Boat from Colombia to Panama

1. 100% local – We grew up in the border region between Panama and Colombia with our Kuna traditions and customs. Only local guides, no foreigners or volunteers
2. Higher comfort – you will sleep in actual beds (hammocks only if you really wish to) and option to choose between small dorms or a private cabin
3. Local cuisine – no processed or western food to reduce waste, local cuisine prepared by local restaurants or families
4. Small groups – Small enough to feel like you’re exploring San Blas independently, but big enough to create a good social vibe (ca. 8-15 people. vs up to 40 with other operators)
5. Extension options – our tour is planned for 4 days but reach out to us if you would like to extend it by a few days!

You can book via the homepage (pick your desired date in the calendar and choose package option) or through email at reservaciones@sanblasfrontera.com.

Payment is in cash on the day of the tour (US Dollars only). If this is not possible, we also accept payment via PayPal or bank transfer for an additional fee. Please reach out for details.

On the day before our departure, you will have to go to the immigration office in Capurgana to get your passport stamped with the leaving stamp. The next day, we will meet in the morning in Sapzurro and our first stop will be the immigration office in Puerto Obaldia, Panama. Here, you are only allowed to proceed if you have your passport stamped in Colombia the previous day. We support you with the paperwork at the various offices. Usually, this stop also involves heavy luggage inspection by the local police so please make sure to not bring any forbidden items into Panama. Once ready, we are all set to head for San Blas!

You’ll be spending the entire day out on the ocean and in the sun so we highly recommend dressing accordingly!

Please bring mandatory:

• Passport: mandatory, it will be checked upon entering the Comarca of Kuna Yala (San Blas)
• Sufficient cash:in US Dollars to pay for the trip in cash, to buy drinks, snacks, souvenirs on the island (small bills of 1 USD and 5 USD highly recommended) – Credit cards are not accepted and there is no ATM in San Blas. You can exchange cash in all major cities along the way and in Capurgana.

Additionally, we recommend:

• Sun protection: for the island and the boat ride (sun blocker, hat, T-shirt with sleeves, towel)
• Towels (not provided!)
  
• Water to drink: Water/soft drinks are not included in the package, please bring sufficient or purchase on the island
• Snacks
• Swimming gear
• Sandals, flip flops
• Wetbag or plastic bag for your valuables in case of a wet boat ride or rain
• Flash light
• Clothes (to change if you get wet on the boat ride + it might get chilly/windy at night)
• Snorkeling equipment

Please wrap sensitive items and put them in a waterproof bag as the boat ride to and between islands might get bumpy and wet at times. Have your passport and cash with you during the car ride and ready to present when entering the Comarca of San Blas (passport check + payment of the governmental entrance fee) and in Puerto Obaldia.

You can bring your luggage with you. If you have more than 1 large backpack/suitcase and a smaller carry-on, please inform us ahead of time.
Please also inform us if you have any bulky luggage (surf board, bike). Extra charges might occur. During trade wind season (December to February), there can be heavy winds and high waves, so please consult with us before the trip and ensure to wrap your bulky luggage to prevent it from getting damaged. We are not responsible for any damages that might occur.

How much cash: You will need cash for the following situations during our trip: 

• Paying the tour price and transport to Panama City (in USD, if not already paid via PayPal)
• Governmental entrance & dock fee of $22 USD (to be paid to the local authorities)
• Cash for drinks, drinking water, beverages or snacks (not included, buy on the main islands or bring your own)
• Cash for souvenirs, if wanted 

San Blas is cash-only, there are no ATMs or card payments in San Blas.

Currency: US Dollars is the officially accepted currency. Please bring sufficient cash (US Dollars), preferably in bills of $1 or $5 for paying for snacks, water, taxes etc. since locals rarely have sufficient change for larger bills. 

The followings fees are included: entrance fees by individual islands and villages that we visit, incl. the fee at the immigration center in Puerto Obaldia, Panama

Not included: the governmental entrance tax for visiting the Comarca of Kuna Yala, which all visitors to the San Blas islands have to pay once at the dedicated entrance points to Kuna Yala (road, ports and airports). This fee is used to protect the rich biodiversity of the Kuna Yala rainforests. It is $22 USD for foreigners and $5 USD for nationals and residents.

We only eat at local restaurants and families to support our communities, especially those that are far off the regular tourist paths. Typical meals in San Blas consist of a source of protein (fish, seafood, lobster or chicken) with rice/coconut rice/yucca/plantains and vegetetables such as lentils, beans, carottes, beet root etc. and salad. For vegan or vegetarian options, the animal protein source is left out.

Yes, this trip is also suitable for children. Children usually love the beaches, the boat rides and being on an island. We recommend that children are at least old enough to walk when joining this trip. Keep in mind that most places do not have special baby equipment (baby beds, baby seats or special food/drinkable water) and that you will need to carry your infant on your lap during the boat ride.

Please also consider our special discounts for children.

A trip to the San Blas Islands is most likely very different to your usual vacation. All operations in San Blas are by law 100% owned and operated by local Kuna people, foreign investments are banned and foreigners/Panamanians are not allowed to conduct any business in San Blas. Most of the cabins are run by large families and provide income for a very large number of people. Many of the operators or employees have lived their entire life in San Blas, some never left the Comarca and most have never traveled to another country or stayed in a hotel. Kuna people have for hundreds of years lived a very simple and basic life consisting mainly of fishing and hunting. Tourism is fairly new and only very few have had real experience in the hospitality sector.

At the same time, the islands are very remote and difficult to reach. Everything that the islands themselves cannot provide (building material, gasoline for the boats, food,…) needs to be sourced in Panama City and sent for a high surcharge in a 4WD/SUV to the dock of Carti. From here, it is then redistributed via boats and again for a fee to smaller sellers and cabins. The islands are not provided with any infrastructure (electricity or running water) and locals live a simple life in tune with nature.

As you can imagine, great effort is required to provide a basic service to tourists and the locals do it to the best of their knowledge. As such, we kindly ask you to leave your mainland expectations behind and be open and try not to compare the $-value of a night in San Blas with a night in other parts of Panama. The simplicity of the cabins reflect a mix of the basic traditional lifestyle and the expensive sourcing for material with external financing being not allowed. Similarly, meals reflect local food patterns (fish/sea food with rice) with limited access and the attempt to adapt to foreign tastes with a bit of sides and salads. Drinking water needs to be imported from the City and is a luxury to most locals. Providing electricity and fresh water requires great effort and usage times might be restricted. Bed linens are washed by hand in the river on the mainland or sent to Panama City. There is no communal trash collection or recycling system in place. Only few locals speak English and some don’t even speak Spanish. 

 Nevertheless, we work closely with cabin owners to ensure that you will receive a great service, experience clean and functioning facilities and that your stay will be a remarkable one!

With this in mind, be ready to jump into your island adventure! Once on the island, you’ll most likely find that in such a beautiful setting, most modern-day luxuries are not needed and that there is a point to the simple and relaxing life that the Kuna people live 😊