All our meals onboard were amazing, from delicious bbq lobsters right on the beach, to freshly cooked snapper fish, and tender beef steak. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. We can provide from small monohulls (Bavaria 41, Beneteau 38, Endurance 35, etc ..) to bigger monohull (Oceanis 473, Amel 46, Comet 50, etc..) and catamarans up to 50feet (Lagoon 400, Nautitech 445, Salina 48, Leopard 45 and Grand Sud 47). Discover the amazing Islands of the San Blas archipelago and the fascinating culture of the indigenous inhabitants. Since the islands are inhabited by indigenous Kuna people, they speak both Spanish and Kuna language. Proof of the stunning scenery of these islands can be found in the fact that one of them appears as default wallpaper for Windows XP its the one with a tiny sand islet, with three palm trees on it and a sailing boat next to it. Theres barely a discernible dry season. Next is the Island of Chichimei, this is a pretty big island compared to Isla Banedub and Isla Perro. Pickup offered Mobile ticket Apart from snorkeling, laying on the sand and napping on the hammocks, theres not much to do. That will probably cost another US$40 each way. You can snorkel easily around the boat, even our 4-year-old kid loved it. Getting there costs around US$140/person for the return trip. Usually water taxis stop at one of the Gardi islands, around 10 minutes from the port. Our . Set indescribably beautiful aqua waters, the San Blas Archipelago are 365 Carribean stunning islands offering an opportunity to visit the island villages of the Guna natives to learn . I would recommend this trip to anyone and can't wait to return!!! There's no one around me, except for a star fish lying just a few feet. And what about the food - just delicious. Thank you for your time and for writing such a great trip report, so helpful! If you are tight on time, you can go on a day trip to San Blas departing from Panama City like this one that you can book via Get Your Guide. One of the most important islands in San Blas is Acuadup (translates to mean Rock Island) where the Kuna elders and leaders live. - Only the best catamarans with CE approved construction, security standards and professional crew - Rated 5 star on Trip Advisor - Totally customised charters, we adapt the adventure to your . So, enjoy our experience and come to navigate with us with confidence ! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Be advised that the ocean can be treacherous along this part of the archipelago, particularly as you venture further away from the islands and into open water. Visit a stunning, sparsely populated archipelago when sailing in Panama's beautiful San Blas Islands. Snorkel mask and fins are usually provided by sailboats or tours, so theres no need to bring your own unless you want to. A new paved road has been built in the last stretch, so its quite smooth sailing. They have their own Constitution, and are a strongly matriarchic society. Ask now! Getting through customs will cost you around 100 US dollars. The islands are run by the Guna people themselves, so its not really a polished, government-backed operation. Below are a couple of sailing trips that I recommend: 4 day sailing trip this sailing experience is one of the most recommended ones on third-party booking sites. This is also the most popular time to visit. Check out captains that Sail the San Blas Islands here. Blue Sailing is the premier agency operating sailboat trips between Cartagena, Colombia and Panama, through the archipelago of San Blas in the Kuna Yala territory of Panama. Catamaran Cabin Charters 3 days & 3 nights / 6 days & 6 nights, Private Crewed Charters Starting from 3 day & 3 nights, PREMIUM San Blas Cruise & City Tour Package for 7 days, Panama City / Canal / San Blas: all included 7 days Honeymoon Package, Private Crewed Charters Starting from 3 days & 3 nights. The Caribbean Sea can be pretty rough around the months October, November, December and January because of the rainy season in the area. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Its a tiny islet with just one or two Kuna family living here. If youre allergic to seafood, be sure to let your sailboat operator know. The only danger that travelers face is perhaps theft or unsanitary food. It was false advertising. Also note that the bedrooms inside the catamaran or sailboat are small and claustrophobic, so be prepared for that. The Kuna people are very protective people, and theyre always making sure that tourists are well taken care of. In this post I will share everything you need to know before visiting the San Blas Islands, Panama. Rooms are simple but not very private. Getting there costs around US$140/person for the return trip. There are actual buildings, for a start, as well as shops and a couple of restaurants. But when I actually sat for dinner, hours later, the only thing available was the usual pollo y patacones (chicken and plantains). But its not! Foreigners also need to pay an entrance fee of US$20 here. View and download my media kithere (updated May 2023). Catamarans are more spacious and comfortable, thus more expensive. This tour was something new and fresh for me. I am sailing in the San Blas Islands, Panama. Its generally safe to drink tap water in Panama, but not in the San Blas islands. Learn more 3 days (approx.) Its a long day you leave from the city at 5:00 am. Because of this, El Porvenir is different from other islands in the Guna Yala Archipelago. Share. Sailing the San Blas Islands The best way to experience the most pristine beaches and the truly dreamlike home of the Guna tribe is from the deck of a sailing ship. All those captains have a great reputation and are reliable to sail with, you can book sail-tours and for a couple of days and day-trips. Panama with Kids: My Panama Family Vacation Guide, One Week in Costa Rica: My Itinerary & Guide, Costa Rica with Kids: My Detailed Family Travel Guide, Belize it or not: Top 10 Things to Do on Caye Caulker. The Kuna mainly rely on tourism, fishing and harvesting coconuts for a living. Possibly the best lodge in San Blas. View more Welcome on board! Trade winds are at their strongest between December and mid-February, which is not a good time to visit the San Blas Islands due to rough seas this time of year. Make sure to also read my post 15 Best Things To Do In Panama. Sailing around San Blas is of course the best way to see the islands, but its also the most expensive. Most tours to the San Blas Islands from Panama City last for two days and three nights. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The sea has beautiful colors, very light blue, turquoise, dark blue .. and the coral reef offers an unforgettable scenery. -, How easy is sailing in the San Blas archipelago? Of course, visiting San Blas on a sailing trip is a little more expensive, and if you want to travel by catamaran which is more stable and overall more comfortable than a sailboat, thats even more expensive. Highly recommend the Ti Kay with Eduardo and Adrianna. Pack a light day pack for San Blas Islands suitcases are not allowed on sailboats or lancha. From only 150$ per day per person, perfect for couple or small group of friends, can be privatized Beneteau 38, Bavaria 41, Endurance 35, great and comfortable, friendly and easy going captains. Its shorter, hence a bit more budget friendly. Read our. Think endless white sandy beaches lined with palm trees and lapped by an almost transparent sea. 973. Her work has appeared in many major publications including BBC Travel, CNN and LonelyPlanet.com. Cabaas Wailidup With small overwater huts, this lodge is another good option for budget travelers. This is part of the Chibchan language family, which is spoken by indigenous groups across the Panama Isthmus and portions of northern Colombia. We sailed, snorkeled, fished, ate, and learned a ton about the islands and people who live there. However, adventurous souls can expect a healthy smattering of striking scenery and empty seas. We felt very safe here, and never once did we have any dodgy encounter. Check the rates here. If youre sailing, you may be treated to a higher-end service (lobster, for example), but this will also cost more. On Chichimei you will find allot of fellow travelers especially backpackers since they provide lodges for multiply people on Chichimei. Security, Comfort and Foodare very important to us : Have question ? The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". If youre sailing on a sail boat, free water is usually provided. The number 3 tropical paradise in the world (Lonely Planet) San Blas Island and indigenous villages. A nice and comfortable hammock for the night will cost you around 10 US dollar but breakfast and diner is included. First of all, theres the 44 drive to Carti (or Gardi), after which all you do is catch a quick boat to the islands themselves. Everything was just perfect. The islands can get packed with day-trippers, but after they leave in the afternoon, youll often find that you have whole stretches of beaches to yourself. The rocking is constant, and the waves in the Atlantic Ocean can be large (they were above 2 meters when I traveled), meaning you are almost certainly guaranteed sea sickness, and there is no way of getting off the boat for the first 24 hours. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. SanBlas-islands.com provides reliable travel advice for your trip to San Blas. There are many companies that offer sailing and catamaran trips to the San Blas Islands, and not all of them are good. Philippe and his family were welcoming and willing to share all their gear with us. Further conflict with the Spanish saw the Gunas fleeing to river banks in the Darien region today part of Panama, bordering with Colombia. The atmosphere itself was so calm and relaxing. Just dont go for the cheapest option you find! We were lucky to have found a boat run by a family. It includes almost everything including pick up from your hotel, and the price is actually very reasonable. I was really convinced Id not be affected, as I am from Sardinia and I am used to going around by boat zodiac and speedboat during the summer. As a Booking.com Associate, I earn when you book through certain links. Because of COVID, the Kuna roads and ports were closed, so we departed for the San Blas Islands from the Linton Marina, which is east of Portabello, Panama and a 6 hour sail to the western edge of the San Blas and Lemmon Keys. Electricity is provided by generators, which can often cut out. We offer sailboat trips in the wonderful islands of San Blas in Panama ! Theres no one around me, except for a star fish lying just a few feet away and my sail boat in the far distance. San Blas Islands - 2D/1N Private OVER THE OCEAN cabin , INCL. Air Panama flies the route on small 20-seaters and the flight costs around US$100 each way. -, Is exploring San Blas via boat is amazing? Check the rates here. Once again, make sure to shop around for a good company, and carefully read reviews before you book your trip. You might find a restaurant and bar at the lodges, but dont expect shops or WiFi anywhere. Panamas Caribbean coast is notoriously wet, and receives a considerable amount of rain especially when compared with the countrys Pacific coast. If youre sailing to Colombia, be advised that tourist infrastructure is virtually non-existent west of Achutupu and Uaguitupo. Six dream days.. Roberto gave us unforgettable days, sailing between the islands of San Blas and looking for us wonderful corners to swim, snorkel, explore the islands by walking. You can guess where the inspiration for this islands name came from its very much the sort of place you can imagine might have been home to a marooned or shipwrecked sailor of yesteryear. Bring cash in USD as there are no ATMs on the islands. Longer tours are in the range of four days, some of them ending in Capurgana, Colombia. Discover San Blas, the Caribbean coast of Panama with its historical sites and the Panama Canal. Learning to sail with a local captain is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and get a different perspective on the islands. Because the Darien Gap, the jungle between Panama and Colombia, is very dangerous and rough terrain to get through many people avoid it and go by sailboat from Panama to Colombia or visa versa. The San Blas Islands are largely safe, with the tightly-knit Kuna communities looking out for each other. It consists of 3 days dedicated to exploring the beautiful San Blas islands and 2 days (30-50 hours) of a unique open-sea crossing. We hope that you enjoy traveling to our beautiful islands and wish you a happy & sunny stay. Ocean to Ocean sailing trip through the Panama Canal: a fabulous trip starting in san blas and finishing in the Pacific Pearl Islands through the Panama Canal! Therefore, we give the sailing experience in San Blas a 8.7 rating out of 10! The best and most affordable way to discover the San Blas !.. Pick up is around 5-6am at your hotel, Water taxi cost around 5-15$ per person per ride (depending on the boat location), Kuna Yala entrance tax cost 22$ for non resident (12$ for resident), We work with privileged partner for transportation and can arrange it all for you. Make sure to bring enough cash for the duration of your trip and, if you can, make sure its in small denominations. After spending months researching, we went with Sail Boat Trips as the prices were the lowest. For those staying on the islands, I recommend buying big barrels of water (3L) as water that locals drink might not sit well with your stomach. Be very specific and have everything in writing. Or do you fancy a swim with Davy Jones? I would recommend to do at least a 4 days trip. I am interested in booking a 5 day /4 night sailing trip for 10 people. Temperatures remain high all year round, never falling below 20C (68F), with an average daily high of 31C (almost 88F) and a peak average temperature of 34C (little over 92F) in April. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I was solidly sick for 24 hours, and nothing I could take would help. There even are tours that go all the way to Cartagena, but those involve a solid 36 hours on the boat in what are often very rough sea conditions. Please note, however, that this journey is done via sailboat and can be quite rough not exactly ideal if youre prone to seasickness. Beautiful snorkeling on spectacular shallow reefs. Some of the islands in the archipelago charge an additional entrance fee, which is usually not more than $20 USD. Hotel El Porvenir With basic huts and simple facilities, this lodge is located on the beachfront in Playn Chico. We sailed San Blas onboard Catamaran LEclectik, with a French family who was homeschooling their kids. Do you want to become a partner of San Blas? We felt very safe here, and never once did we have any dodgy encounter. Sailboats can feel very small, especially if youve never been on one before. One of the most important islands in San Blas is Acuadup (translates to mean Rock Island) where the Kuna elders and leaders live. So if you know that you can get seasick prepare for this by taking seasickness pills. $362pp; This accommodation may not be the height of luxury, but what you do get here is a rustic cabin surrounded by an idyllic island paradise. Experience the best of the dream-like San Blas Islands on a three-day sailing tour. It was really hot during the day; the sea was quite rough (and sea sickness was an unpleasant companion throughout my trip), and it rained a bit every day. Things here will change soon enough. If sailing out in the open sea doesnt interest you, check outSan Blas Adventuresthat do party-style island-hopping trips on lancha (speedboats). Youre looking at $130-200/night for a little hut with sandy floor and a thin mattress covered by a mosquito net. Lunch would be served onboard, then it was time to relax on the hammock and nap before arriving at another island in the afternoon. Theres also a lack of hurricanes in this area, too. The Kuna people are very protective people, and theyre always making sure that tourists are well taken care of. . The crew very professional and careful. Accommodation on Chichimei arrives in the form of hammocks and the most basic of facilities. Prices are very affordable, but be prepared to sleep on hammocks. After intensive research, we ended up selecting San Blas Sailing as our catamaran agency, primarily due to the responsiveness and detailed answers from Eunice during the planning process. Also there are no ATMs on the islands, so make sure to have enough cash with you. After youve factored in the cost of transport to your budget, its then time to consider the cost of accommodation in the San Blas Islands. We spent 4 days and 4 nights and wish it could have been twice that. First of all, you can break down the costs of the trip to San Blas Islands per type of transport you take. 3 days San Blas Islands tour a similar tour to the one above, its shorter and hence cheaper. But a sailboat is different! OUR 5 PILLARS BEST CATAMARANS Fully equipped catamarans with open bar and air conditioning available. Learn more about me here My Adventures Across The World participates in several affiliate programs. Welcome to the closest thing there is to paradise! Not much English is spoken here, so be sure to learn some Spanish words before you get here. If youve been frightened by the sea in other parts of the archipelago, you can expect to be terrified here. Places that have them use it sparingly at night, and try to keep electrical consumption to a minimum. We can provide from smallmonohulls(Bavaria 41, Beneteau 38, Endurance 35, etc ..) to bigger monohull(Oceanis 473, Amel 46, Comet 50, etc..) and catamarans up to 50feet (Lagoon 400, Nautitech 445, Salina 48, Leopard 45 and Grand Sud 47). The San Blas Archipelago is without any doubt one of the most colorful and beautiful parts of Panama, if not the world. Snacks Extra food for yourself is a good idea, as theres not exactly a convenience store on every corner. There are three main options for getting to the San Blas Islands. The airstrip is on Isla Porvenir, from where you take a water taxi to your final destination. Do you remember the wallpaper Windows XP and Windows Vista used with a tiny island that had only one palm tree on it, well guess what this island lies just next to Chichimei. Melodie organized all of this on a wonderful way. Eat, sail and love! The Guna people speak the Guna language, of which are approximately 61,000 native speakers (as of 2000). If you leave the Golfo de San Blas by boat you will enter the Caribbean Sea. We will be travelling to San Blas this April-2020 with our 5 year old son. Non-vaccinated travelers will have to present a negative COVID-19 test for entry (only children under 17 are exempted. Also known by its native name Gaigirgordub, El Porvenir is the capital and main port of the San Blas Islands. The perfect all-inclusive honeymoon getaway. Its what I did and it took us a total of 12 hours (of tremendous suffering, if I may add) to get to Porvenir, the first island of the archipelago. -, Is a sailtrip an adventure you wont forget? A peace treaty was established, with the Guna People rejoining Panama but maintaining sovereignty over their traditional homelands. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. From our first information request to the end of the tour communication was fantastic. Hi, my name is Claudia. KEEN footwear or normal sandals might be useful to walk on beaches strewn with seashells or corals. Even though I felt like I was eating all of the time, I still lost a few pounds because the food was so fresh and healthy. Another popular stop is Perro Chico, which has a lodge with a big picnic area.
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