Island Hopping by Sailboat in San Blas, Panama

Discover the San Blas Islands (Guna Yala) in Panama on board a 48-foot sailing yacht – one of the most beautiful sailing areas in the Caribbean, with hundreds of small palm-covered islands, coral reefs and turquoise water.

This is a relaxed tourist trip for people who want to enjoy the islands, the sea and the Guna culture. No sailing experience is needed. If you would like to learn, you are welcome to help with the sails and take the helm – the captain will be happy to show you how the yacht works. If you prefer to rest, you can simply enjoy the views from the deck.

The trip lasts 9 full days and 9 nights on board (you leave on the day 10). You board the yacht at anchor in the archipelago (there are no marinas in Guna Yala) and leave it on the last morning. On request, we book the transfer from Panama City to San Blas and back with a carrier licensed by the Guna community.

We usually stop at about 5 main anchorages, such as Cayos Limones, Salardup, Green Island, Coco Banderos and Cayos Holandeses. Passages are short – usually 1 to 4 hours of sailing every day or two – so there is plenty of time for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and walking on the islands. One of the highlights is a dinghy trip to Perro Grande to snorkel over a shipwreck covered with corals. The final route depends on the weather and on your wishes; the captain makes the final decision.

On board you are looked after by a crew of two: the captain, who sails the yacht and takes you ashore and to the reefs by dinghy, and a hostess who cooks on board and takes care of the yacht. Daily breakfast is included in the price; for dinner you can eat on board or in small local restaurants on the islands. The boat usually takes 4 guests in two cabins (one with a double bed, one with bunk beds) with a shared bathroom; the crew has a separate cabin and bathroom. A watermaker and 900 litres of tanks provide plenty of fresh water, and solar panels supply electricity (USB-C, 230 V and 110 V sockets). On board you will find a kayak and snorkeling masks and fins.

San Blas is the autonomous territory of the Guna people, who govern it according to their own rules. We ask our guests to respect them – for example, to ask before taking photos of people. On some islands a small visitor fee is collected by the local community.

This trip is for couples, friends and small groups who want a calm, personal trip far from crowds, and anyone dreaming of island life in the Caribbean. You need to be able to move around the yacht on your own and get in and out of the dinghy and kayak, so the trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Program

1 block. Welcome on board

On the first day, the carrier's 4x4 takes you from Panama City through the jungle-covered hills to the coast, and a motorboat brings you out to the islands. Between about 10:00 and 11:00 you step on board the sailboat, anchored in the archipelago – there are no marinas in Guna Yala. The captain and the hostess show you your cabin and give a short safety briefing, and the first afternoon is perfect for a swim right from the boat.

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2 block. Life on board

Every day starts with breakfast prepared on board by our hostess. Passages are short – usually 1 to 4 hours of sailing every day or two – so most of the time is spent swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and exploring the islands. You are welcome to help with the sails and take the helm, or simply relax on deck. The route depends on the weather and on your wishes; the captain makes the final decision, so the order of the places below may change.

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3 block. Cayos Limones and the Perro Grande wreck

Small palm-covered islands surrounded by shallow, turquoise water. From here the captain takes you by dinghy to Perro Grande, where a shipwreck covered with corals lies in shallow water close to the shore – one of the most popular snorkeling spots in San Blas, easy also for less experienced snorkelers.

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4 block. Salardup and Esnasdup

Tiny islands with white sand, a few palms and nothing but sea around. A good place to try the kayak, snorkel along the reef or walk around a whole island in a few minutes – and to feel really far away from everything.

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5 block. Green Island and Waisaladup

Long stretches of white sand and clear, shallow water. On the way you may see Guna families paddling their traditional dugout canoes, called ulus, and sometimes they come to the yacht offering fresh fish, fruit or molas – colourful hand-sewn textiles made by Guna women.

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6 block. Optional: waterfall trek and Río Azúcar village

An optional excursion with a local Guna guide, paid separately to the guide. At around 8:00 the guide picks you up from the yacht by motorboat and takes you to the coast and up the Río Azúcar, through dense green rainforest. From the river you walk for about two hours to two waterfalls, crossing the river on the way (the water reaches about knee height), and you can swim in the cool fresh water before walking back. In the afternoon you visit the Guna village of Río Azúcar and see everyday life in a traditional community on the mainland. The excursion takes about 7 hours. It does not require special fitness, but you need to be able to walk on uneven ground on your own. The guide speaks Spanish and some English.

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7 block. Coco Banderos

A group of tiny postcard islands surrounded by some of the best reefs for snorkeling on the trip. The captain takes you by dinghy to the most interesting spots, and between swims you can land on one of the islands and have the beach almost to yourself.

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8 block. Cayos Holandeses

The outer islands on the edge of the open Caribbean Sea, where the colour of the water is especially intense. We usually stay here longer, with time for snorkeling on the reefs, kayaking around the sandbars and long walks on the beaches.

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9 block. Sunsets and starry nights

Evenings are for watching the sunset from the deck and enjoying dinner on board or in a small local restaurant on one of the islands. With no city lights anywhere near, the night sky over San Blas is full of stars – and on calm nights the only sound is the water against the hull.

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10 block. Departure

On the last morning, at around 7:00, the carrier's motorboat picks you up from the yacht and this is where our trip ends. The motorboat takes you back to the mainland and a 4x4 drives you to Panama City. You'll get there around 12:00-13:00.

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Other information

All crew members are welcome, even if they do not know the language spoken on board (english)

What's included:
- Accommodation on board in a double cabin (shared bathroom).
- Captain – sailing the yacht, dinghy trips ashore and to the reefs, safety briefing.
- Hostess – shopping, cooking and cleaning.
- Daily breakfast on board.
- Fuel for the yacht and the dinghy.
- Kayak, snorkeling masks and fins, and other water equipment on board.
- Medical and accident travel insurance for the days of the trip.

What's not included:
- Transfer Panama City – San Blas – Panama City (USD 155 per person, paid in cash to the carrier; we can book it for you).
- Guna Yala entry fee (currently USD 23 per person; children up to 9 free), paid in cash on entry.
- Visitor fees on some islands (approx. USD 3 per person), paid in cash to the Guna communities.
- Lunches and dinners (on board or in local restaurants), alcohol and other drinks.
- Tips, souvenirs (e.g. molas) and purchases from local people.
- Flights to and from Panama, hotels and meals in Panama City.
- Additional insurance (e.g. trip cancellation).

Practical information:
- Documents: bring your original passport with the Panama entry stamp – it is checked when entering Guna Yala (copies are not accepted).
- Cash: there are no ATMs or card terminals in San Blas. Bring enough US dollars in cash for local purchases, restaurants and island visits.
- Luggage: please pack in a soft bag, not a hard suitcase – space on the yacht and on the transfer boat is limited.
- What to bring: swimwear, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), water shoes.
- Seasickness: passages are short and the water inside the reef is usually calm, but if you are prone to seasickness, bring your usual remedy.
- Health: please check the current vaccination and health recommendations for Panama before travelling.
- Route: the itinerary depends on the weather and sea conditions; the captain makes the final decision for the safety and comfort of everyone on board.

The trip is organised by a tour operator registered in Poland, with an insolvency guarantee covering our guests' payments. Medical and accident travel insurance for the days of the trip is included.

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