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Offered languages
- English
- Spanish
Discover the untouched beauty of Panama’s San Blas Islands on this 4-day island-hopping adventure. Perfect for travelers who want more than a quick day trip, this experience takes you across five stunning islands, including the remote and pristine Holandes Cays—famous for their crystal-clear waters and vibrant reefs.
Spend your days swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on white-sand beaches, and your evenings unwinding in a simple beachfront cabin hosted by a local Guna family. Along the way, enjoy freshly prepared Panamanian meals and gain a glimpse into the unique Guna Yala culture.
With two included boat tours, you’ll explore not only the nearby islands and natural pools but also venture further to the breathtaking Holandes Cays—often considered the most beautiful part of San Blas.
Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural connection, this 4-day San Blas Islands tour offers an unforgettable Caribbean escape.
What's Included
Lunch
Dinner
Breakfast
Meeting and pickup
If booking with transportation from Panama City: Please note: Your tour is not confirmed until you provide us with your WhatsApp number, hotel name, and room number. Without this information, we will be unable to arrange your pickup. On the day of your tour, be ready in your hotel lobby between 5:00 AM and 5:45 AM. Transportation is shared (up to 6 guests per vehicle), and routes are planned to collect everyone efficiently. To avoid delays, it’s very important that you are on time. If you are not present at your designated pickup point, the tour will depart without you and no refund will be issued. Our drivers will do their best to contact you via WhatsApp, but they can only wait a maximum of 10 minutes before moving on to ensure timely service for all guests. If driving yourself to San Blas: Please contact our office for detailed driving directions and instructions. Important: Only true 4x4 vehicles are permitted to enter Guna territory. Standard SUVs (e.g., Hyundai Tucson or similar) are not allowed, as they are too small and unsuitable for the challenging mountain roads. Many travelers have been turned away for arriving in non-4x4 vehicles, so please plan accordingly.
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.
Itinerary
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1San Blas Islands
Important: If booking with transportation from Panama City: hotel pickup is between 5:00–5:45 AM. If meeting directly at the port: please arrive by 8:30 AM for your boat transfer. --------------------------------- Your journey begins early in the morning with a hotel pickup in Panama City between 5:00 and 5:45 AM, or, if you prefer, you can meet directly at the port by 8:30 AM. From there, you’ll travel through scenic rainforest roads to the dock, where a boat awaits to carry you into the stunning archipelago. The check-in process at the port can feel bustling and informal, but rest assured—the Guna community has an organized system to ensure all guests are taken care of.
3 hours • Admission ticket not included -
2San Blas Islands
During your boat ride, your lancha may make brief stops at nearby islands to pick up or drop off other travelers, giving you an authentic glimpse of daily life on the islands. Once you arrive at your island accommodation, you’ll settle into a your shared bedroom hosted by a Guna family, enjoy a freshly prepared lunch, and spend the afternoon swimming, or simply relaxing on the pristine beach before dinner.
1 day • Admission ticket free -
3San Blas Islands
Day two is all about island life and leisure. After breakfast, you can spend the day at your own pace—swimming in crystal-clear waters, sswim over tyhe the tiny neighbor island, or wandering the shores of Yansailadup island and lounging in a hammock. Take in the breathtaking scenery, observe the rhythms of island life, and immerse yourself in the tranquility that only the San Blas Islands can offer. Lunch and dinner are prepared by your hosts, allowing you to savor traditional flavors of the region while enjoying the soothing ocean views.
1 day • Admission ticket included -
4San Blas Islands
On the third day, adventure takes center stage with a half-day excursion to the Holandeses Cays, widely regarded as some of the most beautiful and remote islands in the archipelago. Explore untouched beaches, snorkel over colorful coral gardens teeming with marine life, and relax in the turquoise waters that make these islands famous. A picnic-style lunch is included during the excursion, giving you a chance to enjoy the natural beauty of the cays before returning to Isla Yansailadup.
5 hours • Admission ticket free -
5San Blas Islands
Enjoy the remainder of your day on Isla Yansailadup, explore the nearby sunken island and its large sandbank, chill in a hammock, or chat with the locals on the island. Immerse yourself in the tranquil island lifestyle.
19 hours • Admission ticket free -
6San Blas Islands
Day four begins with check-out at 8:00 AM, followed by a relaxing morning to take a last swim or stroll along the sand. After lunch, you’ll enjoy an included boat tour to nearby islands and natural pools, giving you one final opportunity to immerse yourself in the stunning scenery of the San Blas Islands. In the mid-afternoon, your lancha will return you to the port.
3 hours • Admission ticket free -
7Panama City
After the tour at around 3:00pm the boat will return to the port. If choosing our Optional shared 4x4 transfer back to Panama City (extra cost), your driver will be waiting for you to bring you back to your hotel in Panama City.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Panama City to San Blas & First Island Stay
Relax & Enjoy Island Life
Holandeses Cays Adventure
San Blas Boat Tour & Departure from San Blas
Additional info
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please DO NOT FORGET to bring your ORIGINAL Passport for the Kuna border crossing
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Additional info
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please DO NOT FORGET to bring your ORIGINAL Passport for the Kuna border crossing
- 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
- You are allowed to bring additional snacks/beverages and a cooler.
- We recommend that you bring your personal hygiene items, such as towels, sunscreen, hats, mosquito repellent.
- 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!
- Please be advised that San Blas is in the Guna territory, which is an autonomous, Indian zone. The services are very basic. The Gunas 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.
- You can rent snorkel equipment and beach toys depending on availability.
- Aside from using generators for electricity, there are no amenities and utilities as you are used to from the city. Electricity only available between 6pm and 6am. Food is basic, yet freshly prepared such as fresh fried fish, mixed seafood, chicken or lobster (at extra charge) with salad, rice or plantains.
- We will check the availability of the room 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 :)
- ⚠️ IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING San Blas is one of the most beautiful and untouched island paradises in the world — turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and the unique culture of the Kuna people. At the same time, San Blas is very rustic. Think of it more as a cultural adventure / camping trip on a tropical island, rather than a luxury holiday. ➡️ If you expect 5-star comfort, we recommend our other tours in Panama. ✅ If you come with an open mind, you’ll discover an authentic, once-in-a-lifetime experience far from mass tourism. Our Service vs. Local Service We provide excellent service during your booking process and will assist you before and during your trip. But please note: We do not own or operate the islands. Once you arrive, all services are provided by the local Kuna community, and quality may differ from what you’re used to. Service may feel slow or unorganized — this is part of the San Blas experience. ️ What to Expect in San Blas Accommodation ❌ No A/C, limited electricity ❌ No WiFi (local SIM may work, not guaranteed) Bathrooms are basic & shared, sometimes not very clean ♻️ Kuna families reuse materials — may look like “clutter” but it’s their way of life ️ Food Meals freshly prepared in local kitchens Expect simple dishes: fish or chicken, rice, salad, patacones Transportation Car ride: 2.5–3 hrs from Panama City (curvy mountain roads) Shared 4x4 SUVs (7 passengers). Extra seat = extra cost Pick-up 5:00–5:30am — be ready on time (drivers cannot wait more than 10 mins) Boat ride: 20–40 min, can be wet & bumpy depending on ocean conditions Kuna Culture Only Kuna may work in San Blas Most don’t speak English; service is simple, not hotel-style Respect, patience, and a smile go a long way Nature & Environment Ocean currents bring plastic debris (Kuna clean regularly) Sandflies common in rainy/windless season (April–Dec) → bring repellent Weather is unpredictable — rain possible anytime (no refunds for rain) Health & Safety Very limited medical care on the islands Serious issues require evacuation to Panama City (guest covers cost) Travel insurance is strongly recommended: www.taotravel365.tours/travel-insurance/ Final Note San Blas is not luxury — it’s about disconnecting, embracing a unique culture, and enjoying paradise. Come with patience, flexibility, and respect. The Kuna may be reserved, but are kind and welcoming. With the right mindset, you’ll leave with unforgettable memories of one of the most stunning places on Earth.
- There are no electrical outlets in the room, only light. You can recharge your phones and cameras in the main house.
- If booking this tour with our Transportation Option: Departure time from Panama City 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.
- In San Blas Islands there are no ATMs - please bring cash. You can buy additional drinks, snacks, souvenirs etc.
- Boat transfers may stop at other islands to pick up or drop off guests, offering a glimpse of authentic Guna island life.
- The check-in process at the port can feel busy and informal, but the Guna community has an organized system and all guests are well taken care of. During the boat ride, your lancha may make brief stops at nearby islands to pick up or drop off other travelers.
- The road to San Blas is very curvy. If you are sensitive to motion sickness, please prepare accordingly by bringing appropriate medication.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
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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.
Rating
You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
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