Have you heard about Panama’s most secluded paradise beaches? Take a tour to the San Blas islands of Panama, where turquoise waters, crystal clear snorkeling opportunities, sunken ships, and mesmerizing tropical enclaves await your wanderlust.
Whether you are looking for unspoiled sands, a peaceful time by the Caribbean sea, or a laid-back island experience that you will never forget, the San Blas islands have everything you need for a blissful day tour
Where are the San Blas islands?
The San Blas islands are found along the northern coast of Panama in an area commonly known as Guna Yala. This area contains roughly about 378 beautiful tropical islands, but only a small number of about 49 islands are actually inhabited, and even fewer are available for tourists to visit.
This stunning archipelago has unspoiled white sand beaches, bioluminescent waters, and views of the ocean that simply take your breath away. If you love the Caribbean, then this is about as Caribbean as you can get. It’s a paradise for ocean lovers, beach lovers, and tourists seeking to experience some extraordinary spots to unwind.
How to get to the San Blas Islands from Panama City
Transportation to the San Blas islands needs to be booked in advance since it is a 2 ½ hour car ride from Panama City to the port of Cartí and then an additional ½ hour boat ride to the islands. This means that in total, the San Blas islands are approximately 3 – 3 ½ hours from Panama City.
The easiest way to get there is by booking a San Blas tour and having your guide take you in a 4×4 to the port and across to the islands by boat. However, there are also some other alternatives. Tourists can arrive on the islands by boat, by traveling up the coast via Catamaran or sailboat, or there is even an option on one of the islands to arrive in a small plane on the El Porvenir airstrip.
Top tip: Whilst many tours include the transport, they sometimes do not include the entry fee, which is about $25 USD, and a port fee, which is usually about $3 USD, so make sure that you have some limited cash with you for your trip.
Who owns the San Blas islands?
Whilst most tourist locations are managed by the government or by big brand hotel or resort chains, San Blas has none of this. Being located in an autonomous indigenous region, the San Blas islands are a safe oasis for ecotourism, and the islands themselves are owned by the Guna (also pronounced Kuna) people.
This means that there will always be a conserved nature aspect to this location where wildlife can flourish, nature can be preserved, and its beauty can be admired. In fact, not even the Panamanian government can try to do much with this area since it has its own laws, indigenous culture, and local administration.
Visitors will be happy to know, though, that the Guna people are extremely welcoming to tourists and enjoy hosting visitors from around the world to explore each of their secluded island havens. This provides a lot of benefits to the locals, and the select islands chosen for visitation have become one of their main sources of income without interfering with their way of life.
Which San Blas island is best to visit?
There are a lot of islands to choose from, and which ones you visit can depend a lot on which San Blas Island tour you choose. So let’s break them down to give you a brief overview of each one.
Isla Perro – The Dog Island
One of my favorite spots. This is one of the coolest spots for snorkeling and free diving since there is a sunken ship that you can explore underwater just off the coast. Some divers even swim through the old navy gunboat and out the side.
The island of Isla Perro also has a bar, a volleyball court, and camping facilities.
Isla Pelicano – The Pelican Island
Pelican Island, also known as Gorginega or Gorgidub, has become famous as the filming site for the series Money Heist. With calm shores, gentle waves, shallow waters, and stunning tropical scenery, it’s a movie-worthy scene worth experiencing.
Most people visit the island for the beach or to stay in a cabin overnight, and it is one of the best spots for photos.
Cayos Holandeses – Dutch Cays
Untouched coral reefs, pristine beaches, and glimmering turquoise waters. The Dutch Cays of the San Blas Archipelago are renowned for being among the most beautiful islands in Panama. With deserted sands, you can often enjoy entire shores to yourself, making it ideal for nature spotting, photo sessions, and lazy days of privacy and seclusion.
Chichime island
Chichime Island is part of the Lemon Keys and is one of the biggest islands you can visit in the San Blas region. Known as a popular spot for overnight stays in the Cabins, it is a peaceful sanctuary run by a very welcoming family where you can unwind, sit back, and relax to your heart’s content. Due to its size, this is also one of the few islands ideal for beach walks and is a central point for boats to other activities.
Kuanidup Island
In all of San Blas, Kuanidup is the best spot for staying overnight. Though still technically a cabin, they call it a hotel or lodge, and the sleeping conditions are a lot more enjoyable for Westerners compared to the other islands. Whilst not 5-star, these eco-friendly lodgings are definitely a few stars higher than the rest.
Isla Diablo – Devil Island
Wanting to explore more? Take a trip to Devil Island. What will you find here? Well, that’s the whole point of exploring. But it is certainly a great place for adventure, and the natural beauty here is vibrant and enchanting. A place that needs to be discovered.
Discover 5 San Blas island tours you will love!
Now that you have had a look at some of the best San Blas islands, let’s take a deep dive into the top San Blas tours and excursions available so that you can start planning out your trip.
9-hour San Blas snorkeling and kayaking tour
Enjoy a transfer from Panama City to San Blas to see one of the lesser-known spots of San Blas: Myria Island. This is a wonderful opportunity for travelers seeking exclusivity and seclusion. Enjoy a natural pool, great snorkeling opportunities, lunch, drinks, and a trip back to the city once you’re finished.
Cost: $189 USD per person.
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14-hour day trip to the San Blas islands
Visit 4 different islands in San Blas with this full-day tour. Snorkel among a shipwreck, try paddleboarding, kayaking, pickleball, minigolf, and more, with round-trip transportation to your hotel. This is a tour that gives you the freedom to explore independently and take the day at your own speed. There is plenty to do, lunch is included, and you get to uncover the wonders of Dog Island, Devil’s Island, Misdub, and a Natural Swimming pool.
Cost: $149 USD per person.
2 days exploring the San Blas islands with a Catamaran tour
Looking for something more luxurious. Whilst you won’t find luxury on the islands, you can arrive in a lavish-looking catamaran that allows you to experience this upscale sailing tour in style. Whilst a lot more costly, this is something you will never forget. Snorkel in the top spots, unwind in a private suite, and indulge your senses. It even has hot water! All meals are included, and pickup is from your hotel in Panama City.
Cost: $870 USD per person.
3-day boat tour to San Blas
Spend 3 whole days enjoying the tropical sunshine of San Blas. In this tour, you get to stay on 2 different islands, visit 5 islands, 2 natural swimming pools, and 1 Guna community. It’s an all-encompassing experience full of activities, meals, boat transfers, swimming, snorkeling, an interactive itinerary, and of course, an easy pickup and drop-off at your hotel.
Cost: $399 USD per person.
4-day tour to San Blas with 7 different island experiences
Want to experience even more? Try this 4-day tour where you can check out 7 different San Blas islands. With 3 nights on 3 different islands, you get to uncover even more and enjoy the fullest experience available in seclusion, natural wonder, and with breathtaking views of the Caribbean ocean.
Cost: $599 USD per person.