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San Blas Island Hopping Tour with New Exclusive Paradise Island

Panama City, Panama
Popular pick
Booked 5+ times last week!
  • 14 hours (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

    What's Included

    • Shared roundtrip transfer from your hotel in Panama City to Port of Carti
    • Shared boat/lancha transportation all day
    • Shared Snorkel Equipment (Please request from boat crew up. Guests may bring their own)
    • Tour to Isla Perro, Isla Diablo or Isla Yansailadup or Arena Blanca PLUS the famous Natural Pool
    • One beverage: Bottle of water, soda or beer
    • Island Taxes
    • Air-conditioned vehicle
    • Lunch
      Fried fish or chicken with rice and salad. Vegetarian options available.
    • Guna Entrance Fee paid to Border patrol ($22 for Internationals, $7 for Panamanian residents)

    Meeting and Pickup

    Pickup points

    Select a pickup point

    Pickup details

    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 (1 up front, 3 in the middle row, and 2 in the back row), 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 lose your tour without refund. Please note that the car drivers only speak Spanish. 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.

    Operating hours
    .5:00 am

    Itinerary

    1

    Panama City

    3 hours Admission Ticket Free

    2

    San Blas Islands

    1 hour Admission Ticket Included

    3

    San Blas Islands

    4 hours Admission Ticket Included

    4

    San Blas Islands

    3 hours Admission Ticket Free

    5

    Panama City

    3 hours Admission Ticket Free

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Infants must sit on laps
    • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
    • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Most travelers can participate
    • “Tigo” is the cell phone company that has the best reception in San Blas.
    • The use of drones is prohibited in San Blas! Heavy fines are imposed on those who ignore the rules.
    • The boat transfer from the port to the islands may be bumpy with some sea spray. If you are sensitive to motion sickness, please prepare accordingly by bringing appropriate medication. You may also get wet, so please bring some water protection for your luggage and yourself
    • 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 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 ;)
    • PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO BRING YOUR ORGINAL PASSPORT. WITHOUT IT, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE GUNA TERRITORY AND THE SAN BLAS ISLANDS.
    • In San Blas Islands there are no ATMs, please bring cash. You can buy additional drinks, snacks, souvenirs etc.
    • SAN BLAS DISCLAIMER - PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING: ️ What to Expect on a San Blas Day Tour Transportation 2.5–3 hr ride from Panama City in shared 4x4s (6 passengers). Extra seat available at added cost. Pick-up 5:00–5:30 am — drivers can’t wait more than 10 min. Port check-in may feel informal, but the Kuna run it smoothly. 20–40 min boat ride (can be wet/bumpy). Boats may stop at other islands for guests. ️ Island Experience Rustic facilities: limited shade, basic bathrooms. Beaches often shallow — walk out further to swim. Islands can be busy in high season. Relaxed pace, no fixed schedules. ️ Food & Drinks Fresh meals (fish or chicken, rice, salad, patacones). One drink included (water, soda, or beer). Extra snacks/drinks available at port or on islands. Kuna Culture Only Kuna operate tours; most don’t speak English. Respect traditions: ask before photos, dress modestly in villages. Nature & Environment Plastic debris may wash ashore, though Kuna clean regularly. Sandflies/mosquitoes common in rainy season → bring repellent. Weather unpredictable; rain possible (no refunds). Health & Safety Limited medical care; emergencies require evacuation to Panama City at guest’s cost. Final Note This is not a luxury tour — it’s about disconnecting, experiencing Kuna culture, and enjoying pristine Caribbean islands. Bring patience, flexibility, and respect for an unforgettable adventure.
    • We recommend that you bring your personal hygiene items, such as towels, sunscreen, hats, mosquito repellent.
    • 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.
    • This activity involves entering and exiting boats on swim ladders. Depending on the tide, it may be challenging for some guests to enter and exit boats onto the boat dock, which may be significantly higher than the boat.
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

    Traveler Photos

    Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

    Reviews

    4.4
    based on 15 reviews
    Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

    Peaceful escape from the hustle bustle to beautiful nature

    Krysii_P, Dec 2025
    This was such a relaxing refreshing escape. The island's surrounding beaches were so beautiful. The group had good vibes. And lunch was delicious

    Response from Host, Dec 2025

    Thank you so much for sharing! 😊 We’re really happy to hear you found the experience relaxing and refreshing, that’s exactly what these islands are all about. Beautiful beaches, great company, and tasty food make the perfect combo. We’d love to welcome you back for another island escape anytime!

    Lovely…..but

    Christy_A, Apr 2025
    Out of respect I will leave this review short & direct. The islands were breathtaking & definitely worth the booking. The host (young lady whose name I did not get because she did not bother to introduce herself) was horrible. The lack of communication & brashness was off putting to & from the destinations as well as lunch time. please do not let this reflect on the people who served lunch or operated the boats. I realize not everyone has the capacity to work in tourism; she’s one of them.

    Response from Host, Apr 2025

    Hi Christy. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. We're so glad to hear that you found the islands breathtaking and that the destinations were worth the booking. We do want to acknowledge that many of the Kunas, particularly the women, can be more introverted or shy, and this is part of their unique cultural identity. While we understand that communication styles may feel different, especially for visitors who may not be familiar with their customs, we encourage everyone to approach the experience with an open mind and respect for their way of life. Most Kunas do not speak English fluently, which can also contribute to moments of miscommunication or perceived brashness. We are truly sorry if you felt uncomfortable during the tour, and we will take your feedback into consideration as we continue to improve our services. We deeply appreciate your understanding that the people who served lunch and operated the boats are doing their best to offer a great experience. Thank you again for your feedback, and we hope you'll consider joining us for another adventure in the future.

    rip-off

    Allysson_C, Feb 2025
    this tour was a ripoff, we did not go to the beaches mentioned which I was hoping we did. They wanted to charge us for a single picture of a hub we took. The food wasn't pleasing or good. The only person who spoke to us about their culture we had to keep him engaged because we were told to tell us about them is a separacharge and tour. First beach was very shallow , we were there for way too long with no entertainment. Natural pool was only 5mins and 2nd beach was better. The guns are very modern here and they just want to charge you money not share their culture. Avoid this tour, do a catamaran one. The only good thing about this tour was out driver, seeing tucans sns dting rays. is a rip-off and the price isn't worth it. Do Embera tour not this one.

    Response from Host, Feb 2025

    We’re sorry to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations. However, we would like to clarify that on the day of your tour, we did visit all the islands and beaches exactly as advertised. As mentioned in our tour description, we reserve the right to adjust the itinerary if ocean or weather conditions require it for the safety of our guests, but that was not the case on your tour date. This tour is designed for travelers who enjoy exploring and experiencing the islands at their own pace. It is not a fully guided, entertainment-focused tour, and this is clearly stated in the description. Most guests appreciate the opportunity to relax and take in the natural beauty, but it seems that this type of experience may not have been the right fit for you. Regarding cultural interactions, our listing specifies that in-depth cultural experiences are part of separate tours. While some locals may share insights about their culture, organized cultural presentations are not included in this particular itinerary. We always encourage guests to read the tour details carefully before booking to ensure it aligns with their expectations. We appreciate your feedback and hope you were still able to enjoy some aspects of your time in Panama.

    Pésimo y caro ! No vale la pena

    Mayra_M, Jan 2025
    Baños muy sucios sin agua , el lugar de salida terrible , las islas descuidadas abandonadas y fuimos a otras diferentes , la comida muy pobre , muy caro para lo que es , de regreso iba una persona más y ya íbamos incómodos (apretados ), el chofer bien , solo de regreso no ponía el aire acondicionado y eso empeoró el regreso

    Response from Host, Jan 2025

    Hola Mayra, lamentamos saber que nuestra pasadia no cumplió con tus expectativas. En Viator intentamos ser muy claros sobre la ubicación remota de San Blas y las instalaciones básicas. Si esperas tener baños de primera clase y comidas diferentes, este tour definitivamente no es para ti y te sugerimos reservar otro tour que se realice más cerca de la ciudad. También ofrecemos a nuestros huéspedes comprar asientos adicionales o transporte privado si necesitan más espacio. En general, nuestra pasadia es una de las mejores ofertas en Panamá con muy buenos comentarios de nuestros huéspedes. Es importante leer la descripción del producto antes de reservar y dejar atrás las altas expectativas. Entonces tendrá garantizada una experiencia inolvidable en un paraíso virgen.

    Super, mega espectacular.

    Ferdin_G, Dec 2024
    Excelente. Volveré. Nuestro conductor muy atento y estuvo pendiente en todo momento para ayudarnos. Super recomendadp

    Response from Host, Dec 2024

    ¡Muchas gracias por tu excelente reseña! Nos alegra mucho saber que tu experiencia fue positiva y que nuestro conductor te brindó un servicio atento y de calidad. Será un placer recibirte nuevamente en el futuro. ¡Gracias por recomendarnos y esperamos verte pronto en otra aventura! 🌟

    From $139.99

    per person

    up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

    Book ahead!
    On average, this is booked 20 days in advance.

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