How to get to san blas islands and what to do keteka. Panama city to san blas islands 2 ways to travel via bus. There are a number of san blas tours from panama city either via a sailing tour or a speed boat. Hi i am hoping to visit san blas islands for a few days in august and was wondering the cheapest and best way to get there from panama city. Our beautiful islands are located on the caribbean side of panama and are part of the autonomous guna yala region. This tour of 2 days 1 nights san blas adventures aroma island in guna yala, start and ends from your hotel in panama city. Visit several islands over the course of a full day, stopping to snorkel and enjoy the whitesand beaches and tropical sunshine. San blas islands guna yala region 2020 all you need to. The most famous places for tourist to visit are panama city, bocas del toro, boquete and san blas. How to get to san blas islands from panama city keteka.
This makes the islands special in so many ways we cant even explain. The sea is ginclear and can be seen essentially wherever you turn. When i was researching about the san blas islands in panama. The real panama trs team in san blas is 100% indigenous and has been trained to meet the foreign visitors standards. This san blas day tour start and ends from your hotel in panama city. There are 2 ways to get from panama city to san blas islands by bus, ferry or taxi. The food the locals sell isnt that fantastic but you can get a cheap lobster or redsnapper meal. The 360 or so tropical islands off panamas northern coast are home to the guna people. The san blas islands of panama is an archipelago comprising approximately 365 islands and cays, of which 49 are inhabited. Another cool option is to book a room on a sailboat through airbnb. Departs all day from panama city from 56am pick up at your hotel.
There are two options to cross by water, the first is to join the crew of a private sailboat and the second is to take an organised island hopping trip through the san blas archipelago of islands. Select an option below to see stepbystep directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in rome2rios travel planner. The archipelago is composed of some 400 islands, and spreads across 226 kilometers 140 mi, stopping just shy of the colombian border. Since a revolution against the panamanian government in 1925 they have maintained political autonomy from the. Transportation from panama city to san blas san blas tour. Pearl islands or san blas islands san blas islands forum. San blas dreams san blas tours panama 2 days1 night. San blas adventures aroma island on carribean sea, from. I wish we found your info before visiting the san blas islands less than a week ago. San blas is a series of 378 islands of which only 49 are inhabited by the fiercely independent kuna indians.
This cabin features a restaurant, a coffee shop, and a terrace. The islands are postcardperfect and famous for their pearlbright beaches and serene atmosphere. There is widespread community transmission in panama. San blas islands are probally the jewl of panamas caribbean coast with over 365 islands one for everyday of the year, this place is truely unique. We are leaders in panama for tours to san blas islands. From the moment you are picked up, you are in direct contact with gunas. San blas islandhopping day trip from panama city 2020. Misty views on the way from panama city to the departure dock for the san blas islands, panama. A practical guide on how to get to the san blas islands, panama and what to do in this little pocket of paradise. This is why panama san blas tours has created unique experience to ensure best service and a happy trip for everyone. It is not easy to book the san blas islands hotel or lodge via the internet, you can do it already on the spot through panama city. These are among the most beautiful islands in all of central america.
Day tour in san blas islands all included visit 4 islands in 1 day. Whether youre looking for answers, information for your trip to san blas islands, or to book, youll find many ways to contact us right here. Heres everything you need to know to plan a successful trip. To enjoy the san blas experience islands, the best we recommend our 2 days1 night adventure san blas tour which allow you to pass more time on the island, meet the guna yala people, sleep on the island, step on a deserted islands, and more why choose us. You will have 24 hour electricity, running water, private bathroom, fan, a terrace with a stunning caribbean sea view besides you will have a hammock on which you can lay down and enjoy the sea in the privacy of your terrace. Part of the new world order of officially chartering a boat in the san blas involves this boat transfer from the port, passing the densely populated islets near shore that house several guna villages, and out to a specific islet to meet the boat captains. Officially called guna yala, its a selfgoverned archipelago inhabited by the kuna community. Sailing the san blas islands, panama roam family vacation. Rome2rios travel guide series provide vital information for the global traveller.
You can book flights at air panama or aeroperlas, but book in advance since it are all small. You can reach the san blas island by sea or from the mainland panama. In order to get to san blas islands, you need to cross the border controlled by kuna people, who allow you in as long as you are hosted by them. If there was ever a reason to visit panama, even just for a moment, then it would be to visit the san blas islands. Heres a detailed guide on the san blas islands, panama.
Consider booking refundable hotels rather than nonrefundable ones. Getting to the san blas islands is not easy thats the point. The san blas islands, panama are the perfect destination for a beach getaway. Travelling to san blas plane, sailboat or 4x4 jeep san blas islands. Tips for visiting san blas in panama the blonde abroad.
Essential things to know before visiting san blas panama hippie. This blog is to help people answer that question themselves when it comes to 2 of panamas amazing archipelagos, the san blas islands in the caribbean and. Venture off the beaten path to panamas san blas islands. Every shore has soft, real white sand and the waters are insanely clear, with shades of blue from turquoise to dark. San blas is the supermodel of panamas archipelagos. San blas islands because of the darien gap at the border between panama and columbia, travelling overland from destinations south of this region can be difficult and even dangerous. Back in colombus times you needed nautical charts and a compass. About 365 islands exist in san blas of all sizes, only 40 of which are lived on and they are truly like an island paradise.
San blas island tours panama how to get to san blas. The san blas islands are absolutely stunning to see in person but i strongly reccomend not booking a tour with panama travel ultd. I football tackled a girl into the ocean while wearing a dress in order to get the flag. Just look for the free cancellation message during your hotel search. Visit the paradisical panamanian caribbean on this day trip to the san blas islands from panama city. I wouldnt have written this article if i had chosen one of the first two options. Getting to san blas islands san blas islands forum. We will have the jeep organized to be there to pick the group up, however, this is not our company and its not included in. The kuna indians, who run all the islands as an autonomous province with minimal interference from.
The best way to visit the san blas islands explore with lora. When i decided to hop on the bus from costa ricas capital to panama city and endure another tortuously long bus ride i had convinced myself that the relaxing breeze and white sand beaches of the san blas islands would make it all worthwhile. At some islands you will have the guna ladies working on their famous molas. The san blas islands of panama is an archipelago comprising approximately 365 islands and cays, of which only 49 are inhabited. The two most popular options are to travel from cartagena or panama.
I did not snorkel on these beaches but it looked like it might be goodwe did do a whale watching tour with contadora tours and. Hostel mamallena in panama city has excellent contacts throughout the san blas area and can arrange transport, tours and accommodation anywhere you need to go. Enjoy the free local cuisine breakfast each morning. Its hard to say if san blas islands should be called heaven or paradise. The best way to get around in the san blas area is by boat, you can visit. Thankfully, sailboats from panama or colombia come with an experienced captain. San blas islands sometimes called kuna yala or guna yala archipelago are a group of nearly 400 tropical islands that are located on the northeast side of panama and are governed by kuna indians. San blas islands in panama amazing island paradise. First time going to san blas from panama city san blas islands.
Over the sea bungalows for a fraction of the cost, fresh caught seafood, and breathtaking views make this a perfect destination. A part of the comarca district guna yala along the caribbean coast. With a plethora of deserted islands, chilled caribbean vibes on one side and monster pacific swells on the other, panama sits poised to deliver the best of beach life. Prices can vary, but right now we believe that flexibility matters. Our large cabins offer all the comfort you are used to together with a great caribbean atmosphere. Now, a little background about the san blas and the kuna people who inhabit them. San blas islands guna yala region all you need to know. They lie off the north coast of the isthmus of panama, east of the panama canal. On sanblas you will find information about the guna culture, sailing, tours, accommodation and how to get there. In order to forgo the longer car trip, you can also fly into one of. On the map of the san blas islands you can see the various travel route options to the area. We decided against taking a sailboat for a few reasons. It seemed like this very difficult place to get to and that taking a day trip to san blas islands on a tour was the only option.
Read this before visiting the san blas islands, panama. Exploring the san blas islands of panama traveling islanders. Most san blas islands hotels offer free cancellation. We spent 2 nites on isla contadora and enjoyed much of itthe beaches were beautiful and varied with about 78 different ones. Part of a large archipelago, this amazing cluster of 378 islands cover an area of approximately 100 square miles. From there you can stay in san blas or take a jeep to panama city. This is the story of my visit to the san blas islands in panama and getting in touch with the kuna people. The san blas islands are located in the northwest of panama, which borders colombia in the east and costa rica in the west. So, ever keen to survive this trip, we would be getting from colombia to panama by water. The indigenous kuna people reside on the islands and although these islands are technically part of panama, they are selfgoverning by the kunas. Use us as your stop travel destination and have the confidence that youre getting a bargain. Pelicano island has been recently made famous by the netflix series, money.
The relative remoteness of the location and the limited tourist infrastructure together mean that the san blas islands are not the easiest place in the world to reach. There are pros and cons to both, and in the end, i decided to do my san blas tour via speed boat with san blas adventures. Getting to the san blas islands is easy if you know the way to go. San blas day tour to san blas islands from panama city. Boats between mainland panama and the islands do not leave that frequently, and the port is located on the other side of hilly terrain along mud track. Panama guna yala san blas islands san blas islands, current page top san blas islands hotels deals. Although only a 20minute plane ride away from panama city, a trip to the san blas islands will transport you 20 centuries into the past. San blas islands in panama the ultimate travel guide. San blas is a indian protected zone, there is still much room to improve service of many islands. Panama has a tropical climate with a wet and dry season. The local guna people live off the ocean and coconuts. The best way to get around in the san blas area is by boat, you can visit different islands within the hour and enjoy the calm clear sea. Pretty unknown to most people are the san blas islands of panama but getting there isnt that hard.
Tour includes catchoftheday lunch, use of snorkel equipment, and hotel pickup and dropoff from panama city. Bocas del toro to san blas islands 4 ways to travel via ferry, bus. The san blas islands are a group of remote islands located off of the southeastern coastline of the panama isthmus. Faq san blas adventures enjoy the islands your way. Here are some tips to help when visiting san blas in panama. When you book with us everything is included, transportation in jeep 4x4 from panama city, boats for the islands, food, tours, accommodation at the islands, etc. What to expect from your san blas islands tour, panama. The islands are mostly visited by backpackers that travel by sailboat from panama to colombia or visa versa. There are tons of ways to save on your flights to san blas islands with. The san blas islands really are an adventure from yesteryear. Getting from colombia to panama san blas island hopping. When you book with us everything is included, transportation in jeep 4x4 from panama city, boats for.
They also deal with some of the best sailing boats operating private charters in the san blas islands and between panama and colombia. They lie off the north coast of the isthmus of panama, east of the panama canal and a part of the comarca district guna yala also spelled kuna yala along the caribbean coast of panama is home to the kuna indians. Between the drug cartels and the dense jungle travellers tend to arrive in the following four ways. At about 30 minutes of driving, there is a checkpoint and you have to show your passports or residency cards. In panama san blas tours, we are commited to provide the best attention in our tours, so we guarantee our trip, we will make. To get to san blas islands, you need to book a 4wd transfer that takes 2. The tour guides were rude and did not give a shit about anything, they promised 2 tours of different islands every day and we barely got one that was an hour long, everyone else was eating these delicious and extravagant meals and we were stuck plain average meals. Travelling to san blas plane, sailboat or 4x4 jeep. Google map panama city to san blas islands how to go from panama city to san blas islands. Check out this san blas islands guide to help you plan your trip to panamas best slice.
One for every day of the year, san blas has 365 islands to rival your wildest fantasies. San blas dreams is a specialized tour operator operating from panama city since 2014. Pearl islands i have been running tours for a long time and i find that the hardest question to answer is a basic one and one that i hear a lot, what should we do. There are three ways to get to the san blas islands. Getting to the san blas islands by car involves a 2.
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