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Day Tour in San Blas Islands: Explore 4 Exotic Islands and Indulge in Exciting Activities
4.5
1,308 Ratings
San Blas Islands
Embark on a day tour of San Blas Islands and explore 4 exotic islands. Enjoy exciting activities like kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, and indulge in delicious local cuisine. Support the local community and learn about their way of life.
Embark on a day tour of San Blas Islands and explore 4 exotic islands. Enjoy exciting activities like kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, and indulge in delicious local cuisine. Support the local community and learn about their way of life.
Duration:
14 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- San Blas Islands - The pickup begins at 5:20 am from your hotel or Airbnb in a shared 4x4 vehicle accommodating six passengers. Once everyone is on board, we’ll stop at a supermarket for you to purchase snacks, drinks (beer, wine, water, etc.), or withdraw cash from an ATM (cards are not accepted in San Blas). The drive takes approximately three…
- San Blas Islands - The pickup begins at 5:20 am from your hotel or Airbnb in a shared 4x4 vehicle accommodating six passengers. Once everyone is on board, we’ll stop at a supermarket for you to purchase snacks, drinks (beer, wine, water, etc.), or withdraw cash from an ATM (cards are not accepted in San Blas). The drive takes approximately three hours, with the last hour being a bumpy ride through the San Blas hills. Our experienced drivers, who travel to San Blas daily, might even spot a sloth or monkeys along the way if you’re lucky.
You’ll arrive at the port around 8:30 am and board the boat once all cars have arrived. Your guide, Naidi, will introduce himself. After a 30-minute boat ride, you’ll reach the first island in this paradise: Island Perro Grande. Here, you’ll find fruits, umbrellas, and beach chairs. You can use kayaks and paddleboards exclusively to explore the island at your leisure, just for our clients!
Please note that the drivers do not speak English, only our guide does, but they will make an effort to communicate with you.
- San Blas Islands - Niunuidub is one of the best islands in San Blas, where we provide kayaks and paddleboards for our clients. You’ll have time to relax and enjoy a fruit snack.
- San Blas Islands - Visit a small island called Iguana, renowned for its beauty, where you can enjoy the beach all around.
- Isla Perro - The next stop is lunch around 12 pm at the famous Island Perro Chico. Enjoy a delicious lunch featuring the catch of the day (fish, octopus, shrimp, or lobster for an additional cost), chicken, or lentils for vegans, served with patacones and coconut rice!
After lunch, grab your snorkel mask or ask Naidi for one, and dive into the water to snorkel at the best spot in San Blas, which features a sunken boat that has become a reef teeming with tiny colorful fish.
Have fun with the locals and play volleyball with them!
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San Blas Islands - Our final stop is at the natural swimming pool, a sandbank in the middle of the ocean with water up to your chest or hips. Enjoy finding starfish or simply relax and admire the surroundings.
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Panama City - It’s time to say goodbye to this little paradise! Around 3:30 pm, you’ll be back at the port and will arrive at your hotel in Panama City around 7 pm, filled with souvenirs!
What's Included
- Beach toys, pickle ball, mini golf, water bed exclusive for our clients
- Traditional Lunch (Fresh fish with salad and rice)
- Shared Boat transportation from Port – Islands– Port
- Kayaks & Paddle board to share
- Welcome Snack (fruits)
- Snorkel MASK
- Tours to Perro Chico, Diablo, Niunudub or Chichime and Natural Swimming pool (4 Islands)
- Shared…
- Beach toys, pickle ball, mini golf, water bed exclusive for our clients
- Traditional Lunch (Fresh fish with salad and rice)
- Shared Boat transportation from Port – Islands– Port
- Kayaks & Paddle board to share
- Welcome Snack (fruits)
- Snorkel MASK
- Tours to Perro Chico, Diablo, Niunudub or Chichime and Natural Swimming pool (4 Islands)
- Shared transportation from Panama City – Port – Panama City for 6 passengers
- 1 Drink (Beer, Bottle water or soda)
What's Not Included
- Entrance and port fees (25USD per person)
- Infant spot in the car $50USD both ways, or can travel in adult laps for free.
- Pick in Dreams or Westin Playa Bonita $10USD pp. both ways.
- Entrance and port fees (25USD per person)
- Infant spot in the car $50USD both ways, or can travel in adult laps for free.
- Pick in Dreams or Westin Playa Bonita $10USD pp. both ways.
Additional Information
Experience the most unique adventure in the San Blas Islands, visiting the four most stunning islands in just one day.
Enjoy kayaking or paddle boarding at Island Niunudub or Chichime, relax on one of the most beautiful beaches at Diablo Island, swim in the natural pool teeming with starfish, snorkel at the shipwreck on the renowned Perro Chico Island,…
Experience the most unique adventure in the San Blas Islands, visiting the four most stunning islands in just one day.
Enjoy kayaking or paddle boarding at Island Niunudub or Chichime, relax on one of the most beautiful beaches at Diablo Island, swim in the natural pool teeming with starfish, snorkel at the shipwreck on the renowned Perro Chico Island, and savor a delicious lunch prepared by locals on Perro Chico Island. If luck is on your side, our driver, known for spotting sloths along the road, will enhance your journey.
We provide umbrellas, beach chairs, kayaks, paddle boards, snorkel masks, beach toys, pickleball, mini golf, and a water bed exclusively for our clients!
We proudly support the local community. San Blas is an indigenous protected area, and all our staff, including those in transportation, boating, and food services, are local Gunas. You’ll have the opportunity to experience their lifestyle and learn about their culture.
- Pickup from your lodging is scheduled between 5:00 AM and 5:30 AM, although in some cases it may be as late as 5:45 AM. To ensure a smooth experience for all guests, please be ready and waiting in your hotel lobby by 5:00 AM. If you are not at the designated pickup point, the driver will try to locate you, but cannot delay transportation for more than 10 minutes.
- You are allowed to bring additional beverages.
- PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO BRING YOUR ORGINAL PASSPORT. WITH OUT IT, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER TO SAN BLAS.
- Please notice San Blas is an Indian protected zone. All the services are basic and rustic, only kuna people are in charge of all tourist’s services such as food, ground and water transportation, lodging, etc, we work with them to support the local economy. Please take this into consideration, the services are not as in the city, the waiting time can be long, and kunas are more informal. We have provided hospitality train to them, but they are still working on it, their culture is different, they are never in a rush, this is part of the adventure to San Blas. Food is basic such as fresh fried fish with salad and rice.
- The vehicle is 4x4 for 6 passengers plus the driver. Pick up time is between 5:20am to 6:00am depending on the route, you can be first ones of last ones. Please be ready at 5:00AM to avoid any delays to other passengers. No Show – or Mayor delays will incur in a penalty – cost of reservation fee. In case you will be pick up in Costa del este or near to the airport, pick up time is between 5:45 and 6:00am
- Day tour return is at 3:30PM. You will arrive in Panama City between 6:30PM and 7:00PM.
- We recommend you bring your personal hygiene items, towels, sunscreen, mosquito repellent. You can bring a cooler with your own drinks, potable water, snacks and beverages (fruit juice or alcohol) you can by on site or bring it yourself.
- The driver will make a stop in a super market where you can buy a disposable cooler, ice etc.
- In San Blas Islands there are no ATMs, only cash in received. You can buy drinks there, snacks, souvenirs etc.“+Movil” and “Digicel” are the cell phone companies which works in San Blas Islands.
- There is no power electricity in the huts, only light.
- Transport time is 2.5 hours way in and 2.5 back. Then 40 minutes to the island in boat. Real time in Islands is around 6 hours.
Location
San Blas Islands
, Panama City
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.5
(1308 Ratings)
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Samantha_b
Mar 3, 2025
Relaxed adventure - We had the most fun on our trip to the San Blas islands. Our driver was thoughtful and confident on the windy road drive. We knew what to expect every step of the way thanks to the pre trip communications so we were prepared. The crew was also much appreciated and made sure we had a great time while island hopping. I highly recommend this trip if you are looking for a unique adventure. Make sure to pack for the weather and have lots of sunscreen.
Review provided by Viator
Melissas8883
Mar 1, 2025
Great adventure! - The trip was wonderful and our guides were great. It’s a very long day and if you get motion sickness make sure you take something as the last hour to get to the boats is very hilly with a lot of curves.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bob
Feb 20, 2025
San blas was exactly like we expected - We loved the beaches and the sunshine.
The boats were in great shape.
Very friendly hosts and tour guides.
The meal was very nice
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Debbie_a
Feb 27, 2025
An exhausting but enjoyable day - Collected obscenely early driver seemed very nice but limited English. Met by a tour guide at the boat to go to the islands. Was really frustrated that his English was also very poor and didn’t explain anything about the Islands nor the indigenous people and the fact there are inverted swastika flags everywhere. We all got such a shock seeing that. We loved the islands the sea the beaches the incredible scenery was breathtaking. I was really disappointed that the coral was all brown there was no colour at all. We did see loads of fish though which was great. I think there should have been some warning about not standing on the coral. The snorkling equipment wasn’t great leaked all the time. It was a really long day but overall I would recommend. The lunch was fabulous.
Review provided by Viator
Candace_t
Feb 24, 2025
It is a long journey to get to the dock! - I was a little bothered with the communication about the morning pick-up. As directed, I used WhatsApp the afternoon and evening before to text all the numbers given in the paperwork, I texted in English and Spanish, and I saw that my texts were read, but I did not get a response from any of them. I ended up sending Viator a message and got a vague response "dear client be ready in the lobby at 5:20am" but this was the generic email they sent everyone. It would have been nice to get a message addressed to me, acknowledging that they knew the name of my hotel, and told me the name of my driver, but that didn't happen. The next morning I received a text from a number not listed on the paperwork with no name or title, only "I am on my way." Once the driver reached our hotel the driver got out and showed me a picture of myself. I have no idea how he got that picture either. At that point my Spanish speaking husband took over and we soon found ourselves in the very back of the SUV. It was very tight. I had prepared myself with Dramamine because I get very car sick. Thankfully it made fall asleep. We had a completely full car so everyone felt squished, but we knew that going into it. The driver did his best to keep everyone comfortable and he knew the road well. Everyone in the car spoke Spanish except me so they had lovely conversations while I napped. You will stop at a gas station for a restroom break and to purchase snacks. There are MANY other drivers and SUV's there and the place is jammed packed with tourists. Make sure to keep track of your driver so you know where to go when it is time to leave. It is still a long journey to get to the dock!
Once at the dock they served us pineapple, which was very good. Bring coins because my husband said he had to pay to use the restroom. We were not at this location long at all. They quickly got us into our life-jackets and onto the boat. The boat ride was actually much longer that I thought it was going to be. Once at the first island you can snorkel if you want. We did not do that because they were not cleaning the mouth pieces of the snorkel and it seemed gross to us. However, this first island was my favorite. It was big enough you could spread out, walk the whole island and it had beautiful water. Lunch was served here. We had the fried fish with hot sauce and tostones, and it was delicious! The next island was smaller and had a few kayaks and Instagram picture spots. The natural pool was shallow, with clear water in the middle of the ocean which seems crazy when you think about it. The final island was slammed with tourists. There were so many people there the beach was very, very crowded and the bar was selling over-hyped, over-priced drinks. This was my least favorite island because of the crowds and limited space.
The restrooms on the 3 islands were not as described in other reviews. I saw people actively cleaning them and repairing them. They were fine. I was thankful they had anything at all with the constant waves of tourists.
Overall the islands are as described. They are plain and traditional. There are no beach lounge chairs, no frills, just traditional cultures sharing their way of life with you. If you are looking for lavish beaches full of toys and activities to keep you and your kids busy, this is not for you and you need to reread the description.
The drive back to the hotel seemed longer somehow, but I knew that would be the case. We were in the very back again and by the time we got to out hotel our legs were cramping from being cramped in that small space. I knew this might happen so I can't blame the driver.
Overall, it was a very long day and it was good day because we read the description many times and all the reviews so we knew what we were getting into. We are glad we went to San Blas, but we would probably not do it again. Since the road is now 98% paved, I wonder if they will eventually switch to vans to make the journey more comfortable???
Review provided by Viator
S1656shsusannag
Feb 20, 2025
San Blas was a blast!!! - This was a great trip! Unfortunately we ran into a storm so it kinda ruined a bit of the fun!
The staff were really helpful & friendly & the islands we went to were nice & some snorkeling!
All in all! Worth the $$
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tamara_r
Feb 20, 2025
experience could be better by improving services - In all sincerity, I regret having chosen this company to go to San Blas. The guide didn't give us the information we needed, we were dropped off on the beaches without being told what we could and couldn't do, what activities were available and what weren't. We constantly had to ask about departure times, whether or not we could use kayaks and so on.
The stop on the 1st beach (which is very beautiful) is very long, even though it's the one where we didn't have a canoe, kayak etc. We only had one hour on the beach, the only one, where there were 3 unfortunate kayaks for the whole group, no beach games apart from a volleyball and courts where the net was on the ground. and a football.
On the penultimate beach I was happy with the promise, to play volleyball with the locals, male tourists were playing, there were still places to play (I am a volleyball player in my country), and 1 tourist refused to let me play because I was a woman, a local objected, one of the guides who was there didn't mind, played while I stayed put on the sand!
The bathrooms and the restrooms were so dirty that it has been impossible to have a shower before we left the expeirences.
Don't expect to have sun loungers, there aren't any, you're on the ground. the last beach was very quiet, relaxing and beautiful.
The lunch was very delicious and fresh, they will propose you filets or whole fish, or chicken and other things that are very tasty.
the boat trip went very well, the staff were very friendly, and the highlight was the driver who was incredible as the land route is very uncomfortable but amazing and beautiful. Don't eat a heavy breakfast before !!!!We weren't too big a group, so it was great for getting to know each other.
i gave a tip to the driver but not to the guide because he should ameliorate his services;
Review provided by Viator
Andrina_d
Mar 3, 2025
Good, not great - The islands were beautiful, but after the total cost of $195 per person, I wouldn't have booked it. The drive was long, some got sick. The boats are packed with 24 people. Towels and paddle boards were not available as advertised, and one of the island stops was actually a sandbar. Tour guides were friendly. Lunch was pretty good. Disappointed in the execution.
Review provided by Viator
Ashley_s
Mar 2, 2025
San Blas Islands Tour Review: Not Worth the Price And time - I was really looking forward to this tour, but unfortunately, it did not live up to expectations. The biggest issue is that the ad is misleading—it claims to provide services like beach chairs and towels, but these were nowhere to be found. In reality, all this tour does is provide transportation, which itself was exhausting. The trip from Panama City to the port took five hours, followed by another 45-minute boat ride to the first island. That’s a total of nearly six hours just to get there!
For the price, I expected more than just transportation. I specifically chose this tour because of the number of reviews and assumed the higher cost meant better service and more comfort. That wasn’t the case. There was no guided history or cultural context provided about the native people, which was disappointing. The only included meal was lunch, which was okay, but beyond that, any snacks or drinks had to be purchased separately.
While the beaches themselves were beautiful, they weren’t enough to justify the long, exhausting travel time and lack of engaging activities. Overall, I found the experience quite boring. If you’re considering a trip to the San Blas Islands, I’d recommend looking for a cheaper option or even another local beach that won’t take up 15hrs of your day, it was not worth the time and effort . I attempted to communicate my disappointed in the misleading nature of the Ad to the tour operator and they refused to compensate me for blatant lie told in the Ad.
THIS IS THE SAME TOUR AS THE $60 OPTIONS ON VIATOR. IF YOU REALLY WANT TO WASTE YOUR DAY TRAVELING HERE CHOSE ONE OF THE CHEAPER OPTIONS , ITS THE SAME EXACT EXPERIENCE!
Review provided by Viator
Ingebordc
Feb 19, 2025
Regular experience, need to improve planning and customer service. Nice beaches. - I think one should be clear in what you offer versus what you deliver: while there were 3 islands these were waily, nugnudub and devil; which is not what it says in the description. Personally I chose this tour because I wanted to know the pelican island that comes out in the statement. They didn’t deliver the snorkel mask either, and while the light breakfast they mention is just pineapple, they never come close to offering it, if I don’t see they were delivering something I don’t get anything. It lacks organization. When we arrived we were told to sit down for lunch at 11:30 but the dishes were delivered by name and we were served at about 12:15 and the truth was 3, two received the dish almost together and the third was the last one arrived, so we did not eat at the same time and lost time to enjoy the beach. While I saw the kayaks, minigolf or other services included I didn't find them.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
