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.
How to Get to the San Blas Islands
Posted by Travel Editor
Exactly how do you get to the San Blas Islands Panama?
The San Blas Islands Panama attract many of tourists each year searching for a tropical island escape, surfing on amazing waves, a backpacking adventure vacation, from all over the world. The Islands are close to Panama, on its north east coast and well connected to the mainland and can be reached quite easily.
How to get to the San Blas Islands? Tlhere are several options available to you. A 20 minute plane ride from Panama City will take you to these beautiful islands. A vast majority of people arrive in these islands by plane, though there are boats too that are available to take you to the San Blas Islands. Daily flights are available offered by Air Panama and Aeroperlas. You can book a return flight from the Aeropuerto Marcos A Gelabert or more commonly known as the Albrook Airport in Panama City for about $80 US to the Playon Chico airport in the San Blas Islands. You must book your flight in advance because there is only one flight per day and the flights fill up fast. You also must have a hotel reservation at one of the San Blas hotels so you will be picked up at the airport and taken to your accommodation.
You can reach the San Blas Islands by boat from the mainland. There are many small boats which supply essential items to the islands, which also double up as ferry service. With a little bit of luck you can easily get on one of these boats and reach your vacation island destination. You can easily find them in the harbor at Colon.
You can also find many such boats anchored in Nombre de Dios, Carti and Portobello. These boats take supplies over to the islands and you may be able to get a ride with them for a small price. Another option would be to rent a boat to take you to the island of your choice. In fact, a vast majority of visitors to these islands often rent boats. Chartered boats are a great way to explore the numerous islands of the region. They also offer you a great way to enjoy the natural splendor of the region’s rich coral life. For those looking for some adventure, hiring a kayak would be a great way to have some fun, as well as travel between the various islands.
There is a road to the San Blas Kuna yala (El Llano/Carti) and you can hire a driver to pick you up in Panama City and take you by four wheel truck to the Islands for about $25 per person, each way.
Many large cruise ships too pass through the islands. Cruise ships are the best if you want to soak in spectacular views of the islands and the coral reefs. Luxury yachts are another great way to explore the manifold natural splendors of the area. Apart from helping you travel between the various different islands, luxury yachts would also double up as world class accommodation too. This is what makes them a favorite with visitors to the islands. You can find many operators in the mainland offering yacht charter, complete with accommodation, dining and crew.
So there are several ways to get to your San Blas Panama vacation islands. Best advice is to book ahead so everything will go smoothly and you can relax and enjoy your visit to the islands.
The links to the two national airlines of Panama can be found on our Panama Travel Resources page.
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