I am from Thailand and have visited a lot of tropical islands over the years, so I do not get easily impressed by beach destinations. However, I found the San Blas Islands to be absolutely incredible. For one, the area is quite unique, with its shallow waters and the countless small islands dotted with a few coconut trees, creating a scene that looks straight out of a postcard and is not something you see every day.
The slow pace of remote island life, disconnected from the world and relying on basic facilities, was also a big draw for me. It is not often that you can find this kind of experience nowadays with how connected everything has become. If these things appeal to you, you are going to love the San Blas Islands.
To help you plan your trip to San Blas, I have decided to write this travel guide which includes all the information I gathered during my visit to help make planning a little less overwhelming. Read on as I go into details on the best things to do, the best island to stay on, how much it costs, what to expect, and more.
Map of San Blas Islands' Attractions
Quick Summary
| ♥️ Must See: | Relax on Chichime Island |
|---|---|
| 👍 Must Do: | Walk Across the Natural Pool at Isla Mynor |
| 🌤️ When to visit: | Dec - Apr |
7 Best Things to Do in the San Blas Islands
1. Relax on Chichime Island
- 📍 Location: Isla Chichime [Map Link]
If you only have time to stay on one island in San Blas, I highly recommend choosing Isla Chichime. It is one of the larger and more remote islands in the archipelago, with fewer visitors, more space to spread out, and some of the most beautiful beaches I saw during my trip.
Unlike some of the smaller islands closer to the mainland, Chichime never felt crowded. Even when day-trippers arrived during the day, there was still plenty of room to find a quiet spot on the beach and enjoy the scenery. By the evening, most visitors had left and the island became even more peaceful.
My favorite thing to do here was absolutely nothing. I spent hours swimming in the warm Caribbean water, walking around the island, relaxing in a hammock, and simply enjoying the view. Sometimes the best part of San Blas is embracing the slow pace of island life and doing as little as possible.
- Day Tour in San Blas Islands All Included Visiting 4 Islands (14 hours)
- Overnight at Chichime Island (2 - 4 days) 🏅 Top Pick
- San Blas 2D/1N Oceanfront Cabin – Private Bath, Meals & Boat Tour (2 days)
If you are looking for a more secluded experience in San Blas, I highly recommend staying here for at least 2 to 3 nights. The journey is a little longer and the accommodation costs slightly more than some of the other islands, but the extra effort is well worth it.
2. Visit Isla Diablo
- 📍 Location: Isla Diablo [Map Link]
Isla Diablo is one of the most popular islands in San Blas and is often included as part of island-hopping excursions from nearby islands. Despite its intimidating name, which translates to "Devil Island", the island is anything but scary. It is a picture-perfect tropical island with powdery white sand, swaying palm trees, and crystal-clear turquoise water.
I visited Isla Diablo as part of a day trip from Chichime Island and spent some time swimming, relaxing on the beach, and walking around the island. The island is relatively small, so it doesn't take long to explore, but it is a great place to relax a bit and enjoy the incredible scenery that San Blas is famous for.
Compared to Chichime, Isla Diablo felt noticeably busier due to its popularity and proximity to the mainland. Several tour boats arrived throughout the day, bringing tourists from nearby islands and Panama City, which made me glad I chose to visit it as a day trip rather than stay there overnight.
If you are looking for a classic San Blas experience with postcard-worthy beaches and easy access from the mainland, Isla Diablo is an excellent choice. It is a little cheaper than Chichime and a little closer to the mainland, but for my taste, it was also a little too crowded.
3. Have a Drink at Isla Perro
- 📍 Location: Isla Perro [Map Link]
- 💰 Entry Fees: Higher than mainland
Isla Perro, also known as Dog Island, is another popular stop on most island-hopping tours around San Blas and is located right next to Isla Diablo. The island is famous for its beautiful beach, crystal-clear water, and a real laid-back atmosphere.
It also has a small beach bar where you can grab a drink and spend the day relaxing by the water. Prices are naturally a little higher than on the mainland, but there are not many places where you can enjoy a drink with water this blue right in front of you.
When I visited, I spent most of my time relaxing on the beach with a cold drink in hand while watching boats come and go from the island. The atmosphere here felt a little livelier than Chichime, with more people arriving throughout the day, but it was still a great place to stop by for a little drink.
4. Walk Across the Natural Pool at Isla Mynor
- 📍 Location: Isla Mynor [Map Link]
Isla Mynor was one of the most unique places I visited in San Blas. Unlike the other islands, the main attraction here is a natural pool where the water is so shallow and clear that you can walk across it in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. In fact, the water was so shallow that we had to park our boat and walk 5 minutes to the island through the water!
When I arrived, I honestly couldn't believe how shallow the water was. The sea stretched out in every direction, yet the water barely reached above my waist in most places. The color of the water was incredible, ranging from crystal-clear turquoise to deeper shades of blue further out in the distance.
The island itself is tiny, with a small gift shop, and it doesn't take long to explore. However, the real highlight is simply getting in the water and walking around the natural pool. It felt like standing on a giant sandbar surrounded by nothing but open ocean, which made it one of the highlights of my visit to San Blas.
Most overnight tours include a day trip here, so be sure to bring your swimsuit and spend some time in the water. There are many starfish in the area, so be sure to watch your step when walking around.
5. Hang Out with the Guna People
As I mentioned earlier, the San Blas Islands are part of the Guna people's territory, and visiting their islands is like being welcomed into their home. The Guna have preserved much of their traditional way of life, and visiting the islands will provide you with a rare opportunity to see their culture up close in a respectful and authentic way.
During my stay, I interacted with the locals who ran the accommodation and cooked our meals. While most exchanges were simple and practical as they do not speak much English, it was still fascinating to see how life works on such remote islands.
You may also see Guna women wearing their traditional “mola” clothing, which features beautifully hand-stitched textiles with vibrant geometric patterns. These designs are an important part of their cultural identity and are often sold as handmade crafts on the islands. You can often buy them as souvenirs directly from the women as well.
As a visitor, the key is to be respectful. Always ask before taking photos, support local businesses when possible, and remember that you are a guest in their home. A visit to San Blas is not just about beaches and scenery, but also about experiencing a living culture that has existed here for generations. I definitely appreciated their culture more after my visit, so much so that I ended up buying a mola textile myself to frame at home 😉.
6. Go Stargazing
With very little development and almost no light pollution, San Blas is an incredible place for stargazing. Once the sun sets and the island quiets down, thousands of stars begin to appear overhead.
I would have loved to spend more nights simply sitting on the beach, listening to the waves while looking up at the night sky, but the weather was not on my side as it was cloudy and windy for much of my time there. So if you happen to be here during clear nights, don't forget to look up!
7. Check Out the Shipwreck near Chichime Island
- 📍 Location: San Blas Shipwreck [Map Link]
One of the more interesting sights we saw as we approached Chichime Island was a nearby sunken shipwreck, often referred to as the “San Blas ferry wreck.” It sits grounded on an outer reef near Isla Chichime in the San Blas Islands of Panama, which goes to show just how shallow some of the waters are in this area.
The vessel originally began its life in Canada as the MV Grand Manan, a passenger and vehicle ferry that operated in the Bay of Fundy between New Brunswick and Grand Manan Island. After being retired from service, it was sold and eventually brought to Panama in the 2010s with plans to use it as part of a new ferry or transport operation through the region.
However, during operations in 2016, the ship was involved in a towing incident and ran aground on a reef in San Blas. The damage was severe, and the vessel was effectively abandoned where it sits today. The shipwreck is always visible if you stay on Chichime Island, and although I wish we could have gone a little closer to see it by boat, the conditions don’t really allow for it, so all we can do is admire it from a distance.
Where to Stay in San Blas Islands?
Accommodation in San Blas is spread across many different islands, each offering a slightly different experience. Most places are simple beachfront cabins or huts managed by the local Guna people, with meals often included as part of your stay. Do not expect luxury resorts here. The appeal of San Blas is its pristine nature, crystal-clear water, and laid-back island lifestyle.
Choosing the right island is one of the most important decisions when planning your trip. Islands closer to the mainland, such as Isla Diablo, Isla Perro, and Isla Iguana, are generally easier to reach and often a little cheaper, but they can also be much busier. More remote islands like Chichime tend to be quieter, less crowded, and feel more like a private island experience.
In my opinion, it is best to book your accommodation through an organized tour, as they can also arrange all the transportation logistics for you. Getting to the islands independently can be quite complicated, so booking accommodation separately through sites like Booking.com is not something I would recommend for most travelers. I went with San Blas Dreams, and the entire process was smooth from start to finish.
Which Island Is the Best?
In my opinion, Chichime Island is the best island to stay on in San Blas. It is larger, more beautiful, and noticeably less crowded than many of the more popular islands closer to the mainland. While it takes a little longer to reach and costs a bit more, I found the extra effort well worth it for the more relaxed atmosphere and stunning beaches.
The accommodation is quite basic, although there are private bungalow options available if you are traveling as a couple or in a group. Otherwise, you will likely be staying in a shared room, as I did. Regardless of which type of accommodation you choose, expect to share bathroom facilities, as running water is limited on most islands.
When I was there, a few day-trippers visited the island during the day, but at night, there was only one Spanish guy, a group of three Czech women, and another couple staying at my accommodation, which felt just about perfect. I also walked around the island and saw a few other travelers staying at different accommodations, but because Chichime is a larger island and everyone is spread out, it never felt crowded like some of the other islands I visited.
If you are looking for a shorter trip or a lower budget option, islands like Isla Diablo, Isla Perro, and Isla Iguana are also great choices. They are easier to reach and often cheaper, but they can feel quite crowded during the day as many tour boats stop there.
When choosing which island to stay on, keep in mind that you are not confined to that island for your entire trip. Most multi-day tours include island-hopping excursions, so you will still get to visit several other islands and won't miss out on the highlights. I stayed on Chichime Island and still visited Isla Diablo, Isla Perro, and Isla Mynor as part of a day trip.
After visiting several islands around the archipelago, I was glad I chose Chichime as my base. It felt more like a remote tropical paradise and less like a busy tourist stop, which is exactly what I was looking for.
When to Visit San Blas Islands?
The best time to visit San Blas is during the dry season from December to April, when the weather is generally sunnier and sea conditions tend to be calmer. That said, the weather can be very unpredictable in this part of Panama, and rain and strong winds can occur even during the driest months.
I visited in late January and still experienced a mix of sunshine, clouds, rain, and strong winds. The journey to the islands was calm and pleasant, but on the way back, it became so windy and rainy that I was completely soaked from head to toe by seawater spraying over the sides of the boat. I was genuinely worried for my safety at times! In fact, locals told me that tours had been canceled for an entire week before my arrival due to rough weather.
Unlike places such as Bocas del Toro, San Blas is exposed to the open Caribbean Sea, so weather conditions can change quickly. If possible, keep an eye on the forecast before booking and leave some flexibility in your itinerary. I met several travelers who arrived before me but were unable to visit because of the weather, so be sure to build a few buffer days into your plans just in case.
How to Get to San Blas Islands?
The easiest way to visit San Blas is by booking an organized tour from Panama City. Getting there involves a roughly 2-hour drive from the city into Guna territory, where you will need to pay an entrance fee of about 23 USD before continuing by speedboat to the island where you plan to stay.
With so many connections involved, I can only imagine how complicated the trip would be to organize independently. For most of you, I would highly recommend booking an organized tour instead and letting them handle all the logistics. Most tours offer an optional round-trip transfer from Panama City, which typically costs around 60 USD per person.
The journey typically involves a 4WD transfer from Panama City to the coast followed by a speedboat ride to your island. Depending on which island you stay on, the entire trip usually takes around 3 to 5 hours one way.
I traveled with San Blas Dreams, one of the more established operators in the region, and the process was straightforward from start to finish. They picked me up from my hotel in Panama City at 5:30 AM, and we arrived at the pier around 7:30 AM.
The process at the pier can be a little confusing and hectic since it is managed independently by the Guna people, with very little involvement from the tour companies, so be prepared. I ended up waiting around 30–40 minutes before the boat heading to my island, Chichime, arrived, and then we were finally on our way.
From what I observed, this is how the process works at the pier. Before arriving, the driver will usually place a wristband on you. This allows the boat operators and drivers to identify which tour company you are traveling with and helps them direct you throughout the journey.
The pier is often busy and a little chaotic, and it is not uncommon for travelers to get separated from their group while trying to find their driver or boat operator. If you are unsure where to go, simply approach one of the locals and tell them which company you are traveling with. They will usually know exactly who to contact, where you should wait, and can help point you in the right direction.
What Is Included in a Typical Tour?
Most tours include boat transportation to and from your chosen island, island activities, and all meals during your stay. In many cases, you will pay a deposit of around 30% to the tour company in advance, while the remaining balance is paid in cash directly to the Guna people on the island where you will be staying.
Ground transportation from Panama City is often available as an add-on for around 60 USD round trip, although some packages may already include it. If it is not included, you will usually need to pay the driver in cash when you arrive at the pier. The transfer is shared with other travelers, so expect several people in the vehicle. Since many travelers book different itineraries and stay on different islands, you will likely split up after arriving at the pier and continue your journey with different boats.
Depending on the driver and schedule, they may stop at a small roadside café for a quick breakfast along the way, but this is not guaranteed, so I would recommend bringing some snacks or grabbing breakfast beforehand since the pickup is usually very early in the morning.
My driver stopped for about 20 minutes right before entering Guna territory, around 30 minutes before arriving at the pier, which was a nice bonus and gave everyone a chance to grab breakfast and use the restroom before continuing the journey.
Island-hopping excursions to places like Isla Diablo, Isla Perro, and Isla Mynor are often included depending on the package you choose. Mine was included, and there were only three of us on the boat, so it almost felt like a private island-hopping tour, which was awesome.
Food and Drinks in San Blas
Most accommodations provide simple home-cooked meals that are included in your package. Expect fresh seafood, rice, vegetables, and traditional local dishes. If you have any dietary restrictions, be sure to let the tour company know in advance and remind the staff on the island when you check in. I would also recommend bringing some snacks with you, as food options on the islands can be quite limited.
Drinks are usually not included, including bottled drinking water. Since there is no running water on most islands, I recommend bringing a few bottles of water with you to avoid paying extra. Soft drinks on the islands cost around 2 USD per bottle, at least when I visited.
How Many Days Should You Spend in San Blas?
- Day 1: Traveling to San Blas Islands, relax on the island
- Day 2: Day trip around the island, visit Isla Diablo, Isla Perro, Isla Mynor, and more
- Day 3: Traveling back to Panama City
Things to Know Before You Visit
Cash Only: Most islands operate on a cash-only basis, so bring enough cash for drinks, snacks, and any additional expenses. Some might accept credit cards, but prepare to pay the surcharges of 5% or more.
No Running Water: Most islands do not have running water. Expect basic facilities and occasional bucket showers.
Limited Electricity: Electricity is often only available during certain hours of the day, usually in the evening. Be sure to bring a power bank or two to keep your electronics charged throughout your stay.
Internet & Cell Signal: Internet access is often available via Starlink, depending on the island, although connection speeds can vary. Mobile coverage can also be unreliable in some areas. Chichime Island had surprisingly good Wi-Fi during my stay, and I had no trouble getting online most of the time.
What to Pack: Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, cash, a dry bag, a reusable water bottle, swimwear, and a lightweight rain jacket in case the weather turns. Don't forget your passport, as you will need it to enter Guna territory.
Try to pack light, as space in the shared vehicles and speedboats can be limited. If you have dietary restrictions, I would also recommend bringing your own snacks since food options on the islands can be quite limited. If you are prone to seasickness, also bring seasickness pills for the boat ride.
What Not to Pack: Drones are a big no-no, as flying them is prohibited throughout the San Blas Islands. I would also avoid bringing larger electronics such as laptops whenever possible, as there is always a chance your belongings could get wet during the boat transfers, especially if the weather turns rough.
Is it safe to visit San Blas Islands?
In terms of safety, there is very little to worry about in San Blas. You are on a small, remote island with barely anyone around other than fellow travelers and the locals who live and work there, so I felt perfectly safe throughout my stay.
The biggest risk here is actually the weather and sea conditions rather than crime. Speedboat rides can become rough when conditions deteriorate, so always listen to your guides and check the forecast before traveling.
Trust me, I am speaking from experience here. On the way back from the islands, I had to travel in extremely windy conditions and was holding on for dear life as the speedboat slammed through the waves on its way back to shore. I was completely soaked from head to toe from the sea spray.
It was probably the scariest boat ride of my life, and that is saying something considering I have been on my fair share of sketchy boat rides over the years! If the weather forecast is not looking good, I recommend you wait it out or skip it entirely. The island is nice but it is not worth losing your life for 😬.
How Much Does a Trip to San Blas Cost?
Costs vary depending on the island, accommodation type, and number of nights. Most overnight tours range from around 150–400 USD per person for a multi-day trip, excluding optional transportation from Panama City. Drinks, snacks, and other extras may cost additional money, so bring some cash with you. You can find a list of itinerary and prices here.
The farther away the island, the more expensive the tour is likely to be, but that usually comes with the benefit of fewer crowds. For example, I chose Chichime, one of the more remote islands in the archipelago. It was more expensive than places like Isla Diablo, Isla Perro, or Isla Iguana, about 50 USD more expensive, but it was also far less crowded. After visiting some of those islands on day trips, I was glad I chose Chichime as my base.
I booked my trip through San Blas Dreams and stayed on Chichime Island for 1 night. The tour cost 175 USD in total, with a 35 USD deposit paid to the company during booking and the remaining 140 USD paid in cash directly to the Guna people on the island. Transportation between Panama City and San Blas cost an additional 60 USD, which I paid directly to the driver, bringing my total cost to around 235 USD.
If you want to stay longer on Chichime Island, expect to pay around 235 USD for a 2-night stay, which includes 6 meals but excludes transportation from Panama City. A 3-night stay costs around 290 USD and includes 9 meals, also excluding transfers.
Is San Blas Worth Visiting?
Absolutely. Despite the long journey, basic facilities, and unpredictable weather, San Blas was one of my favorite experiences in Panama.
The islands are stunningly beautiful, the water is some of the clearest I have seen anywhere in the Caribbean, and spending a few days disconnected from the modern world is incredibly refreshing.
As someone who grew up in Thailand surrounded by beautiful tropical islands, I don't say this lightly: San Blas genuinely felt like paradise. Plus, who knows how long these little islands will last with all the global warming and rising sea levels, so if you have the chance to visit, do it while you still can!
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