One Day Tours to the San Blas Panama Islands
Posted by Travel Editor
If your time and budget is limited and you want to visit the San Blas Panama Islands, (the Kuna Yala Archipelago), there are a number of day tours operated by tour operators to the Islands. The problem is that these tours fill up fast, so you’ll have to book in advance in order to ensure a seat.
The best company which offers one day tours to the San Blas Panama Islands is Panama Travel Unlimited in Panama City. They have a variety of tours to the San Blas Panama Islands, but here we’re talking of the one day tours for those that are short for time to explore. The Panama Travel tour includes a visit to a Kuna community and one or two of the beautiful beaches on the islands. The tour departs at approximately 5:00 a.m. and will have you back in Panama City between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. approximately. Also included on the tour is the transportation in an air conditioned four by four vehicle from Panama City, boat transportation between the islands and your breakfast and lunch. The vehicles fit up to seven people and sometimes feet room can get a little tight, but, hey, this is an adventure for sure.
There are three different one day tours available ranging in price from $120 US to $135 US per person depending on the tour you want to take. There will be some beach taxes which are around $2 to $5.00 per person. You can also get a three day tour to the San Blas Islands from Panama Travel Unlimited, but we’re talking here just about the one day tour for those that don’t have a lot of time to spare.
The basic itinerary of the San Blas Islands tour by Panama Travel Unlimited is:
5.00 – 5.30 a.m. – Leave Panama City in a 4×4 Transport
8.30 – Arrive in Carti San Blas
8.45 – Launcher to island/Breakfast
9.30 – Visit Kuna community
10.30 – Visit one of the beach islands, with time for snorkeling and enjoying the beach
12-1 – Lunch
15.00 – Return to Carti
15.30 – Leave Carti by 4×4 Transport
Arrive back in Panama City between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m.
The one day tour to El Porvenir and Isla Perro costs $120 per person.
The tour to Isla Aguja Day Tour is $130 per person and the Carti including Isla Perro Day Tour will cost you $135 per person. Each tour includes some beach time and snorkeling. The El Porvenir – Isla Perro is a basic tour and offers a more simple menu of food. You’ll get more time on the beach on the Isla Aguja Day Tour and the Carti – Isla Perro tour.
So if you can only spare a day and still want to get to the San Blas Panama Islands, this is probably the best way of seeing some of the Islands. I’ll bet you’ll get a taste of the Islands and will end up desperate to come back and stay a little longer. This one day tour to the Islands is just enough to whet your whistle.
Panama Travel Unlimited in Panama City is located at Calle Primera, Edificio Stella, 7-103, Planta Baja Local “A” Diagonal a la Junta Comunal. Their telephone numbers are: (507) 395 5014 or their cellphone: (507) 67300664.
Photo courtesy of Panama Travel Unlimited. If you take any of these tours, let us know about your experiences on these San Blas Island tours.
Transport to the Kuna Yala San Blas Islands
Posted by Travel Editor
To fly to the Kuna Yala or better known as the San Blas Islands, you have the option of using either of the two national airlines, Aeroperlas or Air Panama. There are approximately 20 airstrips located in the San Blas archipelago and most of these airstrips are served by the two airlines. The most popular one is El Pouvenir which has access to a couple of accommodations nearby. If sailing, this is where you will go to check in or out of Panama. Other points of entry include Mamitupo, Playon Chico, Rio Sidra, Corazon de Jesus and Carti. There is a local tax to pay when you reach the islands and for each island you go to. You need to pay in cash and it costs about three dollars for each island.
It is also possible to drive to the San Blas Islands and then take a boat which goes to the Islands. It is best to hire an experienced driver and make your hotel bookings ahead of time. Before leaving, make sure that you check on the road conditions, weather and boat schedule. You can do this by phoning your hotel. The overland route from Panama City goes along the Interamericana to El Llano village and then over the mountains, heading north to Carti where you can catch a boat to the Islands.
Another option for getting to the San Blas Islands is travel by boat from Colon or take a sail boat – this having to be booked beforehand.
For those who like hiking, you can take a bus in the direction of Darien, get off at Canita. The hike will then take you about two and a half to three hours where you will reach either the Burbayar or Nusagrande Lodge. The next day you head to Serrania de San Blas where you can camp on the sea side. On the third day, you have to arrive in Carti before 4:00 p.m. because that’s the time of departure of the last boat to the San Blas Islands. The boat ride will cost you about $25 to go to El Pouvenir. If you want, you could take a boat to Isla Noranjos which costs about $10. US
As always, remember to take cash in small bills with you to the San Blas Islands because you won’t be able to use your credit card at most places and you won’t find any automatic cash dispenser machines. As you can see, getting to the San Blas Islands is an adventure and a very exciting one. Once you get to the Kuna Yala San Blas Islands, you will know that you have arrived in one of the most stunning tropical island paradises of all,sparsely populated, white sands and clear, crystal blue waters.
In my next post on San Blas Islands vacations, I will write about getting around the San Blas Islands, from one island to another.