I had the opportunity to visit the San Blas Islands of Guna Yala this past Easter weekend with a couple of friends that were in town visiting. Here’s a little bit about my trip to Paradise!

 

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A little bit about San Blas

The San Blas Islands are an archipelago on the northeast Caribbean Coast of Panama. These beautiful and pristine islands are home to the Kuna Indians.

Most of the local economy comes from fishing, eco-tours, and the manufacture of craft/artisan goods like jewelry and clothing. Most popular are their molas, which are beautiful hand-crafted cloths often featuring scenes of local flora and fauna. (Here is a great guide on buying molas.)

How to get there

You can drive a rental car or book a local tour company from Panama City to Carti Port. The drive goes about an hour along a paved road, and then 1 more hour up and down the mountains. Make sure you have a 4×4, as the path gets semi-paved and pretty steep.

From Carti Port, you’re only a 20 minute water taxi away from enjoying a day on the islands. (* More travel guides available online like roughguides and sanblastours.

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Highlights of the San Blas Experience!

1. Sailboating

Our group took a 3 night sailboat trip in San Blas and it was incredible. We spent our time slowly sailing from island to island; stopping every few to enjoy a swim and relax on the pristine beach.

2. Snorkelling

San Blas waters are incredibly clear and offer a great snorkelling experience. Not all islands/beaches have a great coral reef, so make sure you ask your drive/captain to take you to the best spots.

3. Swimming

You can’t go wrong with a swim to cool off from the  the blazing tropical heat. Good news is, that’s all there is to do in San Blas and it’s just a dive off the boat away!

4. Tranquility

The best part of San Blas is getting away from the hustle and noise of the city. During the day, all you see is nothingness for miles; giving you a liberating sense of freedom. In the afternoon you can enjoy a beautiful bright red sunset falling over the water. At night, before the moon comes out, you can gaze up and see a beautifully lit starry sky. Views like these truly deliver the feeling of vacation.

 

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Don’t miss out on exploring this natural beauty, hidden in the Caribbean Coasts of Panama! It’s on the pricier side of trips; but it’s an authentic and unique experience you just can’t get anywhere else.

Cheers till next time!

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p.s. Interested in Sailing?

If you’re ever interested in Sailing through San Blas, I highly recommend a trip with Captain Miro along his 41 foot “Perle”. Miro and his crew were incredibly friendly and made our time a great one. They showed us some secret spots, packed tons of stories and cooked us some incredible meals with freshly caught fish. You can contact him and read his reviews directly on his San Blas Tours page. Or let me know, and I’d be happy to connect you with local tour operators.