San blas is open
The Islands of Guna Yala (known as San Blas) are officially Open for tourists
THESE ARE THE NEW CONDITIONS FOR DAYTOURS (Updated as of October 12, 2021):
- If you are vaccinated, only bring a copy of your Vaccination card 📍
If you are NOT vaccinated, an Antigen Test (Negative) is highly recomended 📍
- WE WILL VISIT 2 ISLANDS AND THE NATURAL SWIMMING POOL
- 5 GUESTS PER VEHICLE
- OVERNIGHT STAYS ARE PERMITTED. THE GUNA CABINS THAT ARE BOOKED CANNOT BE CANCELLED THEREFORE, NO REFUNDS WILL BE PROCESSED.
THE REAL PANAMA TRS IS NOW OFFERING THIS EXPERIENCE AGAIN AND OUR SAN BLAS TEAM IS READY!
THESE ARE THE NEW CONDITIONS FOR DAYTOURS (Updated as of October 12, 2021):
- If you are vaccinated, only bring a copy of your Vaccination card 📍
If you are NOT vaccinated, an Antigen Test (Negative) is highly recomended 📍
- WE WILL VISIT 2 ISLANDS AND THE NATURAL SWIMMING POOL
- 5 GUESTS PER VEHICLE
- OVERNIGHT STAYS ARE PERMITTED. THE GUNA CABINS THAT ARE BOOKED CANNOT BE CANCELLED THEREFORE, NO REFUNDS WILL BE PROCESSED.
THE REAL PANAMA TRS IS NOW OFFERING THIS EXPERIENCE AGAIN AND OUR SAN BLAS TEAM IS READY!
Here is our san blas Daytour itinerary
Starting time is 5:25 am (Yes, you must be ready and waiting at the lobby at 5:25 am). There will be 6 guests per vehicle.
Travel Time from Panama City: 2 hrs, each way
Boat travel time: 30 minutes each way
Lenght of tour: 12 hours (including commuting time) or less, if you wish to finish earlier
1. We pick you up at 5:25 am
2. Head up to the beautiful mountains of San Blas. Roll the windows down and inhale all that fresh air.
3. Around 9:00 am you should be arriving at the port of Cartí
4. My team is waiting on you and the boat ride to the islands begins
(No need to figure anything out, we willl take you from the car to the boat)
5. The tour begins
6. You will visit 1 island and the natural swimming pool
(The islands we visit are chosen at my team's discretion. We always look for islands with less people to give you more privacy).
7. I organize and follow up on this tour every step of the way. Keep in mind, you will be on a indigenous reservation and their english is limited
8. Only fruits provided
10. By 3:30 pm We exit the island to comply with the regulations of the Guna congress
11. By 6:45 pm you should be at your hotel
*It is mandatory to bring passports, no copies, original valid passports only.
*It is mandatory to bring vaccination card + negative covid test
🔷
The value of this fantastic Daytour:
$159 + 10% taxes per person (low season)
$169 + 10% taxes per person (high season)
$100 + 10% taxes kids 8-10
$75 + 10% taxes kids 1-7
Includes:
All taxes (entrance, port, islands)
Shared Transportation
Shared boat
Tour through 1 island and natural swimming pool
Fruits
*No hidden fees
Travel Time from Panama City: 2 hrs, each way
Boat travel time: 30 minutes each way
Lenght of tour: 12 hours (including commuting time) or less, if you wish to finish earlier
1. We pick you up at 5:25 am
2. Head up to the beautiful mountains of San Blas. Roll the windows down and inhale all that fresh air.
3. Around 9:00 am you should be arriving at the port of Cartí
4. My team is waiting on you and the boat ride to the islands begins
(No need to figure anything out, we willl take you from the car to the boat)
5. The tour begins
6. You will visit 1 island and the natural swimming pool
(The islands we visit are chosen at my team's discretion. We always look for islands with less people to give you more privacy).
7. I organize and follow up on this tour every step of the way. Keep in mind, you will be on a indigenous reservation and their english is limited
8. Only fruits provided
10. By 3:30 pm We exit the island to comply with the regulations of the Guna congress
11. By 6:45 pm you should be at your hotel
*It is mandatory to bring passports, no copies, original valid passports only.
*It is mandatory to bring vaccination card + negative covid test
🔷
The value of this fantastic Daytour:
$159 + 10% taxes per person (low season)
$169 + 10% taxes per person (high season)
$100 + 10% taxes kids 8-10
$75 + 10% taxes kids 1-7
Includes:
All taxes (entrance, port, islands)
Shared Transportation
Shared boat
Tour through 1 island and natural swimming pool
Fruits
*No hidden fees
About my guna indigenous people
Please be mindful, the guna indigenous people have their own dialect and they speak some spanish as well.
Useful phrases that will get you a long way there are:
Nuegambi - Nu e gam bi = How are you?
pronounced Noo - e - gum - be
Anahi - a na i = My friend
promounced ah - nah - e
Nuedi - nu e di = Thanks
pronounced noo - eh - dee
Be kind and patient with the gunas and you'll win their hearts!
My entire team is conformed by gunas because we want you to know them, to interact with them and to understand their way of living.
We should be polite and try to communicate with them because that is part of the experience. How? smile and use sign language, it always works.
Since this is a structure tour and simply island hopping, everything is pre arrange so you will be ok.
The Real Panama team in San Blas knows exactly what they are doing.
Please relax!.
Useful phrases that will get you a long way there are:
Nuegambi - Nu e gam bi = How are you?
pronounced Noo - e - gum - be
Anahi - a na i = My friend
promounced ah - nah - e
Nuedi - nu e di = Thanks
pronounced noo - eh - dee
Be kind and patient with the gunas and you'll win their hearts!
My entire team is conformed by gunas because we want you to know them, to interact with them and to understand their way of living.
We should be polite and try to communicate with them because that is part of the experience. How? smile and use sign language, it always works.
Since this is a structure tour and simply island hopping, everything is pre arrange so you will be ok.
The Real Panama team in San Blas knows exactly what they are doing.
Please relax!.
Includes:
All taxes (entrance, islands, port)
Shared Transportation from / to hotel (6 guests per vehicle)
Shared boat (with up to 20 guests)
Tour of 3 island and natural swimming pool
Lunch (fish and plantains)
The Guna Yala Archipelago has more than 350 islands. Many of those islands are still virgin. These are one of our most beautiful crystal clear water beaches in Panama and the world. For sure!
*No hidden fees
All taxes (entrance, islands, port)
Shared Transportation from / to hotel (6 guests per vehicle)
Shared boat (with up to 20 guests)
Tour of 3 island and natural swimming pool
Lunch (fish and plantains)
The Guna Yala Archipelago has more than 350 islands. Many of those islands are still virgin. These are one of our most beautiful crystal clear water beaches in Panama and the world. For sure!
*No hidden fees
Cabins and Overnight Stays in san blas
Would you like to spend a Night at San Blas in Paradise? We can accomodate you.
We ONLY offer private cabins. Our Basic traditonal cabins share the shower and bathroom. Our Wood cabins are totally private and have their own toilet and bathroom.
For cabins on the water, please contact us.
We ONLY offer private cabins. Our Basic traditonal cabins share the shower and bathroom. Our Wood cabins are totally private and have their own toilet and bathroom.
For cabins on the water, please contact us.
Basic cabin
$199 + 10% taxes per person (low season)
$210 + 10% taxes per person (high season)
$150 + 10% taxes kids 8-10
$100 + 10% taxes kids 1-7
$199 + 10% taxes per person (low season)
$210 + 10% taxes per person (high season)
$150 + 10% taxes kids 8-10
$100 + 10% taxes kids 1-7
Wood cabin
$260 + 10% taxes per person (low season)
$280 + 10% taxes per person (high season)
$175 + 10% taxes kids 8-10
$125 + 10% taxes kids 1-7
$260 + 10% taxes per person (low season)
$280 + 10% taxes per person (high season)
$175 + 10% taxes kids 8-10
$125 + 10% taxes kids 1-7
Includes:
- All taxes (entrance, port, islands)
- Shared Transportation from and to hotel (6 guests per vehicle)
- Shared Boat with up to 20 guests
- Tour to 3 island and natural swimming pool
- Day 1: Lunch and dinner
- Day 2: Breaksfast and Lunch
* We include bottle of water with each meal
Pick up time on Day 1: 5:20 am
Returning time on Day 2:
Option 1: 8:00 am / arriving in Panama City at 12 noon
Option 2: 3:30 pm / arriving in Panama City at 6:45 pm
Returning time on Day 2:
Option 1: 8:00 am / arriving in Panama City at 12 noon
Option 2: 3:30 pm / arriving in Panama City at 6:45 pm
*No hidden fees
Important:
The value of the tours showen are for departures from Panama City.
Tours starting at any resort outside of Panama City will be subject of an additional 15%.
Overnight stays are at the following islands:
Icodub: Mid size island. 10 cabins. Rustic and Wood Private cabins available. Some cabins have private shower and bathrooms. The beach is beautiful.
Asserbayaladup: : Mid size island. Private Rustic cabins only. Shared bathrroom. The beach is beautiful.
Diablo: Mid size island. Private Rustic cabins only. Shared bathrroom. The beach is beautiful
Waili: Private cabins on the water.
Only 10 cabins. private shower and bathrooms. Seasonal island, Recommended December through March only.
During the rest of the year, due to no wind, may have sand flyes.
Tortuga: Tiny island, Gorgeaus.
Only camping.
Beautiful corals around.
One of my favorites.
Kikirdub: Small island.
Cabins are gorgeaus.
No beach. Yeap, no beach (weird uh). You must take a boat to go to the nearest beach.
The closest beach is at 10 minutes.
Away from other toursity islands.
Unique.
Small Dog Island: Small - Mid size island.
Big house - Private rooms.
Only Shared bathrroom.
The beach is beautiful.
This is one of the top islands and it costs more than other islands.
All these islands are beautiful, well kept and clean
Important:
The value of the tours showen are for departures from Panama City.
Tours starting at any resort outside of Panama City will be subject of an additional 15%.
Overnight stays are at the following islands:
Icodub: Mid size island. 10 cabins. Rustic and Wood Private cabins available. Some cabins have private shower and bathrooms. The beach is beautiful.
Asserbayaladup: : Mid size island. Private Rustic cabins only. Shared bathrroom. The beach is beautiful.
Diablo: Mid size island. Private Rustic cabins only. Shared bathrroom. The beach is beautiful
Waili: Private cabins on the water.
Only 10 cabins. private shower and bathrooms. Seasonal island, Recommended December through March only.
During the rest of the year, due to no wind, may have sand flyes.
Tortuga: Tiny island, Gorgeaus.
Only camping.
Beautiful corals around.
One of my favorites.
Kikirdub: Small island.
Cabins are gorgeaus.
No beach. Yeap, no beach (weird uh). You must take a boat to go to the nearest beach.
The closest beach is at 10 minutes.
Away from other toursity islands.
Unique.
Small Dog Island: Small - Mid size island.
Big house - Private rooms.
Only Shared bathrroom.
The beach is beautiful.
This is one of the top islands and it costs more than other islands.
All these islands are beautiful, well kept and clean
FAQ's about San Blas and the Weather
Quite honestly I don't understand why so many concerns.
San Blas or Guna Yala is not in Jupiter or Mars. It is right here.
San Blas is simply an autonomous indigenous reservation, with their own rules. It belongs to Panama, however, they have different customs and traditions and a General Congress that makes the important decisions.
I promise, you will not be taking a space shuttle. You’ll be here, right here, on earth, in paradise.
There are a few things we believe are really important you consider:
- You should not expect the indigenous to speak english. The gunas speak their own language: Guna and español. This is Panama and in this country, hablamos español.
- No buses go to San Blas. Only private transportation is available to go there
- Only drivers with special permit from the General Congress are allowed to enter
- The road is good
- Daytours depart at 5:20 am and return at 6:45 pm approx. (it cannot be changed)
- Everyone must show a valid original passports. This is mandatory, no exceptions. The passport cannot be expired.
- Even kids must pay to go to San Blas because they will have their own seats
- Yatchs have been banned from doing tours at the islands
Question 1
How the weather in San Blas is going to be?
No one knows.
I understand you want me to say is going to be sunny and beautiful but the true answer is: In Panama in general, the weather is UNPREDICTABLE, so we don’t know how the weather will be.
For sure it is not going to snow (if that helps).
No one, absolutely no one will be able to tell you what you want to hear.
The advise is to enjoy the day as it comes and please, don’t stress me or yourself looking at the forecast. Please! I am not a meteorologist.
Question 2
How far is San Blas and how long does it takes?
It is 2.5 hours away from Panama City, including a short stop at supermarket.
All the tours start at 5:20 am and you should be back by 6:45 pm.
Question 3
How much time do we spend at each island?
Approximately 1 hr and 45 minutes on each island.
You visit 3 islands including the Famous Perro Chico (Small Dog).
The other islands would be chosen by my team based on the weather and the sea conditions.
Normally the other islands are one of the following: Icodub, Aroma, Devil's island, Big dog or Waili.
You will have 20-30 minutes at the Natural Swimming Pool with starfish.
Question 4
Do we have interaction with indigenous?
The Real Panama Trs Team in San Blas is 100% indigenous and has been trained to meet the foreign visitors standards.
From the moment you are picked up, you are in direct contact with gunas.
At some islands you will have the guna ladies working on their famous molas.
Our crew is guna.
The gunas speak spanish and their own language: Guna. Their english is limited.
They speak basic english. They understand basic commands.
Remember that you are visiting their territory, therefore, they don't have to speak your language. We should be polite and try to communicate with them because that is part of the experience. How? smile and sign language.
Since it is a structure tour, basically island hopping with lunch included and everything pre arrange, you will be ok.
The Real Panama team in San Blas knows exactly what they are doing.
I organize your tour and follow up with my team all day long
Question 5
Why do we have to leave so early?
San Blas It is 2.5 hours away from Panama City. We normally arrive around 8:45 am, depending upon traffic. From the port of Carti it will take about 30 minutes to get to the 1st island and from the 1st island it will take less than 10 minutes to visit the other ones.
Question 6
Why does it cost $155?
Taking anyone to San Blas involves many expenses: Private Transportation back and forth, only in 4x4 vehicles, experienced drivers with permit, entrance fees, port taxes, island fees, boat fare, lunch, among others.
The value of this tour is nowhere near close to what it should be based on the amount of logistic required and all the people involved.
Question 7
Are there mosquitoes or Zika in San Blas?
No reason to be concerned about Zika either unless the panamanian authorities raise an alert.
The islands you visit are not located within the indigenous communities and have the basic infrastructure required for tourists such as bathrooms.
We are always aware of any news to keep our guests safe.
As any caribbean island with palm trees, there may be a few mosquitoes but nothing to be worry about.
Question 8
How many people per vehicle and how many on the boats?
6 guests will be on each vehicle. 6 is the maximum allowed per vehicle.
We can arrange private transportation for an additonal cost.
Our boats, on the other hand, have a capacity for 20 people. Normally the boat is shared. It is common to get on the boat with indigenous people because indigenous help each other to move in between islands.
Remember they don't have buses, they move by boats
Question 9
Is there a refund if it is raining?
We will provide a full refund if WE cancel the tour, ONLY for the following reasons:
- The General Guna Congress decides that is not safe to go to the islands due to high tides or extreme weather or
- an order from Panamanian authorities
Before you book this tour, especially during our rainy season, keep in mind that from the moment we make the reservation your payment it is not refundable unless one of the reasons explained above applies and, only those reasons. No exceptions.
Again, we don't cancel tours if it is raining in Panama City because that doesn't mean that is going to be raining in San Blas and WE are the ones that will make that decision. A drizzle is not a reason to cancel a tour.
We don't cancel tours based on the weather in Panama City, simply because Panama City is 2 hours away from the islands on the Pacific side. We have to drive over to Carti to make that call.
There is no way to determine how the weather is going to be because it could be raining at 5 am in Panama City or in San Blas and it may stop at 8:45 am or during the morning hours.
Most of the time, if our guna team forsees bad weather or receive an alert before hand, we will notify you and provide a full refund if that is the case.
Question 10
Is it worth all the hassle?
yes, a million times yes. San Blas is like a postcard
Final Notes
When you are going to San Blas, go with an open mind, expect the best, please don't stress me or yourself about the things that are outside of our control such as weather and traffic. Please, please, please!
Be kind to our indigenous team that works hard from 4:15 am.
Everyday we are on the streets are 4:00 am getting the cars ready, clean, checking the tires, picking up passengers and then we drive for 2 hours each way safely. It is not easy.
Your driver is back in the city around 7 pm and gets back home at 8:00 pm.
Please be considered with my team because they do their best to serve you.
Be kind to all the indigenous people that you will encounter.
Remember: what we give, we receive.
The Real Panama Trs indigenous team is organized, professional and mindful and they are also humans.
During high season, due to the amount of people visiting, it will be hectic.
Be mindful if you book a tour on the weekends. Weekends are the busiest days and it would be crowded.
If you can do the tour on a week day it will be better.
Treat our gunas with respect, lower your expectations a notch and be thankful for the opportunity to visit the amazing islands of San Blas.
Thanks very much
Sorhay
San Blas or Guna Yala is not in Jupiter or Mars. It is right here.
San Blas is simply an autonomous indigenous reservation, with their own rules. It belongs to Panama, however, they have different customs and traditions and a General Congress that makes the important decisions.
I promise, you will not be taking a space shuttle. You’ll be here, right here, on earth, in paradise.
There are a few things we believe are really important you consider:
- You should not expect the indigenous to speak english. The gunas speak their own language: Guna and español. This is Panama and in this country, hablamos español.
- No buses go to San Blas. Only private transportation is available to go there
- Only drivers with special permit from the General Congress are allowed to enter
- The road is good
- Daytours depart at 5:20 am and return at 6:45 pm approx. (it cannot be changed)
- Everyone must show a valid original passports. This is mandatory, no exceptions. The passport cannot be expired.
- Even kids must pay to go to San Blas because they will have their own seats
- Yatchs have been banned from doing tours at the islands
Question 1
How the weather in San Blas is going to be?
No one knows.
I understand you want me to say is going to be sunny and beautiful but the true answer is: In Panama in general, the weather is UNPREDICTABLE, so we don’t know how the weather will be.
For sure it is not going to snow (if that helps).
No one, absolutely no one will be able to tell you what you want to hear.
The advise is to enjoy the day as it comes and please, don’t stress me or yourself looking at the forecast. Please! I am not a meteorologist.
Question 2
How far is San Blas and how long does it takes?
It is 2.5 hours away from Panama City, including a short stop at supermarket.
All the tours start at 5:20 am and you should be back by 6:45 pm.
Question 3
How much time do we spend at each island?
Approximately 1 hr and 45 minutes on each island.
You visit 3 islands including the Famous Perro Chico (Small Dog).
The other islands would be chosen by my team based on the weather and the sea conditions.
Normally the other islands are one of the following: Icodub, Aroma, Devil's island, Big dog or Waili.
You will have 20-30 minutes at the Natural Swimming Pool with starfish.
Question 4
Do we have interaction with indigenous?
The Real Panama Trs Team in San Blas is 100% indigenous and has been trained to meet the foreign visitors standards.
From the moment you are picked up, you are in direct contact with gunas.
At some islands you will have the guna ladies working on their famous molas.
Our crew is guna.
The gunas speak spanish and their own language: Guna. Their english is limited.
They speak basic english. They understand basic commands.
Remember that you are visiting their territory, therefore, they don't have to speak your language. We should be polite and try to communicate with them because that is part of the experience. How? smile and sign language.
Since it is a structure tour, basically island hopping with lunch included and everything pre arrange, you will be ok.
The Real Panama team in San Blas knows exactly what they are doing.
I organize your tour and follow up with my team all day long
Question 5
Why do we have to leave so early?
San Blas It is 2.5 hours away from Panama City. We normally arrive around 8:45 am, depending upon traffic. From the port of Carti it will take about 30 minutes to get to the 1st island and from the 1st island it will take less than 10 minutes to visit the other ones.
Question 6
Why does it cost $155?
Taking anyone to San Blas involves many expenses: Private Transportation back and forth, only in 4x4 vehicles, experienced drivers with permit, entrance fees, port taxes, island fees, boat fare, lunch, among others.
The value of this tour is nowhere near close to what it should be based on the amount of logistic required and all the people involved.
Question 7
Are there mosquitoes or Zika in San Blas?
No reason to be concerned about Zika either unless the panamanian authorities raise an alert.
The islands you visit are not located within the indigenous communities and have the basic infrastructure required for tourists such as bathrooms.
We are always aware of any news to keep our guests safe.
As any caribbean island with palm trees, there may be a few mosquitoes but nothing to be worry about.
Question 8
How many people per vehicle and how many on the boats?
6 guests will be on each vehicle. 6 is the maximum allowed per vehicle.
We can arrange private transportation for an additonal cost.
Our boats, on the other hand, have a capacity for 20 people. Normally the boat is shared. It is common to get on the boat with indigenous people because indigenous help each other to move in between islands.
Remember they don't have buses, they move by boats
Question 9
Is there a refund if it is raining?
We will provide a full refund if WE cancel the tour, ONLY for the following reasons:
- The General Guna Congress decides that is not safe to go to the islands due to high tides or extreme weather or
- an order from Panamanian authorities
Before you book this tour, especially during our rainy season, keep in mind that from the moment we make the reservation your payment it is not refundable unless one of the reasons explained above applies and, only those reasons. No exceptions.
Again, we don't cancel tours if it is raining in Panama City because that doesn't mean that is going to be raining in San Blas and WE are the ones that will make that decision. A drizzle is not a reason to cancel a tour.
We don't cancel tours based on the weather in Panama City, simply because Panama City is 2 hours away from the islands on the Pacific side. We have to drive over to Carti to make that call.
There is no way to determine how the weather is going to be because it could be raining at 5 am in Panama City or in San Blas and it may stop at 8:45 am or during the morning hours.
Most of the time, if our guna team forsees bad weather or receive an alert before hand, we will notify you and provide a full refund if that is the case.
Question 10
Is it worth all the hassle?
yes, a million times yes. San Blas is like a postcard
Final Notes
When you are going to San Blas, go with an open mind, expect the best, please don't stress me or yourself about the things that are outside of our control such as weather and traffic. Please, please, please!
Be kind to our indigenous team that works hard from 4:15 am.
Everyday we are on the streets are 4:00 am getting the cars ready, clean, checking the tires, picking up passengers and then we drive for 2 hours each way safely. It is not easy.
Your driver is back in the city around 7 pm and gets back home at 8:00 pm.
Please be considered with my team because they do their best to serve you.
Be kind to all the indigenous people that you will encounter.
Remember: what we give, we receive.
The Real Panama Trs indigenous team is organized, professional and mindful and they are also humans.
During high season, due to the amount of people visiting, it will be hectic.
Be mindful if you book a tour on the weekends. Weekends are the busiest days and it would be crowded.
If you can do the tour on a week day it will be better.
Treat our gunas with respect, lower your expectations a notch and be thankful for the opportunity to visit the amazing islands of San Blas.
Thanks very much
Sorhay
Randall Goya reviewed The Real Panama Trs — 5 star
December 14 at 1:25pm ·
I fortunately found Sorhay in Casco Viejo and immediately booked a trip to the San Blas Islands. I was pleasantly surprised the next morning to have Sorhay greet me at the hotel at an early 5:30am pick up! Everything ran smoothly and the trip was definitely the high point of my Panama adventure. I enjoyed it so well, that she tailored a trip for me to Monkey Island and the Pipeline trail the following day. And last but not least, Sorhay provided my transportation to the airport upon my departure. I would highly recommend her and The Real Panama Tours to anyone and everyone!
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