3-days San Blas Islands Hopping Tour

We plan to visit at least 6 islands incl. a natural swimming pool during the 3-day trip, often times visiting 10 and more. The exact itinerary depends on the weather, season and availability of the islands. You can find a potential itinerary above. 

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.

For a full day out on the water and in the sun, please dress accordingly and bring the following:

Mandatory:

• Passport: checked by police 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 recommended) – no credit cards, no ATM in San Blas

Recommended:

• Sun protection: for the island and the boat ride (sun blocker, hat, T-shirt with sleeves, towel)
• Towels
• Drinking water: 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 (we have a few snorkels but we recommend bringing your own for full comfort)

Wrap sensitive items and put them in a waterproof bag during the boat ride. Keep your passport and cash with you during the car ride for the passport check and entrance fee payment.

We regret to inform you that we are unable to provide luggage storage facilities in Panama City or at the dock in Cartí, San Blas. Therefore, you will be required to carry all your luggage with you for the entire duration of your visit to the San Blas Islands. 

This is why we advise you to bring only as little luggage as necessary on the trip because space in the cars and the boat is limited. We recommend a maximum of one luggage item plus a small carry-on. While suitcases are not impossible, they can be harder to handle, especially when navigating sandy terrain. 

Often, you can make arrangements with your hotel/hostel  in Panama City to leave your luggage there. If this is not possible, you can of course bring your luggage with you on the trip. 

Yes, this trip is absolutely suitable for children and they usually love it! The San Blas Islands are a great place for families to enjoy a fun and adventurous vacation together. Children can explore the beautiful beaches, go swimming and snorkeling in the clear waters, and learn about the unique Kuna culture. Kuna people are very welcoming and love to interact with children, making it a great cultural experience for kids.

For the this 3-day Island Hopping trip, we recommend that children be at least 6 years old. This is because we will be out all day, hopping between islands, and only arriving at the main island in the afternoon to relax. However, rest assured that children can take naps on the boat or find shady spots on the islands throughout the day.

Alternatively, we have a special recommendation for families with small children. We suggest opting for an overnight stay on one of the islands where you can spend most of your time in a single location. This allows for a more relaxed experience, and in the afternoon, you can go on a ca. 3-hour tour to explore nearby islands. This option is ideal for families with young kids, providing a balance between exploration and relaxation.

It’s important to bring sunscreen, hats, and other protective gear to keep children safe from the sun and sufficient water to stay hydrated. We prioritize the safety and well-being of our young guests, and we want to ensure they have a memorable and enjoyable experience in a comfortable and protected environment.

Overall, the 3-day island hopping trip is a wonderful experience for families with children, and we highly recommend it! Don’t forget to check out our discounted offers for children who are 9 years old or younger. If you have any specific questions or concerns about bringing children on the trip, please feel free to contact us. We are here to assist you and make your family’s adventure in San Blas unforgettable.

Yes, we have snorkels and masks available for you to use, although we suggest that you bring your own to ensure a comfortable and safe snorkeling experience.

The San Blas Islands experience a tropical climate with relatively consistent temperatures throughout the year and is worth a visit year-round! The weather is mainly influenced by the Caribbean Sea and the trade winds and can vary between sectors and islands. Generally speaking: 

1. Dry Season (December to March/April): lower humidity, little rainfall, plenty of sunshine & clear blue skies, strong winds (trade winds). Temperatures: 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F). Best time for visiting the San Blas Islands, but on the downside more crowds and worse visibility for snorkeling in case of rougher seas from the trade winds. 
2. Transition Season (May & June, November): transition from dry to rainy season. Slightly more unpredictable weather, mix of sunny days with occasional showers (30-60min usually), mainly in the afternoon. Temperatures similar as in dry season.
3. Rainy Season (July to October): more frequent showers & thunderstorms, usually in short bursts  (30-60min usually, mainly in the afternoon) followed by sunshine, little wind, temperatures 25°C to 31°C (77°F to 88°F). Off-season with less crowds, better visibility for snorkeling with calmer seas. 

It is possible that outside of the dry season you will experience some rain during this trip. That doesn’t mean that it rains nonstop. Instead, there are good chances that it might rain every day, but if so then most likely in the afternoon as a quick downpour followed by sunshine. Since temperatures will still be warm, even when it’s raining, and you’ll still have sun, visits to the San Blas Islands will still be enjoyable. In fact, that’s what Panamanians do – visit the beach all year long. 

This trip operates throughout the year, and our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our guests. We closely monitor weather conditions and follow the guidance of the local maritime office to ensure the utmost safety during the tour. In the rare event of extreme weather conditions, it may be necessary to cancel or modify the itinerary.

If there are rains or storms, we are prepared to adapt our itinerary as needed. Our experienced team will assess the situation and make adjustments, such as changing the order of our planned activities or visiting islands in more protected areas (e.g. closer to the coastline). 

We offer the option to stay for an additional night after the official tour has ended. The guided part of the tour ends on Day 3 in the afternoon. You can stay for an additional night & day on the island where you slept the second night, allowing you to enjoy a leisurely and relaxed experience to unwind and fully relax towards the end of your stay after 3 days full of activities. If desired, there is also the option to join one of the afternoon tours offered & run by that island on Day 4 (not by us), participation is entirely optional. 

This additional day is $55/75 USD per person (dorm cabin/private cabin) and includes 3 meals, departure will be on Day 4 in the afternoon with return to Panama City at around 7pm. Alternatively, departure in the morning after breakfast with return to Panama City at around 1pm. 

You can add the additional nights in the booking process (add 1 night per person) or via email at reservaciones@sanblasfrontera.com

A visit to the San Blas Islands promises a unique experience unlike any other vacation you’ve taken. The local Kuna people own and operate all businesses in San Blas by law, foreign investments are prohibited and foreigners/Panamanias are not allowed to conduct any business or work in San Blas, so you’ll have a chance to engage with the community and support their economy. Most of the cabins are managed by large families, providing livelihoods for many locals who have lived on the islands for generations, with limited exposure to the hospitality industry.

However, reaching the islands is a challenging journey as they are situated far from the mainland, making it difficult to import essentials such as building materials, gasoline, and food. All supplies must be sourced in Panama City, transported via 4WD to Carti, and then redistributed to smaller sellers and cabins for an additional fee. The islands have no infrastructure, including electricity or running water, and locals live in harmony 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, and we ask that you leave behind any expectations that you may have from mainland life. The simplicity of the cabins reflects a blend of traditional lifestyles and expensive material sourcing as external funding is prohibited. Likewise, the meals served are mostly based on local food patterns such as fish or seafood with rice, with limited access and attempts to cater to foreign tastes with some sides and salads. Drinking water is a luxury, that needs to be imported from Panama City, and electricity and fresh water require great effort to provide, with usage times sometimes limited. Bed linens are either washed by hand in the river on the mainland or sent to Panama City. There is no communal trash collection or recycling system, and only a few locals speak English, with some not even speaking Spanish.

Nevertheless, we collaborate closely with cabin owners to ensure that your stay is remarkable, with clean and functioning facilities and outstanding service.

With this in mind, be ready to jump into your island adventure! Once you arrive on the island, you will most likely discover that modern-day luxuries are unnecessary in such a beautiful environment, and that the simple and relaxing lifestyle that the Kuna people live has its own charm.