Things to see on a trip to the San Blas Archipelago Panamá?

The San Blas archipelago is one of the most impressive destinations in Panama and the world. Located in the Caribbean Sea and about 115km from Panama City, this archipelago is made up of as many islands as there are days in the year. Indeed, 365 islands and islets make up its geography and compose one of the most impressive landscapes to see in the world. The pristine beaches of San Blas are the perfect definition of paradise, with their crystal-clear turquoise waters, fine white sand and lush vegetation.

Also known as Kuna Yala or Guna Yala, this region of Panama is inhabited by families of the Guna ethnic group. The islands are often so small that only one or two families live on them, and it is they who run the tourism and accommodation there. However, despite being a popular tourist destination, this close relationship with the locals has preserved the authenticity and culture of San Blas, making the archipelago a place of dreams. Learn more about the things to do in San Blas Archipelago with Passporter.

What are the best things to do in the San Blas Archipelago, Panama?

1. Visit the different islands

As we say, the San Blas archipelago in Panama is a collection of 365 wonderful islands and probably when you organise your itinerary you’ll want to stay for a whole year so you can spend a day on each one. But don’t worry because you don’t have to, here are the must-visit islands in San Blas:

• Isla Diablo:This island can show both sides of a holiday in paradise. On the one hand, it has good accommodation and catering facilities at a cheaper price than other islands, and on the other hand, it is one of the most crowded islands in the archipelago.
• Isla Perro Chico: Opposite Isla Diablo, this is one of the most popular islands because of its proximity to Puerto Cartí, just 30 minutes by boat. It’s an ideal option if you’re not planning to stay in San Blas and are only going to spend the day, as the island has no accommodation, or if you don’t mind sleeping in a tent. If you travel to Perro Chico don’t forget your snorkelling mask, as you’ll be able to see a sunken ship and thousands of marine species on the seabed.
• Chichime Island: Another island with good infrastructure (4 cabins, restaurant and bathroom) but less crowded than the previous ones. One of the best options in San Blas if you want to combine comfort (under the circumstances) and tranquility.
•  Dutch Cays: A set of 10 islands that are very quiet and somewhat remote from each other. The Dutch Cays tend to be less crowded than the previous islands, as visitors usually come from private sailboats or catamarans. The islands have no accommodation, although some have camping areas.

2. Practice snorkelling

As you might expect, one of the favourite activities for anyone visiting the San Blas archipelago in Panama is snorkelling on the stunning seabed. It’s also a must-do activity on any organised tour, so if you decide to travel to Guna Yala this way, don’t worry, you won’t miss out on this fantastic experience!

Whatever island you’re on, snorkelling is a very worthwhile activity because of the sheer quantity and variety of life on the seabed and the beautifully preserved coral reefs. However, we do recommend this activity for professionals who know the area and the practice, as there may be the occasional encounter with a shark.

3. Ride a Catamaran

As you can imagine the most popular activities in the San Blas archipelago are aquatic. Besides snorkelling and scuba diving, one of the best experiences you can have on your paradise holiday is to ride a catamaran. It is also a very practical option for finding accommodation, as the charter companies offer crewed catamarans, bed linen and towels to sleep on board and a full menu. The catamaran crew are real experts in the area and will be able to take you from island to island so you can get to know them freely without relying on other transport. In addition, activities such as paddle surfing and kayaking are often included for a supplement.

That said, prices for such an experience are usually quite high, averaging around €1700 per day for an 8-12 seater boat.

4. Integrate yourself into the Guna culture

Besides the friendliness of the people, who will be happy to talk to you about their traditions, there is a way to immerse yourself in the Guna culture and discover its history. This is the Museum of the Guna People, on the island of Cartí Sugdupu, where the different festivities that have accompanied the Guna culture for centuries are explained. Examples of these are the celebration of haircuts and nose piercing, which represent the growth of girls. On the other hand, handicrafts are on display, especially the molas, colourful blankets used for clothing, and you can learn about the complicated technique of making them.

5. One-day guided tour of the San Blas archipelago in Panama

One of the most comprehensive ways to see San Blas is through a guided tour. It’s difficult to measure how many days it takes to make a trip to San Blas because all of its 365 islands are beautiful and have something to offer. Also, it’s not always easy to find accommodation unless you go with a package holiday, so it’s often difficult to visit the San Blas archipelago when travelling to Panama. However, if you don’t want to leave with a bad taste in your mouth and want to experience the Guna Yala, we suggest you take a guided day tour.

There are several companies that offer them. You can usually find them in hotels in cities such as Panama City and at the price around €90. Their services include meals, diving and snorkelling, as well as a tour that will take you around the main attractions of the islands and an explanation of the culture and the making of molas.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Where to sleep in the San Blas Archipelago in Panama?

Perhaps one of the most complex issues in the San Blas archipelago is where to sleep on these wonderful islands of Panama. Many of the islands are tiny and are home to just one or two families who run the accommodations, and due to the large influx of tourists it’s not always easy to find a place to rest.

A fairly common option, though only recommended for the more adventurous, is to arrive on the islands without accommodation and once there get a campsite or hut where there’s room or where one of the Kuna Yala families can take you in. Often, word of mouth works best, as you can’t find much accommodation on the internet and the price is often too high. Prices are generally around $40 per night in the cabins with breakfast, lunch and dinner included, but can vary depending on the island, the type of accommodation and the family running it.

If you like to travel with things clear and without the need to improvise, the best option is to do it with an organised tour that will provide you with transport, accommodation and food. You can hire it online or at hotels in Panama City. They will explain the different accommodation options available on the different islands thanks to agreements with the Kuna Yala families. If this doesn’t convince you, here’s an accommodation option you can book online for free:

• Enjoy San Blas (Isla Diablo): Located in El Porvenir, this accommodation has comfortable cabins, dedicated and helpful staff and meals included, but of course, the best thing is the paradisiacal natural enclave in which it is located on the beachfront. Average price per night: 180€

Where to eat in the San Blas Archipelago

There aren’t many dining options in the San Blas archipelago, as the islands are small and unspoilt, and there’s very little in the way of restaurants and leisure facilities. So the most common, and practically the only option, is to eat at your accommodation. As we have said, the Kuna Yala families offer, in addition to accommodation, a meal service (breakfast, lunch and dinner) which may or may not be included in the price. In the case of having to pay a supplement it does not usually exceed 15$.

If you also want to have your own food, we suggest shopping at a supermarket in your home destination, such as Panama City or Portovelo, including easy-to-prepare food since you won’t have a kitchen there, such as canned food or ingredients for sandwiches and, most importantly, plenty of bottles of water.

What should I know before a trip to the San Blas archipelago?

• No visa is required to enter Panama, but a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months is required.
• Be careful with your belongings, don’t display luxury items and don’t leave tourist areas.
• The official language in Panama is Spanish, although more than 19 languages are spoken.
• Vaccinations for hepatitis A and B, MMR, tetanus-diphtheria, typhoid fever are recommended, but not compulsory if travelling from Spain.
• There are two currencies in Panama, the dollar and the balboas.
• It’s best to change money before you start your trip, as there are shops and restaurants that don’t accept credit cards.
• The weather is warm all year round, but May to December is the rainy season.
• We suggest you bring your own water bottles.
• Respect the environment and take care of the fauna and flora of the San Blas archipelago in Panama
• Be covered for medical emergencies: travel insured.

How to organise what to see on the San Blas islands?

Sign up or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post).
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in the San Blas Archipelago, Panama.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to the San Blas Archipelago