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The most complete San Blas Experience
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1436
THE ULTIMATE SAN BLAS EXPERIENCE

3-day San Blas Island Hopping

Our San Blas Island Hopping trip provides you the most complete experience of the San Blas Islands. The only tour in San Blas that brings you to the well-known highlights as well as quieter islands not on everyone’s radar.

An island hopping trip through the San Blas Islands designed to give you maximum freedom to discover the islands at your own leisure, we provide the transport, accommodation and rough itinerary and the rest is up to you. The perfect mix of action, beach time and relaxation!

Comment: This tour is designed as an island stay with a defined itinerary and stay with two different Kuna families. It is not a guided tour and available for selected dates.

Highlights
  • Snorkel the sunk ship on Isla Perro
  • Explore the breath-taking beauty of some of the most beautiful islands in all of San Blas 
  • Discover pristine uninhabited islands
  • Sleep in traditional cabins on the beach
  • Snorkel the third-largest coral reef in the world
  • Eat freshly caught sea food
  • Island hopping in the San Blas islands - explore uninhabited islands
    01
    Leave nothing

    … but footprints. Explore deserted islands, wander pristine beaches, swim crystal-clear waters

  • Island hopping & stays in San Blas, snorkel colorful reefs
    02
    Coral Reefs & Shipwrecks

    Explore the underwater treasures of San Blas

  • Eat Langosta and fresh seafood in San Blas Islands
    03
    From the Sea

    … straight to your plate. Enjoy the freshest seafood. Or local vegan alternatives.

  • Starry skies in the San Blas Islands
    04
    Dream the night away

    Endless sky in the night. Thousands of stars.

  • Simple Cabin (Private or Dorm), Isla Tubaniseka
    05
    Bamboo Cabins

    Fall asleep in traditional cabins on the beach to the sound of the waves

Details San Blas Island Hopping

Duration

3-days/2-nights (additional nights can be added during booking process)

Start & Return Location

Day 1: 5:30am, Panama City (pick-up at your accommodation)
Day 3: 7pm, Panama City (drop-off at your accommodation)

Package Options

Dorm bed: mixed dorm, max. 6-8 people
Private cabin: for 2-6 people of the same group

Price Includes

  • Transport from Panama City to San Blas and back
  • 2 Nights in different islands
  • Visits to 6+ islands & a natural pool (incl. entrance fees)
  • Boat transport between islands (speed boat)
  • Meals (vegetarian/vegan options available)
  • Breath-taking, raw nature and island life
  • 3-full days - incl. late departure
  • Beverages, drinks, snacks (bring or buy)
  • Governmental entrance fee to San Blas and dock fee ($20 + $2)
  • Sunscreen, towels and personal items

Highlights

The most complete San Blas Islands experience

  • 6+ Islands & natural pool in 3 days
  • Snorkel a sunk ship on Isla Perro
  • Deserted Islands & pristine beaches
  • SUP & Kayak
  • Short boat rides & no-open sea
  • Fresh seafood, langosta on demand
  • Indigenous culture
  • Visit a natural pool with starfish
  • Traditional cabins on the beach
  • Explore the islands at your own leasure

Accommodation

Western-style bed with mattresses, pillow, sheets. Cabin styles differ by island: simple, thatched huts with sand floor or upscale wooden cabins. Shared bathrooms with simple, western-style shower & toilet, no warm water

Boat transfer

Typical local speed boats (lancha) with outboard motor, equipped with safety vests

Meals

Freshly prepared local cuisine (seafood or chicken), vegetarian & vegan options available. Langosta on demand  (except: March-May)

Photos San Blas Island Hopping

FAQ

Which Islands will we visit?

We plan to visit at least 5-6 islands incl. a natural swimming pools during the 3-day trip. The exact itinerary depends on the weather, season and availability of the islands. An exemplary itinerary could be: Miriyadup – Isla Cambombia o Anmardup – Piscina Natural – Isla Perro – Isla Banedup – Naranjo Chico. Itinerary subject to changes. We try to provide you a balanced number of popular and hidden islands. 

How do I pay for the trip?

Payment is in cash on the day of the tour. Alternatively, via PayPal or Direct Bank transfer (additional fee applies).

Read this before booking your trip

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 😊

What should I pack?

You’ll be spending the entire day out on the water 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

Additionally, we recommend:

  • Sun protection: for the island and the boat ride (sun blocker, hat, T-shirt with sleeves, towel)
  • Towels
  • 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).

Which currency is accepted in San Blas?

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

Why is there a governmental fee to enter San Blas?

All visitors to the Comarca Kuna Yala, and thus to the San Blas islands, have to pay a fee upon entering. For this purpose, there are inspection points at all entrance points to Kuna Yala, such as along the only road, all ports and all airports. This fee is used to protect the rich biodiversity of the Kuna Yala rainforests and to maintain the road connecting San Blas with Panamá. 

The fee is $20 for foreigners and $5 for nationals and residents. 

Can I drive to San Blas myself?

San Blas cannot be reached via public transport and entrance to the area is strictly controlled by the local government. A limited number of independent drivers are certified to bring tourists to the San Blas islands in SUV/4WD as sort of chartered taxis at a fixed price. It is currently NOT possible to drive in your own car to San Blas or hire a taxi-service and the transport needs to be organized together with your tour/stay.

We organize the transport to San Blas and back for you together with your stay and for this collaborate closely with a selected number of licensed drivers.

Is a visit to the San Blas Islands suitable for children?

Yes, you can definitely come to San Blas with 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 visiting the islands and keep in mind that most places do not have special baby equipment (baby beds, baby seats or special food/drinkable water).

Please also consider our special discounts for children.

How much luggage can we bring?

We advise to bring only as little luggage as necessary because space in the cars and the boat is limited. Often you can arrange with your hotel/hostel to leave your luggage there.

Group Discount 5% Off*

Traveling in a group? Enjoy a discount of 5% if you are traveling in groups of 5 or more. 6+ islands in 3 days, the perfect mix of popular destinations & hidden treasures!

*automatically subtracted during booking process, not valid for other tours

4 Reviews
Sort By:RatingDate

Hannah

Couple Traveller

We have no words left for our experience with San Blas Frontera. This was by far the best experience we had during our travels from Costa Rica to Panama.
Luis and his friend, Federico, were taking care of us & showed us the most beautiful islands of San Blas. Now we know, how paradise looks like 😍 In the evening, they took us to some places of local Kuna people & we had so much fun together.

We’re still so happy for this trip and would recommend it every time 😍

Thank you again Luis and Federico for making this trip so special.

March 22, 2023

Denisa

Solo Traveller

Perfect choice
The best communication from the agency. In this part of world is not easy to organise something fast or with sure. This agency is special. The guide Luis is amazing and nice person 🙂 100% recommendation!

March 19, 2023

Laura

Solo Traveller

The people were super friendly and the food was amazing 🙂 we had a great time! It’s possible to buy water, beers and soda and there’s even a shower on the islands. The places chosen are very beautiful some even have some nice decorations 🙂

January 11, 2023

JP

Group Traveller

We went in a group of 4 people and had a blast on the islands! I can highly recommend it to anyone that doesn’t mind a bit rustic and enjoys beaches. The clearest water I have ever seen. The organization could at times be better, but we didn’t care too much. Food’s simple but delicious, probably freshest fish I have ever eaten – we could see the fishermen coming by and selling the chef their catch of the early morning and 2 hours later yummy fish on the plate. Perfect!

December 28, 2022
3 travellers are considering this tour right now!