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Short on time or prefer not to stay overnight? Our San Blas day tour from Panama City is an easy way to experience the islands & their people in just one day.
Visit two Caribbean islands with white-sand beaches and clear waters, swim and snorkel in the Caribbean, stop at a natural pool and relax under the coconut palms. You’ll also visit a local Kuna community to learn about Kuna culture and traditional life, see and buy handmade molas and other local crafts or, depending on the day, experience a traditional dance.
Great day-trip to the San Blas islands! Everyone was very friendly and the whole day went very smoothly.
From an early-morning pickup in Panama City to a full day in San Blas, enjoy island time, swimming and snorkeling, and a visit to a local Kuna community.
5:00-5:30 AM
Pickup from your accommodation in Panama City and shared 4×4 transfer to the San Blas port. Stop briefly for breakfast along the way before crossing the mountains into Kuna Yala.
MORNING
Board our speedboat at the dock in Cartí and head to a local Kuna island community for a guided visit. Learn about Kuna culture and daily life, see handmade molas and other local crafts and, depending on the day, experience a traditional dance.
LATE MORNING & LUNCH
Continue to one of San Blas’ beautiful Caribbean islands, such as Isla Hierba or Isla Aroma, with white-sand beaches, clear water and coconut palms. Spend time swimming, snorkeling or relaxing on the beach, followed by lunch on the island.
Island stops may vary depending on conditions and local operations.
AFTERNOON
Stop at a shallow natural pool surrounded by clear Caribbean water before continuing to your final island, such as Perro Grande or Isla Diablo. Spend the rest of the afternoon swimming, snorkeling around the island or relaxing on the beach before returning to the port at around 3:15 PM.
Return to Panama City: Your shared 4×4 leaves the port at around 4:00 PM, with arrival in Panama City at approximately 7:00 PM, depending on traffic and road conditions.
Included
Not Included
This is a shared day tour and groups can be larger during busy periods. The experience is more social and lively than our multi-day Island Hopping trips.
Tours are generally run in Spanish and English. If you only speak English, please let us know when booking so we can plan accordingly.
Your original passport is mandatory to enter Kuna Yala. Make sure to bring it with you on the day of your tour.
Travel between the islands is by local speedboat. Facilities in San Blas are simple and rustic, even on the more frequently visited islands.
Travel with just your group and choose from different island routes with our Private San Blas Day Tour.
Simply select your preferred departure date and complete your booking online. A deposit may be required to confirm your reservation, with the remaining balance due shortly before departure.
We offer secure online payment and several payment methods for your convenience. After booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email followed by additional information to help you prepare for your trip, including pickup details, packing recommendations, and useful travel tips.
We understand that plans can change. Our cancellation policy depends on how far in advance you cancel. You can find the full policy in our Terms & Conditions, but in summary:
If possible, we’re always happy to help you find an alternative solution.
Pickup from hotels and accommodations in Panama City is included and usually takes place between 5:00 and 5:30 AM. Your exact pickup time will be confirmed before departure.
Pickup can also be arranged from Amador, Playa Bonita, Veracruz, Tocumen and Gamboa. Additional charges may apply depending on your location.
You will usually return to Panama City at approximately 7:00 PM. As travel times can vary, we don’t recommend planning a flight or other time-sensitive connection for the same evening.
For a full day on the water and in the sun, pack light and bring the essentials.
Mandatory:
Recommended:
Keep your passport and cash accessible during the drive, as you’ll need them before reaching the islands.
Looking for more details? Read our complete San Blas packing list.
You’ll travel between the islands in a typical local speedboat (lancha) with an outboard motor. All boats are equipped with safety vests for all passengers.
The Day Tour takes place largely in waters protected by coral reefs, so conditions are usually relatively calm without large waves. Boat rides between stops are short, usually no more than 30 minutes. Sea spray can be common, however, so you may get wet a bit during the ride. We recommend keeping phones, passports and other valuables in a waterproof or plastic bag.
Tours operate year-round, including during the rainy season. Short tropical showers are common and usually don’t affect the tour.
If weather or sea conditions make it necessary to adjust the trip, we may change the route, delay or postpone the tour. If a trip cannot operate safely, we will contact you with the available options.
You do not need to know how to swim to enjoy the Day Tour. However, please inform your guide if you are a weak or non-swimmer and always follow their safety instructions.
Life jackets are available on the boats, and weak or non-swimmers should wear one when entering the water. Non-swimmers should remain in very shallow water and should not enter deeper water or snorkel. Never swim alone or between islands. You can also enjoy the islands and beaches without taking part in swimming or snorkeling.
Yes, the San Blas Day Tour is suitable for families with children. Kids usually love the beaches, swimming, snorkeling and boat rides between the islands.
Keep in mind that it is a full day, with an early-morning pickup and several hours of travel by car and boat. For younger children, we recommend bringing plenty of water, snacks and good sun protection.
Infants (0–4) join free and travel on a parent’s lap during the shared 4×4 transfer. A dedicated vehicle seat can be added during booking. This is an additional passenger seat only and does not include a child safety seat.
Yes, we regularly welcome older travelers on our Day Tours. There is no specific age limit, but a reasonable level of mobility is recommended.
There is very little walking during the tour, mostly just a few steps around the islands and a short walking tour through the Kuna village. However, the beach islands have no paved paths and you will be walking on sand, and getting in and out of the speedboat sometimes takes place directly at the beach.
Some islands have benches and tables, although seating is not available everywhere. Shade is usually available under the palm trees. The village visit also involves some walking and standing.
If you have limited mobility or are unsure whether the tour is suitable for you, please contact us before booking.
San Blas, or Kuna Yala, is a remote Indigenous territory where tourism is locally owned and operated by the Kuna people. There are no resorts or developed tourist facilities on the islands. Expect simple beach facilities, local boats and a very different experience from Panama City or a resort vacation.
Getting to San Blas is part of the experience. Shared 4×4 transportation between Panama City and San Blas is centrally organized with drivers serving the region, rather than operated by our own fleet. The road into San Blas crosses steep, mountainous terrain and can be a bumpy and winding ride, even in a 4×4.
Once on the islands, expect sand rather than paved paths, simple bathrooms and changing facilities, limited infrastructure and a relaxed local rhythm. San Blas is not a purpose-built tourist destination, and services can be simpler and less standardized than visitors may be used to.
As a 100% Kuna-owned company, our goal is to share San Blas with you while continuously improving the experience within the realities of this remote region. Come with an open mind and a little flexibility, and enjoy the islands and our culture for what they are.
Daily departures from Panama City. Book your date online today.
It is a long day but completely worth the effort. The islands are utterly paradisical and should be on any Panama itinerary.
Hidden Gem
Palm Tree Swing
Afternoon tour included
Wooden beachfront cabins
Delicious, Fresh Lunch
Spectacular/Unique Private Islands Tour: You will find many mixed reviews of this day trip from diff operators but we had an awesome time, taking a private tour from Panama City to the Guna Yala protected islands (of whch there are several). It took us a lot of back and forth in advance picking the right tour company but San Blas Frontera lived up to everything they detailed in our messages and our requests. The day starts early around 530am and ends with a return to the hotel around 7pm. There was definitely a lot of behind the scenes coordination that happens between the tour operator, 4×4 driver, Guna Yala tour guide and boat captain (so while you may feel in the dark – as long as you have arranged in advance , it was very smooth and organized contrary to many reviews – we were in our boat within 15 min of arrival). We chose to do a tour just for our family which permitted us to have our own 4×4 (which typically will fit only 5 adults comfortably plus the driver) and our own boat launch (which typically holds about 14). The 4×4 drive starts on paved roads leaving the city, with a stop at a convenience store and then the last 1.5 – 2 hours is through the rainforest (which as of end of March 2023 was being paved slowly). You arrive at the port and the launch is either there or arrives from an island. Yarmachi contacted us the night before, so that we could pick from a few options on which islands and activities to do (This is only possible on a private trip) and also determined by weather and winds. The boat ride can be a bit rough as well but our captain was very mindful to make it as smooth as possible. On the trip, we visited an island for some beach time, the sunken ship park, the natural pool and lunch on a “remote” island too. The pool was super wild but we didnt spot any starfish. We travel a lot and this was an out of this world experience with our 2 children (8 and 10) – they even prepared veg options for 2 of us. The island hopping lasts abt 5 to 6 hours and then you take the same 4×4 back to your hotel. I recommend bringing some cash for drinks, snacks and tips. You can also pack some snacks and towels for yourself to use on the islands. We also brought snorkeling gear for the ship.
A perfect way to experience the beauty of Guna Yala
We booked a day trip to Guna Yala through San Blas Frontera and had a fantastic experience. Yarmachi was prompt and helpful on email in advance of the trip, and provided clear instructions for our preparation and pickup. We opted to pay extra for a private car, and our driver arrived at our hotel at exactly 5 am, as promised. We stopped at a grocery store along the way to grab breakfast and additional snacks for the excursion. Yes, the drive to the port is long and winding. But if you can take some motion sickness medicine and try to relax and enjoy, it is part of the adventure. We enjoyed the scenery and animals through the windows, and our guide Jorge provided interesting stories and information as we went.
You will get out of the experience what you put into it. If you are able to relax and embrace some of the unknown and unexpected that is inherent in the trek, and meaningfully engage with the experience, it is very powerful and you can learn a lot.
At the port, our driver introduced us to our guide for the day and told us to listen clearly to everything they said. It was a little busy with several boats loading and unloading, and we waited a few minutes until she pointed to us to get us into the boat. Then we took off for the islands and entered paradise.
It is hard to describe the beauty of these islands and the overall setting. It is simply magical. We arrived at Yani and were greeted warmly at the dining area. We were given clear instructions (in english and spanish) and were free to enjoy. Lunch was delicious and the water and sand were magnificent. Then we went to a natural pool to snorkel a bit, and on to Perro Chico.
It is important to remember that Guna Yala is a community, it is not a resort. You are not there to be treated like a VIP 5 star guest. You are there to experience another culture, to listen, to learn, and to be respectful. Do not expect that everyone will speak Spanish or English. A few basic words and phrases in Guna will go a long way.
(If you will be in Panama City before your trip, visit the Mueso de la Mola in Casco Viejo for an excellent introduction to the history, art, culture, and language of Guna Yala.)
I am very grateful to have had this experience, and next time will plan to stay for an overnight or two to have even more time in Guna Yala.
Definitely Worth It
So this company organized our San Blas Islands Day Trip and it was very easy to navigate (and everything to expect was clearly listed in the info for the tour – don’t listen to some of the reviews that said the drivers didn’t speak any English and it was a chaotic mess – our driver spoke some English and the Port want nearly as chaotic as I was Oriya thinking based off of reviews). The company listed everything we would experience and even said although it may appear to be chaotic at times, everyone knew what they were doing – and they were right! (Also, if it helps, this company quickly responded to any inquiries I had via email and they were very friendly and helpful!)
So do be aware that getting to the island are rough. From Amador Causeway, the journey to the port took 3.5-4 hours. The first hour or so is just bumpy highway, while the next couple hours is awful (but it wasn’t the tour’s fault by any means). The “road” is a windy, up-down, washed out (at certain points), pot hot filled trek that will probably leave some people motion sick (I got really motion sick on the way back – my group referred to this road as nature’s roller coaster). I HIGHLY suggest taking something for motion sickness. Again, this is at no fault of the company (and all companies have to travel this road to get there).
But the islands are absolutely worth enduring nature’s roller coaster. Stunning, Crystal clear waters, chill vibes, conch, sand dollar, and starfish sightings; Snorkeling around a ship wreck (very close to a beach); all of this was well worth the trek out.
If you are physically able to endure rough roads, I highly suggest you take this trip with this company.
Loved the excursion! San Blas is such a beautiful place, my daughter and I felt as if we were in paradise!
Had a great time on the tour, although I would have enjoyed having more time on the islands. Next time I will probably book an overnight stay.
