With its paradise-like crystal clear ocean and white sands, the San Blas Islands are popular for its unspoiled beauty. Walk on the beach, swim, snorkel in a most pristine coral reef and eat deliciously fresh seafood.

Spend a rustic and relaxing time on one of these day trips to San Blas from Panama City. You can also see the indigenous Guna people going about their daily lives and experience the fascinating local culture.

Here's everything you need to know about San Blas, one of the most exciting day trips from Panama City.

How to get to San Blas from Panama City?

San Blas Islands is an archipelago of about 365 islands, but only 49 are inhabited. They are located north of the Isthmus of Panama that separates the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean.

You have two options to get to the San Blas Islands, whose official name since 2011 has been Guna Yala, as the local Guna people call it.

By 4x4 Jeep taxi and water taxi

The trip from Panama City lasts about 4 hours, which include a 2.5-hour 4x4 ride to the port and a 30- to 45-minute boat trip to the islands.

By Air Panama flight

The 45-minute flights leave each day about 6 AM from Marcos Gelabert Airport (PAC) in Panama City and cost about US$350 round trip.

How much does the entrance ticket to San Blas cost?

Entrance fee to San Blas and port fees cost about US$7 for Panama residents and US$22 for international visitors. These are not included in most day tours from Panama City.

Make sure to bring your passport or you will be refused entry to San Blas.

What is the typical itinerary?

On a day trip to visit San Blas, you will be picked from your hotel in Panama City from where you will be transported to the San Blas Islands port. The drive will take 2.5 hours and at the port, you will transfer to a water taxi.

The boat ride is about 30 minutes to the beach. During the tour, you will swim and snorkel in a natural ocean swimming pool, walk around the beach and relax. The islands are administered by the indigenous Guna people and services are basic.

Your included lunch is usually catch of the day with salad and rice with a drink. You will hop off to visit a next island, and so on, and head back to your hotel in Panama City at the end of the tour.

What kinds of tours are available to go to San Blas?

Day tour to San Blas Islands, visiting four islands

Discover the breathtaking Caribbean coast of Panama on a day trip from Panama City to the San Blas Islands. Visit several islands during the tour and explore the beautiful scenery with kayaks and snorkeling equipment.

Your tour includes round-trip transport by minivan and boat from Panama City to the San Blas port and back.

Your first visit is Island Perro Grande where you will have a morning snack. At Island Perro Chico, you will paddle the kayaks and go snorkeling on an old gunboat wreck.

Later, at San Blas Island, swim in the natural swimming pool and spot the starfish. Your last island stop is Isla Diablo for a delicious traditional lunch of fresh fish, salad and rice. At the end of your tour, you will be transported back to your hotel in Panama City.

San Blas day tour in Guna village

On this day trip to San Blas from Panama City, you can immerse yourself in the local Guna culture and experience their day to day life. You will be picked up at your hotel in Panama City and transported to the San Blas port.

Your first stop is Pelicano Island where the Money Heist series was recorded, and where you have a morning snack.

You will visit one of the largest Guna communities and perhaps take home a locally handcrafted memento. Enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the natural swimming pool and your lunch – catch of the day, rice and salad.

After your very interesting and informative excursion, you will be transported back to your hotel in Panama City.

San Blas Islands full-day snorkeling and kayaking tour

Spend a day on Myra Island, one of the most beautiful in San Blas, on this day trip from Panama City to San Blas Islands. You will travel to Dibin Port, San Blas Islands where your guide will welcome you.

You will snorkel in a natural swimming pool and enjoy an exciting kayak tour around Myra. Or you can just stay on the island to enjoy the beach. You will be treated to a delicious catch of the day lunch with soda, water or beer.

During the tour, your guide will enlighten you on the local Guna culture. After your excursion, you will be taken back to Panama City to your hotel. The tour is not recommended for people with heart problems or other serious medical conditions.

How much does a tour to San Blas from Panama City cost?

The day tour in San Blas Islands visiting 4 islands and the authentic day tour in indigenous Guna Village cost US$160 per person. The duration of both of these tours is 14 hours.

The 9-hour San Blas Islands full-day snorkeling and kayak tour costs US$190 per person.

What are the highlights?

El Porvenir is one of the main ports, with Panamanian customs and an airfield with direct flights to Panama City.

Isla Perro Grande has great views and is usually your first visit. Adjoining Perro is Isla Diablo (Niadup), and Isla Perro Chico, known for snorkeling on an old gunboat shipwreck and kayaking.

Isla Arena Blanca is a tiny island but great for taking photos and Isla Yansailadup is popular for the natural pool.

Pelicano Island is famous for filming scenes of the TV series “Money Heist”. You can visit a Guna village on one of the islands, but not all are open to tourists.

When is San Blas open over the year?

The San Blas Islands are open for tourists throughout the year. If you want to travel in San Blas you will have to get a visa to sail in Panama waters.

You can buy the visa at the Panama customs on El Porvenir for about US$100 per person per boat between 9 AM to 6 PM every weekday except Sunday.

When is the best time to visit San Blas?

The best time to visit the San Blas Islands is from June to December, when the weather’s better and there are less tourists. During the dry season, from January to May, there are typically strong trade winds, affecting snorkeling visibility.

What are the other day trips from Panama City?

Travel tips

Make sure to book your San Blas Islands tour in advance.
Many of the tourist islands have limited electricity supply and no Wi-Fi or cell service.
Bring cash, as there are no ATMs in San Blas.
Pack personal hygiene items and towels, snacks, reef-safe sunscreen and insect repellent.

San Blas: Day Trips and Tours from Panama City