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Best Group Activities in San Blas Islands

THE 5 BEST Large Group Activities & Things to Do in San Blas Islands

Best Group Activities in San Blas Islands

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Travelers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travelers across the globe.
Traveler rating
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9 results sorted by traveler favorites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.

What travelers are saying

  • kelvi
    bay area, ca209 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We stayed here for 1 night in July 2024.

    - We got a private room and shared bath option.
    - The boat dropped us off around 10AM on day 1. Our the agency thru which we had booked the stay did not include snorkel , but we rented equipment from the island for 5$ - it is worth it - the sunken ship isnt too far off the coast and you can see parts even if you cannot swim.
    -Food: We are vegetarians - so food was rice (sometimes with coconut), a salad and some plantains. It was monotonous (all three meals) , but perfectly acceptable. A drink also comes along with each meal.
    - Accommodation : The room has beds , 2 fans and a small stool to keep your bag; Oh and a light. That's it. But it was clean . the sheets were clean , we had great ocean views from the room. I had a great night's sleep - Absolutely no issues.
    It also rained heavily in the evening , nothing got messy.
    - People : the locals in the island are friendly. They know to give you space and keep out of your way. But will look out for you too.
    -Island : it was crowded with the day tours , but once the crowd goes, it is amazing. Do you get bored? No way !
    We went on island tours on Day 2 but honestly , staying at the island on Day1 was awesome. Don't get me wrong , the day tours will let you hop islands and go with the crowd and get you a busy day - but the stay the previous day and chilling out was the highlight for me.

    Overall: I loved it . if we had time , we would have taken the 2N-3D option which would have been perfect. Cannot wait to go back.
    You cannot go wrong with any island you choose.
    Written July 7, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • mary fitz
    Palo Alto, CA20 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    My husband and I treasured our six precious days sailing on the Liberté around San Blas, booked through Chris at Catamaran Adventures, an exceptionally competent trip facilitator. Looking for a reset after a very difficult year, we wanted only to unwind, reconnect with each other and with nature, and clear our minds. Not sure we could’ve found a more perfect travel experience to meet those exact intentions. The archipelago’s sublime beauty, its peace and quiet and solitude, clear waters, star-filled skies, colorful reefs, empty white-sand beaches, and fascinating, friendly inhabitants provided a rich and meaningful experience, one for the ages. Under Cpt Lucio’s open-hearted leadership, the Liberté crew was excellent and graciously met our every desire. Each day we'd awake, drink coffee, eat a delicious breakfast, snorkel, paddle board around tiny islands, eat another delicious meal, do some more exploring of some kind (hiking, sailing, walking on beaches, swimming), read, play cards, talk–and then, as the sun lowered on the horizon, we’d have a couple of drinks, eat yet another (!!) delicious meal, and hang out under the stars. Rinse, repeat.
    Written December 5, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Anton C
    Singapore, Singapore4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Incredible experience! Paradises island with awesome views m. The company organized everything properly and with a great cost! Totally recommended
    Written June 30, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • wayne r
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had an incredible 3 days with captain Elena and her incredible cook/hostess Anzhelica! Fresh seafood is amazing, the boat is stocked with water toys, snorkeling equipment and 2 paddleboards. The water is crystal clear around the island reefs. Elena knows all of the good spots and made sure that we had a fantastic time.
    Written October 28, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • opensourcesoluti2023
    Mandeville, Jamaica1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very professional and courteous staff. Flexible team especially when you have a large group who wanted to do different stuff
    Written August 2, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Vi n
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One week in Panama, including 5 days in the San Blas islands. Here's my unfiltered review: it's a bit of an adventure, but absolutely worth it.

    I chose to go during the off-season, partly because it was cheaper, and also because it coincided with my son's school holidays. A trip just for the two of us.

    We arrived the day before in Panama City and booked a room at "Mamallena". It's a great option for budget travelers: clean and just a 10-minute walk from the waterfront,it was nice but it's pretty basic. If you have a bit more to spend, I’d recommend staying in the old town – it has way more charm.

    For the transfer to San Blas, we followed the advice of our booker and chose Lam Tour. The night before, I got a WhatsApp message confirming the taxi would arrive at 5:15 AM. Right on the dot, a lifted 4x4 pulled up. It was comfortable, and there were six of us in the car. The ride took about 4 hours, with non-stop rain, making me second-guess whether summer was the best choice for a vacation... The roads were in good condition but full of twists and turns, so watch out for motion sickness! If you can, try to grab a front seat. After that, we hopped on a "lancha" for a 1.5-hour boat ride. As we got closer, the sky started to clear, as if the clouds were clinging to the mainland.

    We finally arrived at the catamaran El Gitano del Mar, which we had booked directly through catamaransanblas.com because they are the owner . Write better:
    We got around 15% better deal by booking through their site instead of using boat platforms

    The boat looked just like the photos, and we were welcomed with fresh fruit and juice. As soon as we dropped our bags, the captain took us to a tiny, absolutely stunning island – straight out of a postcard. The perfect place to feel like a modern-day Robinson Crusoe.

    Every day, we explored new islands. It was the perfect opportunity to try paddleboarding (way harder than it looks!). The islands are incredibly beautiful – small patches of white sand with palm trees and huts made of palm leaves. During the off-season, we had the islands to ourselves, which was an amazing feeling. It’s surreal to think that we were probably among the happiest people in the world at that moment, enjoying such peace and beauty. Real privilege.

    The weather was mostly cloudy during our 5 days, with a few scattered showers, but honestly, that was a relief – the sun is strong, even through the clouds. The crew was wonderful: warm and friendly, but also discreet, creating a relaxed atmosphere. We enjoyed giant crabs, lobsters, fresh fruit – all natural and delicious. It was no air conditioning, but during the day it’s not at all an issue since we were mostly outside, taking a dip in the water every couple of hours. However, at night the cabin did get pretty warm. Thankfully, they provided a big portable fan that you can clip anywhere in the cabin, and it made all the difference. Without it, sleeping would have been difficult, but with it, the comfort level was completely transformed.
    Honestly, if I could have, I would have stayed two extra days. The calm and beauty of the place are just irresistible.
    My son was really happy and even got to steer the boat, and the crew took the time to teach him paddleboarding, chess, and swam with him from island to island (with a float). He came back with a head full of memories, and for that alone, the trip was priceless.
    Written August 21, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Roger C
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had a great time! The captain and the crew are fantastic. The Gina people are very friendly. The food was delicious and fresh. We had lobsters, fish and crab straight out from the water by the fishermen. The snorkeling was Amazing. It was truly a fantastic experience. This place is PARADISE! I will definitely be coming back as soon as possible. Thank you JP & Helena!
    Written August 21, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Michael L
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Captain Fred and his crew were amazing. His knowledge of the area and relationship with the Guna people made our trip truly special. An incredible experience filled with memories that will last a lifetime!
    Written November 11, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Marta C
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An amazing experience, incredibly friendly people, great food and paradisiac place. 100% recommended!!
    Written October 30, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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