San Blas Islands Tours
San Blas Money Heist Island Day tour - Visit 3-islands + Natural Pool
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San Blas Money Heist Island Day tour - Visit 3-islands + Natural Pool
By Tao Travel 365 - Panama
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About
Compared to other conventional San Blas Day Tours, our "Money Heist" San Blas island tour takes guests to the less traveled and more pristine parts of San Blas.
Our tour visits the most beautiful islands in San Blas, including the spectacular "Money Heist" island, made famous by the Netflix series "Casa de Papel (Money Heist"). The island features a gorgeous palm-fringed, white sand beach, where Denver and Tokyo fom the infamous Netflix series spent romantic days in their secret hideaway.
We will also visit 2 more islands and a private Natural Pool, which is a sunken island, where visitors can stand waist deep in crystalline waters in the middle of the ocean, oftentimes spotting sea stars.
This tour is designed to give our guests an unforgettable experience on their day in San Blas. We include a delicious warm meal and a drink (choice between bottled water, soda or beer), fruit snacks, snorkel and mask, SUP boards, Kayaks, towels, beach chairs and English speaking tour guides.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-99, max of 14 per group
Duration: 6–14 hours
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: Spanish
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- Shared boat/lancha transportation all day
- Snorkel Equipment (Snorkel & Mask)
- San Blas Day Tour
- Lunch
- One Beverage: Bottle of Water, Soda or Beer
- Island Taxes
- Towels
- Chairs
- Fruit
- SUP paddle board (guests share amongst each other)
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, PanamaThe 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. 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 offeredDuring checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.Airport pickup offeredDuring 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
- Infants must sit on laps
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 127626P77- 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
- 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 :)
- The use of drones is prohibited in San Blas. Heavy fines are imposed on those who disobey the law.
- 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 live with the Kunas and respect their traditions and their primitive ways of living. No air condition - None of the islands offer A/C, some cabins don’t have fans either. 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, sheets may be old Electricity is only available between 6:00pm and 6:00am. Cabins don’t have outlets. Electric devices can be charged in the restaurant. Water is a precious commodity in San Blas. It is either brought in by boat or pumped from the island well, which may have a significant salt content. Oftentimes pumps can malfunction and cause water outages. Beds and mattresses can be uncomfortable and sheets are old and worn. 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 you will spend your time living alongside the Kunas who have different traditions and values. All services will all be handled by the indigenous Kuna. While we strive 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. Luggage is stored in the front of the boat and covered with tarps. Island cabin management - cabins are very rustic and facilities, such as showers and bathrooms are often “home-made” with PVC pipes. Some guests have complained that sheets are old. Please bring your own if you require fresh smelling sheets. Island kitchen - meal plans are repetitive and food might taste bland, without the use of spices. Additional food, drinks and snacks can be purchased on the way to San Blas. The driver will stop at a grocery store. Most Kunas DO NOT speak English. Please attempt to resolve any cabin related issues and requests directly with the island management. 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. For instance, a collection of empty gas canisters has been re-used to create a Christmas tree. 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. Some islands, such as Isla Wailidup tend to have more than others. 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. Guests who stay in cabins and would like to return earlier than their scheduled departure date must notify our reservation team one day before by 5:00pm via WhatsApp found on your ticket, in order for us to arrange your return transfer. No refunds apply for early departures. Due to the complexity of the logistics involved with each reservation in San Blas (arranging cars, boats, tours, cabins and meals), we kindly ask our guests to adhere to the itinerary schedule sent to them in advance of their trip to San Blas. For any changes in schedule, you must first contact our office at least one day before by 5:00pm and we will attempt to accommodate your request. 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. For more information, please check your ticket for the travel insurance link. 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.
- 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.
- The boat ride from the port to the islands can be bumpy. If you have any back problems we advise caution.
- 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 14 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: 127626P77
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- johnpP1138PG0 contributionsNot 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
- 160chuckt0 contributionsDefinitely 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 D0 contributionsPerfect 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
- 89lisettel0 contributionsSloth 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
- ducki170 contributionsbook 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
- 235rhondak0 contributionsGreat tourOur 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
- Belinda M0 contributionsRide from hellHorrible 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
- Sherpa682193657660 contributionsBeautiful sites, but poor executionThe 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
- 457imah0 contributionsDon’t miss this experienceThis 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 experienceWritten September 19, 2024
- rebecasX5326HT0 contributionsDont 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% reccomendedWritten September 19, 2024
- rebecasX5326HT0 contributionsBeautiful India Dormida and amazing guideThis 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
- rebecasX5326HT0 contributionsAmazing 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
- N4606JNstephanies0 contributionsYou'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
- Rizzle8Cinco0 contributionsAmazing!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
- Rizzle8Cinco0 contributionsGamboa adventureAn 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
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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Emily
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Jan 2020 • Couples
I am a huge fan of the Money Heist series on Netflix and when I saw this tour we immediately booked it. This tour was definitely one of our highlights while visiting Panama. The drive to San blas was a little rough with lots of windy roads but it was well worth it. We were greeted by a friendly English speaking Kuna guide and we visited the famous Natural Pools. The island where te he series was filmed was like I imagined. Palm trees, white sand beach and turquoise waters. We finished the tour on an island that is inhabited by the Kuna where we watched their traditional dances and purchased some beautiful souvenirs. We will definitely recommend this tour to our friends. The company we booked with was very easy to communicate with and everything, including our transportation was well arranged.
Written January 15, 2020
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.
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