The San Blas Islands are known for their paradise-like beaches, crystal clear water and indigenous culture. They’re a world away from the hustle and bustle of Panama City, and offer travelers an opportunity to get back to nature, relax and see some of the most stunning scenery in the country. We’ve rounded up the best day trips to the San Blas Island Day Trips to help you plan your next getaway!
Located in the Comarca de Guna Yala, the San Blas Islands are home to the indigenous Guna tribe. The tribe takes pride in their pristine and undeveloped islands and the beaches they surround. They’ve been working hard to protect their land from massive tourism, which in turn has kept the San Blas Islands healthy and downright beautiful.
Day trips to the San Blas Islands allow you to experience the beauty and learn about the Guna people firsthand. You’ll enjoy the pristine beaches, snorkel in the ocean and feast on fresh seafood while you’re there. It’s truly a unique experience and we highly recommend adding this to your travel bucket list!
One of the best things about this trip is that it aims to be as sustainable as possible. We love that they work with locals to provide services and make sure the islands are left pristine upon departure. They also practice ecotourism which means a good portion of the money you spend goes directly to the locals!
The day starts with a pickup from your hotel in Panama City and then you’ll be driven to the port of Carti. From there, you’ll hop in a speedboat (lancha) and head to any of the islands in the San Blas archipelago. Most of the lancha’s have a map of the islands and will be able to take you to any of the top beaches you want. Once you’re on an island, you can expect to hang out with your group, soak up some sun, swim and relax!
You’ll be provided with 3 meals a day and snacks throughout the day. We recommend packing some extra snacks and drinks for yourself in case you need to hold you over until the next meal! It’s also important to bring reef-safe sunscreen, as most of the generic sunscreens contain chemicals that damage coral. Also, don’t forget your bug spray! The mosquitoes in the San Blas are fierce.