3-Day Boat Tour in San Blas with Pickup from Panama City
4
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
About
Stay 2 nights in 2 different islands with tour included each day! Visit 5 islands, 1 community and 2 natural swimming pools in 3 days tour.
Experience a day in the San Blas Islands, immersed in local culture and breathtaking beaches. Panama San Blas Tours has formed a unique partnership allowing you to learn directly from the Guna grandmothers in their communities as they teach you how to make traditional molas. Begin creating your own mola with their guidance, visit a local community, and enjoy time with the islanders.
You will sleep in Isla Pelicano, famous as a filming location for Money Heist, here you can use our exclusive paddleboards or snorkel around the island’s vibrant waters.
In the 2nd day you will sleep in Aroma Island, and have an amazing tour to Island Nugnudub where we have toys exclusive for our clients: Mini golf, Beach Pickle ball, Water beds, Kayaks and more. Make snorkel in Perro chico and swim in the Natural pools.
Lowest price guaranteeFree cancellation
Ages 0-80, max of 15 per group
Duration: 3 days
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English, Spanish
More
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Transport both ways from your hotel in Panama city
- Boat transfers between islands
- 1 Night in Private Cabana in Pelicano (Min 2 people)
- 1 Night in Private Room in Aguja or Aroma (Min. 2 people)
- Tour per day as Itinerary
- Mola Atelier in Local Community
- Water toys in Nugnudub: Water bed, Mini Golf, Pickle ball, Kayaks, Paddle boards,
What's not included- Drinks water, soda and beers
- Entry fee to san blas 25USD per people
- Pick up in Playa Bonita hotels - $10USD per person
- Solo traveler share cabana
- Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.Pickup details
- We pick up in all hotels in Panama city. We also pick up in Playa Bonita hotels with additional cost $10USD per people.
Hotel pickup offeredDuring checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Infant seats available
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 75405P57- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 75405P57
From
₱23,842.32
per adult
Select date and travelers
Similar experiences
Itinerary
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- megamorphic0 contributionsBook now!The San Blas Island tour was one of the highlights of our 6-day trip! The islands are absolutely breathtaking, the locals are warm and welcoming, and there are great opportunities to support them by purchasing handmade souvenirs. The local food was fresh and delicious, making the experience even more authentic. A few things to note: Once you get close to the islands, expect to wait about 1-2 hours for passport checks. The boat ride felt more like an hour, so if you’re prone to motion sickness, come prepared with nausea medication. Also, the transport is a standard truck, not a spacious van, so be ready for a tight ride both ways. Despite these minor inconveniences, our tour guide was knowledgeable, and our driver ensured a safe trip, even allowing a quick supermarket stop for water and snacks. Highly recommended for an unforgettable adventure!Written February 4, 2025
- X914CWrjs0 contributionsGreat tour with an amazing operator! A must if you've never been to Panama!This is an absolutely AWESOME tour! For anyone worrying about the trip to the dropoff point, Julio helped us get to and from the location safely and quickly; he was full of energy and extremely helpful in providing history and insights while we were getting to the site. We never had to worry about a thing because he was always there! The islands themselves are amazing! Make sure to charge your phone and grab sunscreen because you'll run of out both before you know it!Written January 28, 2025
- O3641WHtaylorm0 contributionsPerfect San Blas TourBe prepared for an all day trip. By the end, you will be exhausted but it is worth it. The drive is ~3.5 hours each way with stops to grab snacks, move your legs, and take a bathroom break. Three islands with a natural pool (having it be the second stop was very helpful). It was a beautiful time and I enjoyed each stop.Written January 27, 2025
- Leah K0 contributionsDo not sit near the front of the speed boat!!!Beautiful island views. That's all the good things you get from the trip. Not a well organized tour. We were told a later pick up time than the driver. He had to wait for us. 6 hours drive in the mountains was not easy, our driver Julio did a good job. We paid tickets to enter the islands. They still charge you 25c to use the bathroom before getting on the boat! The driver turned us to the local tour guides as soon as we arrived. They didn't give any clear instructions and no customer service. All they did was to count the heads and move you from one island to the other. The speed boat ride was very rough when the sea was not calm. I was unfortunately sitting near the front and I was airborne at times, jerked my neck and forcefully landed on my tailbone. For how hard I crashed, it was a miracle that it didn't'break my tailbone. It was all bruised though. THE BOAT IS TOO SMALL TO GO THAT FAST IN A ROUGH CONDITION. In addition to the risk of injuries, the 18 people's safety is a bigger concern! It's a trip I do not recommend, especially for the elderly. If you really want to go, make sure that you sit in the back of the speedy boat. I wished someone had told me about that before the trip..Written January 23, 2025
- laurenjQ6173RX0 contributionsGood tour but we had a horrible driver!!!!The views, the activities provided by the people of San Blas were excellent /very good, this includes the lunch that was provided with the package. However the facilities where you come to initially and the facilities on the islands visited need to be clean and acceptable to the public. One thing in our group/trip was our driver. He was reckless, obnoxious, discourteous, down right rude not to mention disrespectful. He drove like a maniac and was not reassuring at all. The road to San Blas is very mountainous with steep and filled with hairpin curves. He sped through them at a high rate. He did not mention anything about us (our entire family was in his vehicle) wearing seatbelts. I insisted that we all put them on, the driver could have cared less. Once I saw that he was very cavalier about driving I asked him to slow down and be more circumspect his answer was " I drive at the speed limit." I told him the speed limit is a guide, he nevertheless drove at 60-70 mph and did not care about how we felt. His surly attitude was not accommodating. He explained NOTHING about the people their history, culture or customs of the Guna people. He was a horrible driver and tour guide. I was so upset and nervous with his driving skills I refused to be in his vehicle on the return ride and I told him why. I asked him if he would be more careful and drive slower around the mountainous hairpin curves his answer was " I have to get home to feed my dogs." I then refused to get in his vehicle and so did the others. I had to insist on being driven back to Panama City by another driver. Bottomline, the brother of the owner of the business was there because he drove a group as well, and he switched with our driver. And, he was absolutely WONDERFUL! He was truly a tour guide: he pointed out things on the road, told us about the San Blas people and culture. The owner is Billy. The name of the most awful driver is Julio Cesar, anyone using this tour group should make sure the driver is NOT JULIO CESAR. Kari , January 21, 2025Written January 21, 2025
- alicialW7724DA0 contributionsBeautiful scenery and cultureAmazing trip would recommend. Only downside is the car ride there, took almost 4 hours. Besides that everything else was great. Bring your sunscreen, towel and cash if you want to buy drinks on the islands.Written January 19, 2025
- alyd1230 contributionsHighly RecommendGreat experience! Guide was kind and courteous! Food was delicious, islands were beautiful! It is a long journey from pick up to the first island, but definitely worth it. Highly recommend.Written January 12, 2025
- Mark Z0 contributionsSan Blas Day TripThis is a good excursion but seems extremely overpriced for the experience. Maybe it was just the islands we saw, but the first island had the kayaks and a few games. Then we went to a natural pool. It's cool to see, but not much to do there other than cool off in the water. 2nd island where we had lunch was the best stop. There was an old shipwreck with amazing snorkeling, but then we just went across a small channel to our last island. Plus, the drive there and back can get pretty uncomfortable depending on if your driver has air-conditioning or not.Written January 11, 2025
- mariajosej4090 contributionsBeautiful!Great experience! Beautiful beaches and kind people. You have the chance to know different places. The driver was punctual and kind.Written January 9, 2025
- B1464CYdanielt0 contributionsBeautiful places but the organization needs upgrade.First: there no 4 islands, only 3. The 4th one is a natural place where the boat stops and you can swim. The pick up was in time, car clean and the way to the port was safe and comfortable. You stop for doing some shopping but no ATM, so take care to get enough cash before the trip. The waiting place in the port is very small, if it’s raining during the high season you must stay in the rain like we did. Toilets … debatable. What can you get in the middle of nowhere. Those from the port are dirty and you must pay. On the islands, it is free. If you ask something in English the guide/driver speaks English. Otherwise no word on English, only Spanish. The islands are very beautiful and it deserves to do the effort to visit them.Written January 7, 2025
- paulsN112ND0 contributionsAmazing Day Trip to the San BlasThis is a great option for those that do not want to stay on the San Blas islands, while it can be a long day it is definitely worth it. Our driver was very informative and provided an overview of the culture Guna Yala and their history. He was also very considerate in driving the country roads to the islands, going slower to avoid any of the passengers getting motion sickness, we passed a few other tours that had stopped to be sick. Our tour to the islands was well organised and our guide spoke good English and kept everyone informed, while kayaks, paddle boards, floats, and other activities were all provided for.Written December 28, 2024
- argupta060 contributionsSplendid !!Very courteous tour guides. Beautiful place - heaven on earth!! Bring towels, food, water, sun-screen, bug-spray, change of clothes. and snacks.Written December 26, 2024
- Gvilla110 contributionsSnorkel a shipwreck on san Blas islandsThe san Blas islands are pretty unique, they are so small that it’s literally a paradise beach with a couple huts. You’ll have a couple hours to walk around the islands and swim in the beautiful water. There’s an excellent snorkelling opportunity on a shipwreck with some cool fish.Written December 24, 2024
- estherpK3235DP0 contributionsAmazingIslands were beautiful and driver and guides were great! They took us to 3 islands and a sand bar where you could see starfish. Highly recommend!Written December 19, 2024
- Inspire435632179550 contributionsLoveI really enjoyed my time in Panama, Felt safe and uber was reliable, definitely recommend experiencing solo or couples trip .Written December 18, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
13 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
1
Average
3
Poor
2
Terrible
0
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Caitlin C
8 contributions
Jan 2025 • Solo
San Blas islands are the typical image you would think of when you hear "tropical island paradise". They are so gorgeous, and it was really relaxing to lay on the beach, or go swimming in the crystal-clear waters. Just be mindful of what your itinerary is, however, because when we arrived to the island where we would be staying for the second night, we were told we would just stay on the island until we get picked up to go back to Panama City the next day. Our itineraries, however, told us that we would be visiting two more islands that day. The receptionists had to call people to pick us up, so we were still able to visit all the places our itinerary said, but wouldn't have done so, if we hadn't asked about it. Also, on the last day, we were told that between 3-3:30, we would be picked up to go back to Panama City. We weren't picked up until 4, which was fine for me, but if someone has a bus/flight to catch, could be a bit stressful. My recommendation is to not book transport on the same day you go back to Panama City, in case you get picked up a bit later than expected.
All in all though, lovely trip and perfect for recharging the batteries!
All in all though, lovely trip and perfect for recharging the batteries!
Written January 30, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Camper63992046139
Tucson, AZ3 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Beautiful Islands and water, clean. Three + hour Car ride from Panama City in completely full car on paved roads in good shape. Rough boat rides on wood benches and sometimes wet. If raining, luggage will probably get wet. Overnight stay barely better than camping - room very crude and no water or towels. Food choices were only fish or chicken - adequate quantity. Bring water, cool drinking water+beer available at $2 each.
Written December 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear valued client,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We're delighted to hear that you appreciated the breathtaking beauty of the islands and pristine waters during your journey. Your experience of the three-hour car ride is duly noted, and we appreciate your patience in navigating the journey on well-maintained paved roads.
We understand that the boat rides may have been challenging, especially with wood benches and the potential for wet conditions. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused, and we'll certainly look into ways to enhance the overall comfort of our boat transportation.
Regarding the overnight stay, we regret to hear that it fell short of your expectations. We are continuously working to improve our accommodations, and your input is invaluable in this process. We're committed to providing a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for our guests in the future.
Your comments on the limited food choices have been duly noted, and we will explore options to diversify our menu to cater to a broader range of preferences. We appreciate your suggestion to bring water and will explore ways to ensure our guests have access to essential amenities during their stay.
We are grateful for your constructive feedback, and we assure you that your comments will be shared with our team to enhance the overall quality of our services. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future, providing an improved and more enjoyable experience.
Thank you for choosing us, and we appreciate your understanding.
Warm regards,
Written December 9, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dreamer07154028486
1 contribution
Mar 2024 • Friends
We have seen a lot. The first island was great, the food too. The overnight stay on the second island was a disaster. The food wasn't good, the "mattress" was in poor condition, and the people were unfriendly. Then they forgot to pick us up. And that even though I had spoken to the guide on the phone the evening before and we agreed on a meeting point. We then sat in the sun for 3 hours until locals from the island finally took us to the harbor in their boat. The organization can definitely be expanded. On site, the guide often only speaks Spanish, even though the majority of tourists can speak Spanish. Only after repeated requests will the information (if you're lucky) be repeated in English.

Written March 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your feedback. We apologize for any inconvenience you experienced during your tour. We want to clarify that we called to change the pickup time to the afternoon so that you could enjoy your tour after lunch. We regret any misunderstanding this may have caused. Your comfort and satisfaction are our top priorities, and we appreciate your understanding. If there is anything else we can assist you with, please don't hesitate to let us know.
Written March 20, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
51Nanar
Villennes-sur-Seine, France4 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
No cleaning/cleaning for 3 days, sanitary and uncleaned bath linen. no check-in before 4:30 pm accurate, small bathroom, impossible to open the shower door entirely because bumps into the sink. for 100 € per night if you can, avoid this establishment.
Automatically translated
Written August 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Merci pour votre commentaire. Nous comprenons que votre expérience n'a pas été à la hauteur de vos attentes. Il est important de noter que cet établissement est situé dans une communauté indigène où les conditions de vie sont authentiques et en harmonie avec leur mode de vie traditionnel. Ce mode de vie peut différer des standards habituels, mais il offre une immersion culturelle unique. Nous espérons que vous pourrez apprécier cet aspect lors de votre prochain séjour.
Si vous avez des préoccupations spécifiques, n'hésitez pas à nous contacter directement.
Written August 21, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Patty A
Portland7 contributions
This tour is not for the traveler that wants to sit around and lounge and relax. Be ready to be on the go, to pack your bag and leave each island early for a full day of adventuring. You will be sleeping in really rustic accommodations - so just be prepared for that.
Also be prepared to immerse yourself in the culture of the Guna Yala people - they live very similar to how they've lived for decades and it's an amazing cultural experience .
Some of the islands that you'll visit will be very nice with clean bathrooms and information posted whereas other places will feel like you're waiting around to see what's gonna happen. You'll meet people who are with you for one boat ride but then part with you to head to another island for the evening and then you'll see them the next day. It's all part of the fun!
Make sure to put your suitcases or bags on a table when you go to bed because you never know what's gonna happen overnight. We woke up on our last morning after a big storm hit our island to 6 inches of rain underneath our beds! It was mental, but we went with it, and after breakfast, the water was gone, the sun came out, and we enjoyed the rest of the day.
Also be prepared to immerse yourself in the culture of the Guna Yala people - they live very similar to how they've lived for decades and it's an amazing cultural experience .
Some of the islands that you'll visit will be very nice with clean bathrooms and information posted whereas other places will feel like you're waiting around to see what's gonna happen. You'll meet people who are with you for one boat ride but then part with you to head to another island for the evening and then you'll see them the next day. It's all part of the fun!
Make sure to put your suitcases or bags on a table when you go to bed because you never know what's gonna happen overnight. We woke up on our last morning after a big storm hit our island to 6 inches of rain underneath our beds! It was mental, but we went with it, and after breakfast, the water was gone, the sun came out, and we enjoyed the rest of the day.
Written January 9, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Allan D
Guelph, Canada78 contributions
What a lovely day. Early start and arrive islands at about 8:00. Tour of the main village which was celebrating 99 year of independence. Guide was excellent. I not boat to visit several lovely islands. Snorkeling was great. Enjoyed good fish lunch. More islands and warm water for swimming. Lost my glasses and the guide went back to find them. Now in our little cabin and had a nap. Paradise.
Written March 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Of course! Thank you all for sharing your valuable feedback. Your experiences and insights are greatly appreciated, and we're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your trips. If you have any more comments or need further assistance, please feel free to reach out.
Written March 9, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Felipe R
1 contribution
Overall, we perceive the agency we bought the tour from and the agency who "outsourced" our tour as very confusing and disorganized. Since the day we bought this experience, we were never approached for any pro-active information giving. And we were never told the tour would be operated by another company.
On the first day, our tour guide could not communicate very well. We speak English and Spanish fluently, but couldn't grasp everything he wanted to say.
The tour did not follow the TripAdvisor description (days were inverted).
Every day we would ask what was the plan: what we would do, where we would sleep. No one could answer our question with confidence (or at all).
The boats were, time after time, delayed by 30 min - 1 hour versus the agreed transport time.
Installations were rustic, but that we expected.
The agency performance, however, greatly impacted our experience.
On the first day, our tour guide could not communicate very well. We speak English and Spanish fluently, but couldn't grasp everything he wanted to say.
The tour did not follow the TripAdvisor description (days were inverted).
Every day we would ask what was the plan: what we would do, where we would sleep. No one could answer our question with confidence (or at all).
The boats were, time after time, delayed by 30 min - 1 hour versus the agreed transport time.
Installations were rustic, but that we expected.
The agency performance, however, greatly impacted our experience.
Written January 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear valued client, we appreciate your feedback. San Blas is an indigenous community, and we take pride in supporting the local economy by exclusively working with local guides and drivers. While high tides this season may impact travel times, rest assured we adhere to the itinerary, ensuring you visit all promised islands. We remain committed to delivering the best experience with our dedicated local team.
Written January 2, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
KiteBeachBarbie
Las Catalinas, Costa Rica47 contributions
Naidi was my tour guide and he was excellent! Made my experience as a solo traveler excellent. The islands are beautiful.
Written October 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maximilian L
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Couples
San Blas was the most beautiful place in Panama. The trip was very well organized and the people super friendly! Also the food was very good and we could always choose between different options. Rooms were clean. We would highly recommend booking this tour!
Written August 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gillian R
1 contribution
Jun 2023 • Friends
The islands were beautiful and we were told each evening/early morning what our itinerary was for the day. The food was great and the guides were very friendly and helpful! Even though it was rainy season, it was still a great experience!
Written June 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Which islands do you visit and how much time is spent in transit to each island?
Written December 3, 2023
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Buy it with
Top rated
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.