San Blas Island Activities
Posted by Travel Editor
What to do on your San Blas Island Vacation
The range of activities you can find in San Blas Islands are a plenty on these beautiful islands. From experiencing the culture of the local Kuna Indians to boating around the islands where you can marvel at the beauty of this tropical paradise, there will be never a dull moment for you or your family during your vacation here. The San Blas islands are also an ideal romantic getaway or a honeymoon destination. Some of the hotels have their own restaurants and bars and their hotels consist of lovely cabanas built on stilts over the water with balconies and a hammock, where you can lay back and watch the sea and some gorgeous, memorable sunsets. The photo opportunities are endless. Just working on your tan and swimming could be one of your favorite activities on your San Blas Islands Panama vacation.
From relaxing in a hammock on a lazy hot day, strolling on the beach, snorkelling at any one of the nearby islands or, if you are interested in scuba diving on the coral reefs or finding shipwrecks to explore, there is lots to do or nothing to do. Whichever you prefer. Hiking is plentiful whether you are on your own or with your family. Birdwatching and nature lovers will find themselves in a tropical paradise full of amazing bird and tropical fauna for you to observe. The San Blas islands are a birdwatcher’s paradise. A Kuna tourist guide can assist you when you want to explore the lush rainforests found in the San Blas Islands.
You can visit a Kuna Indian communities near your San Blas hotel where you can learn of their way of life and can buy some of their handicrafts, or the beautiful molas made by the Kuna women. They have continued with their way of life and language since a bloody rebellion in the early 20th century. In the 1950s, the Panamanian government gave them these islands where they could live their traditional life. They own these islands and they govern themselves. You can photograph the Kuna people, but you should give them a dollar tip for modeling for you. They are a friendly and warm people and welcome you to their islands.
The island of Isla Perro (Dog Island) is a must visit destination here. The natural splendour of the coral reef here has to be seen to be believed. The colorful tropical fish filled reef is an amazing sight, offering you wonderful opportunities to explore the rich undersea life here. Bring an underwater camera with you. Snorkelling and scuba diving enthusiasts will find it offers great opportunity to explore the underwater world. The coral reef surrounds almost the entire island. The owners will charge you one dollar to go to the island and they sell molas, other handicrafts and shells. The white sand beaches are absolutely gorgeous with thatched huts and lazy palms on the beaches along the shoreline.
For snorkelling and diving enthusiasts you can rent your equipment if you don’t have your own and your Kuna tourist guide can take you by boat to some of the best locations on some of the uninhabited islands which make up the San Blas Islands . You can also rent a boat by yourself if you are knowledgeable enough and know where to go.
One of the wonderful things you can do here on your San Blas vacation is that it is possible to rent your own private island by the day if you want to splurge and experience being on an island by yourself or with your romantic partner. There are so many secluded beaches around the San Blas Islands that if it’s peace and privacy you want, you will be sure to find it here. A Kuna guide will take you to this isolated island by canoe, dugout boat or motor boat. A San Blas Island vacation is a stress reduction vacation for sure, if that is what you are looking for.
If you are a lover of seafood and tropical fruits – you are really going to enjoy yourself. The fish and lobster and literally “just caught” and you will probably eat lots of it in your hotel restaurant or one of the other restaurants on the San Blas Islands. If you are vegetarian, the restaurant at your San Blas hotel will gladly prepare a vegetarian menu for you.
There best thing to do in the San Blas Islands is relax by the blue crystal clear sea with palm trees behind you or lie back in one of the hammocks and think about life or nothing in particular, so if you like to be hyper-busy, we would suggest just visiting the islands for a couple of days and staying overnight in one of the San Blas hotels.
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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.