San Blas Islands Tours

San Blas Day Tour - Visit Paradise Islands & the Natural Pools + Lunch + 1 Drink

4.5

San Blas Day Tour - Visit Paradise Islands & the Natural Pools + Lunch + 1 Drink

Name: San Blas Day Tour - Visit Paradise Islands & the Natural Pools + Lunch + 1 Drink
Brand: Tao Travel 365 - Panama
SKU: 18908445
Price: 4769 PHP
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (11 reviews)

By Tao Travel 365 - Panama

Recommended by 90% of travelers

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Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 3-99, max of 20 per group

Duration: 14h

Start time: Check availability

Mobile ticket

Live guide: English, Spanish

Shared boat/lancha transportation all day
Snorkel Equipment (snorkel and mask)
San Blas Day Tour
One beverage: Bottle of water, soda or beer
Island Taxes (Entrance fee to each island)
Lunch

What's not included

Guna Entrance Fee paid to border patrol ($22 for Internationals, $7 for Panamanian residents)

Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.

Carti Parking and Boat Terminal, F23C+W2C, Warsobtugua, Guna Yala, Panama
The tour starts in the port of Carti. Contact our office for exact driving directions and instructions. Plan to arrive no later than 8:30am. Only 4x4 vehicles are allowed entry into San Blas territory. All other cars and SUVs will not be allowed to enter the territory and you will lose your tour.

Pickup details

If booking with transportation from Panama City: IF YOU HAVE NOT PROVIDED YOUR WHATSAPP NUMBER AND PICK UP INFORMATION (HOTEL NAME & ROOM NUMBER) YOUR TOUR IS NOT CONFIRMED AND WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PICK YOU UP. On the day of your tour, please be ready to be picked up from your hotel between 5:00am and 5:45am, and wait in the lobby. Since we have shared transportation with up to 6 guests per car, our drivers choose the best route to pick up all guests in a timely manner. To avoid any delays we appreciate your cooperation in being on time. If you are not at your designated pick up point (and waiting in the lobby!), you will loose your tour without refund. Please note that the drivers only speak Spanish. The driver will try his best in contacting you via WhatsApp. Please understand that the driver cannot wait longer than 10 minutes before continuing to the next pick up destination, in order to provide timely service for all of the other guests. If driving on your own to San Blas: Please contact our office for exact driving directions and instructions. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ONLY 4X4 CARS ARE PERMITTED TO ENTER THE TERRITORY. We have many guests who arrive in a regular SUV (such as Hyundai Tucson or similar), but are not allowed to enter, because the SUV is not a 4x4 and is considered too small or not suitable for the treacherous roads.

Hotel pickup offered

During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.

Airport pickup offered

During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included airports.

Tocumen Intl Airport, Panama City Panama

End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Not wheelchair accessible

If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 127626P28

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Most travelers can participate
Confirmation will be received at time of booking.
Departure time is between 5:00am and 5:45am from your Panama City lodging. If staying at Playa Bonita area, your departure time is between 5:00am and 5:15am.
You are welcome to bring a cooler with your own drinks, potable water, snacks and beverages (fruit juice or alcohol). The driver will stop at a supermarket on the way to San Blas in order for you to purchase additional items.
PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO BRING YOUR ORIGINAL PASSPORT. PHOTOCOPIES OF PASSPORTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTABLE TO ENTER THE GUNA TERRITORY AND THE SAN BLAS ISLANDS.
Please be advised that San Blas is in the Guna territory, which is an autonomous, Indian zone. The services are very basic. The Gunas will be providing all touristic services, such as meal preparations, car and boat transportations, lodging, and tour guiding. We are proud to be working with this friendly tribe and with each booking we give back to the community, supporting their customs and their traditional way of life. We kindly ask you to respect this beautiful culture and their simple way of life, leaving your expectations behind and learning about their innocent culture.
We recommend that you bring your personal hygiene items, such as towels, sunscreen, hats, mosquito repellent.
In San Blas Islands there are no ATMs - please bring cash. You can buy additional drinks, snacks, souvenirs etc.
“Tigo” is the cell phone company that has the best reception in San Blas.
Infants need to sit on laps.
PLEASE BE PREPARED FOR A 2.5 to 3 HOUR CAR JOURNEY EACH WAY OVER CURVY ROADS! THERE IS ALSO A 25-30 MINUTE BOAT RIDE TO YOUR FIRST ISLAND WHICH CAN GET QUITE BUMPY AND WET. We feel that the islands are worth the long drive, but some travelers have complained about the drive and the fast boat ride from and to the port. While we strive to provide our guests the best service and an unforgettable experience in San Blas, we are not responsible for road and ocean conditions, and we would like you to be aware of this fact :)
IMPORTANT SAN BLAS DISCLAIMER - PLEASE READ! While San Blas is a beautiful island archipelago with stunning beaches and clear waters, it also has its downsides, for which we would like to make you aware off. In San Blas only the Kuna population is allowed to work in the territory. The services and infrastructure are not what most of us are used to. Kunas are not very service oriented and can often seem shy or reserved. A stay in San Blas can be compared to a camping vacation that offers minimal comfort, services and amenities. We strongly advise those who have 5 star expectations to think twice before embarking on this adventure. We do have alternative tours in Panama with more high-end services. We really care about our reputation and we want our guests to enjoy their vacation with us. We attempt to be as transparent as possible in order to set guest expectations from the start. We do not own any of the islands and we pride ourselves in providing excellent service during your booking process and attempting to assist you during your San Blas vacation. However, please remember that we cannot guarantee the same excellent service during your stay in San Blas. Please read all the below information well! San Blas is very rustic without the amenities and standards you might be used to from home. Compared to places such as Tahiti and Maldives that are managed by international hotel chains, San Blas has remained autonomous without the influence of outsiders. When visiting San Blas, it should be viewed as a cultural experience where guests visit the paradise islands of the Kunas and respect their traditions and their primitive ways of living. No air condition - None of the islands offer A/C No Wifi - You can buy a prepaid SIM card (Tigo or Digicel), which may or may not have signal. No luxury facilities - Bathrooms may be dirty, sinks may get clogged What seems like trash and clutter around the local huts, are items and tools that Kunas re-use for their daily lives. Please respect the fact that different cultures have different education, perspectives and ways of living and do not expect the cleanliness you may be used to from your home country. All services will all be handled by the indigenous Kuna. While Tao Travel 365 strives to provide the best service possible and train the Kuna in customer management, some of the below services are often out of our control. Car transportation - the ride to San Blas takes 2.5 to 3 hours, with 1.5 hours over slow, curvy roads. For those with motion sickness, please prepare accordingly. The transportation is in a shared 4x4 SUV, with one seat up front, three seats in the middle row and 2 seats in the back row. Seats are assigned randomly. Those who require additional space in the car must purchase an extra seat. Pick up from your lodging is scheduled between 5:00am and 5:30am, but can sometimes be as late as 5:45am depending on the timeliness of other guests that we pick up. Out of respect for all others in the car we ask everyone to wait in the lobby of their building at 5:00am. If you are not at the designated meeting point, the driver will make an effort to locate you, but he cannot delay the transportation by more than 10 minutes. No refunds are awarded to guests who don’t show up on time. Boat transportation - depending on weather and ocean conditions, the 20-40 minute boat ride might be bumpy and wet with ocean spray. Island kitchen - meal are prepared fresh in the local kitchen and usually consist of fried or grilled fish with salad and patacones (fried plantains). Most Kunas DO NOT speak English. Trash is a worldwide problem and unfortunately San Blas has not been spared from the ever increasing issue. During certain tides and ocean and wind conditions plastic trash from throughout the Caribbean ocean accumulates on the beaches of San Blas. While the local Kuna are working hard to collect the constant flood of plastic trash washing up on their beaches, guests will nevertheless find evidence of plastic spread out on the island. Furthermore, Kunas tend to collect certain “trash” and re-use it for their purposes. During the wet months (April - December) or during windless days, all of San Blas experiences sandflies, which are little blood-sucking flies that leave itchy marks. Please ensure to bring insect repellent and prepare to return to Panama City with a few itchy memories. Weather: Panama is located in the Intertropical Convergence Zone, which means that the weather is very unpredictable and is impossible to forecast with accuracy. The weather forecast will usually show rain and thunderstorms for most days of the year, when in reality there are oftentimes beautiful, sunny days in San Blas. Please do not rely on the weather forecast in Panama. Due to the tropical conditions in San Blas rain can occur at any time and we do not offer refunds for rainy days. Travel Emergencies: The San Blas islands are located in a very remote region of Panama. We ask all guests to be responsible for their own well being and to be aware that medical assistance can often not be provided right away. The closest medical facility in San Blas is very basic and can only provide assistance for minor issues. Guests with injuries such as broken bones that require more specialized treatment need to be transported to Panama City. Guests are responsible for all charges arising from a medical emergency, such as boat and car transportation and medical care. We suggest all guests to carry a Travel Insurance to cover emergency expenses. We kindly ask our guests to lower their expectation when visiting San Blas and to focus on the beautiful remote paradise that San Blas has remained despite the effects that modern society has caused to them. The Kunas are very gentle and kind people, but can also be somewhat shy at times. When approaching them with a smile and an open heart you will be guaranteed an innocent, happy smile in return. Arriving with the right mindset and expectation usually guarantees an unforgettable experience, where guests are able to focus on the beauties of the islands, beaches, ocean and the people, rather than on the limitations that we mentioned above.
The use of drones is prohibited in San Blas. Heavy fines are imposed on those who disobey the law.
AGAIN!!! Please be prepared for a 2.5 hour car journey each way (1 hour on a highway and about 1.5 hours through the mountains over curvy roads! Please do not leave bad reviews because of the road. We try to warn you ahead of time ;)
The road to San Blas is very curvy. If you are sensitive to motion sickness, please prepare accordingly by bringing appropriate medication.
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 tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 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: 127626P28

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₱4,769.08

per adult

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About the operator

Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:

Tao Travel 365 - Panama
343
Panama City, Panama
Joined in March 2019
johnpP1138PG
0 contributions
Not worth the price!
Got picked up around 6:45am from the hotel. Spent a good amount of time in the shuttle. Finally got to the boat launch place and took a 25 min boat ride before we got any sightings of any monkeys on the monkey island. Be aware that there are quite a few tour operators that are looking to do the same thing as you. Boats will literally bump into each other all to get a shot at being able to have the monkeys feed out of your hand. Put another way, there might be three monkeys in proximity and 15 hands waiting to get a shot. Our boat only had 4 tourists including myself, plus the tour operator and the driver of the boat. The tour operator got to feed as he was demonstrating how to do it. Perhaps he should've paid us for the tour instead of the other way around. By the time I was able to get to the front of the boat to have a shot, the monkeys were gone. So, I was able to get a few photos of others.. The butterfly, frog, sloth exhibit was also very underwhelming. I would not recommend this tour at all. Next time I would hire a private guide and create my own schedule and spend whatever amount of time I desire doing any specific activity.
Written November 27, 2024
160chuckt
0 contributions
Definitely worth seeing the sloths but remember they don’t move much.
We were very happy to get up close to see the sloths and we also saw the 3toed sloth in the wild. The butterflies were ok but seeing the frogs was super cool (but they are tiny). We hired a driver to take us & that was very helpful as we could go at our own pace & he had a great eye for the sloths and knew a lot about them.
Written November 24, 2024
Alexia D
0 contributions
Perfect beaches, plenty space for everyone.
Pleasant trip and wonderful beaches. Food was great too. Try the Coco Loco. Bring ginger pills if you arent comfy riding a roller coaster for 2h straight. The hills of San Blas are a nice little bonus experience but most will need a little something for the nausea to enjoy them.
Written November 23, 2024
89lisettel
0 contributions
Sloth lover!
The sanctuary is on the small side, they have 4 sloths which are lifers. The staff is very nice and helpful however the displays were kind of lacking…..
Written November 21, 2024
ducki17
0 contributions
book this tour! such a great small group experience.
This was such a great experience, we were lucky to have just us, another guest and Mario our guide for our tour. We were picked up at our hotel and driven to the lake where we boarded a boat and were taken thru the lake and river as far as we could go then we put on our water shoes and walked thru the creeks to the waterfall. After some time enjoying a swim there we went back to the boat and then went to visit the village of the Parara Puru. We had a nice visit and lunch and were able to purchase some nice items that they made. They were very welcoming and such nice people. I would definitely go back if I come to Panama again. tips are make sure you bring bug spray and are ready and able to walk thru rocky water and do some climbing. we had water shoes that were recommended by the guide and so helpful but we saw other tours and their guests had on loafers and jeans and they were struggling.
Written November 18, 2024
235rhondak
0 contributions
Great tour
Our tour guide was great. He explained what we were seeing on the way to the canal and the Fort. He was knowledgeable, accommodating and kind.
Written November 12, 2024
Sherpa68219365766
0 contributions
Beautiful sites, but poor execution
The scenery was great, but the tour itself was poor overall. The tour guide was hard to understand and didn't speak very good English. The activities described in the advertisement happened, but in a completely different order. What was most disappointing is that we did not get lunch until 3 pm. And then right after lunch was the only opportunity for snorkeling (which should have occurred before lunch which was supposed to be at noon.). The Zapatilla Cay we stopped at had beautiful white sand and crystal clear water. We were supposed to be there 2 hours, but the police stopped by and asked everyone to leave the cay about an hour and 15 minutes into our visit there. We were given no reason why.
Written November 6, 2024
457imah
0 contributions
Don’t miss this experience
This was the best tour I have had in year. Daniel our guide was fantastic and so knowledgble. We hiked all of India Dormida and saw Anton Valley highlights. Dont miss this experience
Written September 19, 2024
rebecasX5326HT
0 contributions
Dont miss it!
We loved the new island! I have been in San Blas islands before but visited touristy islands! This island is brand new and just opened. The gunas are very welcoming! Tao Travel 365 is very communicative, helpfull and replied all of our doubts! 100% reccomended
Written September 19, 2024
rebecasX5326HT
0 contributions
Beautiful India Dormida and amazing guide
This is a full day tour, be ready to spend a beautiful day outside of Panama City hiking the beautiful India Dormida! It is full reccomended. Ali was an excellent guide!
Written September 19, 2024
rebecasX5326HT
0 contributions
Amazing tour!
Amazing tour at an affordable price! Pick up was on time, good guide/boat driver and Bioluminescence experience was awesome! Totally recommended Tao Travel 365!
Written September 19, 2024
N4606JNstephanies
0 contributions
You'll love it!
If you want to get up close to at least 3 different kinds of beautiful monkeys, this is your tour! We also got to watch sloths and have a lovely boat ride on the Chagres River.
Written September 1, 2024
Rizzle8Cinco
0 contributions
Amazing!
This truly was a unique experience! From boating along the river to hiking in the jungle to swimming at the beautiful waterfall. At the end meeting/eating and dancing with the beautiful embera tribe. Amazing day!
Written August 20, 2024
Rizzle8Cinco
0 contributions
Gamboa adventure
An amazing beautiful sanctuary! Great place to connect with nature! The gandola ride to the top was very relaxing..just you and nature with a great view at the top over seeing the canal. It was great to see the sloths at the sanctuary (spoiled little fur balls ❤️) and all the other animals (butterflies, rain frogs). Had an amazing time overall. There is also ziplining but you need to book in advance.
Written August 20, 2024
Catalinatravel125
0 contributions
Thanks for this unique experience!!!
We had an amazing experience during our two days in San Blas. My wife and I loved the big sandy beach and the snorkel shipwreck so close by. Food was tasty and fresh. The beach cabin is comfortable and close to the ocean, which is a soothing sound falling asleep at night. The Kunas so sweet and friendly. We will come back again for sure. Thanks for this unique experience!!!!
Written July 28, 2024

See all 343 reviews

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.

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Belinda M

3 contributions

Ride from hell

Horrible driver there’s no tour just maniac driving. Making passengers ill. Never made it on the boat because my husband and another passenger were throwing up and shaken from the horrible driver. Then he laughed when we needed to get back to the hotel. We paid 130 US dollars to get back.

Written November 10, 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.

Tao Travel 365

Belinda, we’re genuinely taken aback by your behavior with our driver, your interactions with other guests, and the way you've addressed our company. To then follow up with a 1-star review and a request for a full refund is disappointing. We’d like to recount the events from our perspective, supported by feedback from both our driver and the other guests in the vehicle, who expressed concerns about your attitude. To begin, our driver arrived punctually at your hotel, yet there was a delay on your end, resulting in four other guests waiting in the vehicle. When you finally arrived, you requested that the other passengers rearrange their seats to suit your preferences, which they understandably found disrespectful. This escalated into a confrontation, disrupting what was meant to be a pleasant day for everyone. It also seems that the details of the tour may not have been reviewed thoroughly. Our tour description clearly explains that the drive to the destination is approximately three hours and traverses winding roads, a detail shared multiple times to ensure guests are prepared. However, rather than preparing accordingly, it appears the responsibility was shifted onto others. Additionally, you indicated that there was “no tour” — however, it’s important to clarify that the drive is a necessary part of the journey to the tour location. Upon arrival at the port, you requested an immediate return to the hotel, and we promptly arranged a private vehicle to meet your request, notifying you of the costs in advance. During the return trip, your husband was continuously weeping, indicating that there clearly must have been other underlying issues on your end. As a tour agency, we are committed to creating a positive experience and have a track record of glowing reviews from guests who value the care we put into every tour. A request for a full refund disregards the efforts and expenses involved: our driver’s time, fuel costs, vehicle maintenance, and payments to guides, all of which were invested in your booking. We delivered all services as agreed and took extra steps to accommodate your needs with the private return.

Written November 12, 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

keyvas

Baltimore, MD5 contributions

San Blas was a blast

Apr 2023

The drive through the mountains wasn’t as bad as other reviews suggested but I guess everyone is different. Once we reached the port I had to use the bathroom and luckily I had some change because the guy charged .50 cents. The first island we visited was really nice and had a nice snorkeling spot by a “shipwrecked” boat. I definitely recommend.

Written April 10, 2023

Tao Travel 365

We're glad you enjoyed your drive and that you found the island to be a great spot for snorkeling. Thank you for your recommendation!

Written April 11, 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Carter

Waukesha, WI16 contributions

Don’t skip San Blas! Literal Paradise!

Jul 2023

It’s impossible to truly convey how similar the San Blas Islands are to paradise – 1000% a must-do. Don’t let anything deter you from this experience, the drivers are great, the people are amazing at hospitality, and anyone would love it! The ability to experience the picturesque island with crystal blue water and super white sand alongside the quite impressive indigenous community is truly priceless and a top experience in Panama. On the islands, you feel a part of their uber-friendly community and the tour operators ensure everyone has the best time throughout the day! Don’t skip San Blas!

Written July 5, 2023

Tao Travel 365

Thanks for your amazing review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic time on the San Blas Islands. Our drivers and staff are committed to providing top-notch service, ensuring that everyone has an unforgettable experience. We couldn't agree more, San Blas is a must-do!

Written July 9, 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sara3636

Huancayo, Peru2 contributions

Worth the tour!!

Apr 2022 • Friends

This is such a great experience from Panama City! No need to worry about driving or pick ups. The team takes you door to ocean door! Great communication, delicious lunch, incredible cultural tour of the local community, would do it again!

Written May 4, 2022

Barbara H

1 contribution

Interesting and well worth

Dec 2019

Akthough pick up was promptly at 5.15 am the trip was very worthwhile and relatively inexpensive. The road trip careening around major potholes was an experience.

Written January 2, 2020

marcecili

Aracaju, SE4 contributions

Beautiful tour to the San Blas Islands

Sep 2023 • Family

The car driver was punctual, he was at the hotel at the scheduled time, at 5am tomorrow. With the driver, there were 6 people (3 Brazilians, 2 Canadians and 1 Panamanian) in a 4x4 truck.
The breakfast stop is in a place where all the cars going to the San Blas Islands meet, without much structure to receive so many people, our driver said that there are on average 80 trucks taking people daily for this tour.
The drivers enter the area that should be reserved for employees, they prepare their dishes themselves, open the shelves of the food cabinets, demonstrating great intimacy with everyone.
The meat empanada had so much oil that it dripped onto the plate, making it impossible to eat, so we asked for it to be exchanged for a cheese empanada, a request that was immediately made by one of the drivers who was there.
We took the opportunity to buy beer, water and snacks that we consumed later on the islands.
After stopping, we continued our journey along a road full of winding and dangerous curves. It's a good idea to take medicine for motion sickness. The road is being paved, which is much better.
When entering indigenous territories, there is a "police" barrier where the Indians ask for our passports and US 22.00 (dollars).
The landscape of the robust forest is beautiful. From leaving the hotel to where we stopped and continuing the boat trip, it takes 3 hours.
In the port there are dozens of canoes, it is in this place where you are asked what we want for lunch that will be served on one of the islands.
We continue our journey, in front of the boat there are 2 Indians who show the way so that the Indian who is behind, guiding the boat, does not hit the reefs.
There are many islands, some small, others larger, but on all of them you can see at least one hut, showing that there are owners in the territory.
The Caribbean Sea is beautiful, with warm and crystal clear waters, with snorkeling you can see fish, starfish and reefs.
The fried fish I chose for lunch was good, plentiful, they served it with plantains, prepared like chips and a green salad.
It was a cool trip with stops at the islands and a natural pool, lots of sun and the opportunity to meet people from different parts of the world. I recommend.

Written September 14, 2023

Tao Travel 365

Agradecemos seus comentários detalhados! Ficamos satisfeitos em saber que você desfrutou da viagem e da oportunidade de conhecer pessoas de todo o mundo. Agradecemos a recomendação!

Written October 9, 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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San Blas Day Tour - Visit Paradise Islands & the Natural Pools + Lunch + 1 Drink provided by Tao Travel 365 - Panama