panama City. We’re a family of three with an 11 year old and all had a great time. Bring a cooler with beverages and water and lots of sunscreen. Definitely recommend this tour.
    Response from Host, Apr 2023
    Thank you for your kind words! We're glad to hear that you and your family had a great time. We apologize for the confusion with the driver and we hope you'll come back soon!
    Highlight of my one week visit!
    Kina_G, Mar 2023
    Absolutely loved this experience! This was the highlight of my one week trip. Everything is chaotic, but organized at the same time which makes it one of a kind. The accommodations and food are very basic but is 100% worth going and staying overnight if you’re looking to relax. The Kuna people are extremely nice, accommodating, and fun even though there was a language barrier. They made sure we made it onto the right boat and connected us to our driver to go back to Panamá city seamlessly. This is an amazing experience that’s worth doing!
    Response from Host, Mar 2023
    We are so glad to hear that you had an amazing experience with us! We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay and that the Kuna people were so accommodating and friendly. Thank you for your kind words!
    World calss beauty but below average services
    Barbara_W, Feb 2022
    5 stars world class beauty but below average guide and services. I would recommend it to my friends if he/she can handle: 1. uncertainty about schedule (hotel pickup time, boat schedule and destination islands) 2. Spanish language (our hotel pickup driver does not speak English at all, and we don't speak Spanish, luckily we had someone share the car who speaking both) 3. Day2 supposed to be guided tour to multiple islands, but our guide was never in our boat, just saw him once in Perro island
    Response from Host, Feb 2022
    Hi Barbara, Thank you for your feedback. We try to make our tour special providing good quality. Our driver has been with our company for many years and has proven to be extremely reliable, always on time and driving very safe. While he does not speak English, we find that having him on our team provides amazing value to us and our guests. Our boat drivers have also proven to be very good guides and we are confident they give excellent tours to our guests. However, we do take al of our guest feedback very seriously and we do follow up with our team, taking your comments under consideration.
    Great snorkeling location
    AgateLamp, Feb 2020
    Expensive activity but worth the financial stretch. Laid-back couple of days with some interesting activities. I would have preferred more information on Guna Yala people and Guna language, but this is really all about the beach.
    Great
    Stefanie_L, Jan 2020
    We liked the tour very much, the trips all went smoothly and the island we stayed on was just beautiful (Diablo) we would definitely come back
    Une expérience à ne pas manquer
    Jose_M, Feb 2024
    Paysage à couper le souffle. Plongé en apnée remarquable. Locaux très serviables. Le transport semble un peu désorganisé, mais s'est tout de même bien passé. Accommodations très rustiques, mais confortable.
    Response from Host, Mar 2024
    Merci pour votre retour. Nous sommes ravis que vous ayez apprécié le paysage et la plongée. Nous notons vos commentaires sur le transport et l'hébergement - ils sont très utiles pour notre amélioration continue.
    2 Tage Paradies
    Friederike_H, Nov 2023
    Auf den San Blas Islands fühlt man sich wirklich wie im Paradies. Bei uns hat organisatorisch alles wunderbar geklappt, die Hütten sind einfach, aber für so einen Aufenthalt völlig ausreichend. Vor allem bei gutem Wetter eine unbeschreibliche Erfahrung. Die Inselbewohner sind sehr nett. Sollte man bei vegetarischem Essen große Ansprüche haben, dann ist man da falsch, aber das ist ja nicht entscheidend. Auf jeden Fall weiterzuempfehlen.
    Response from Host, Nov 2023
    Vielen Dank für Ihr positives Feedback. Es freut uns sehr, dass die San Blas Islands Ihnen ein Paradieserlebnis geboten haben. Wir schätzen Ihre Empfehlung sehr und hoffen, Sie bald wieder begrüßen zu dürfen.
    Ausflug in eine Postkarte
    Aylin_Z, Oct 2021
    Die Inseln waren Traumhaft schön! Kristallklares Wasser und weißer Sandstrand. Wir konnten sogar Seesterne sehen. Die Tour war sehr gut organisiert. Es wurde sich sehr gut um uns gekümmert.

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