Tips to prepare for your trip!
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If you’re paying the boat balance in cash, make sure you withdraw the money before flying to Panama, as ATMs in Panama only dispense $250 per day.There are no ATMs in San Blas, you'll only find them in Panama City.
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Guna fees: $22 per person
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Car to the dock: $70 round trip per person
Water taxi: $70 round trip per person -
Beers, souvenirs, islands fees: $150 should suffice
*withdraw enough for this plus tip for crew (5 to 10% charter total)
Guna fees and Transportation
Pickup
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Pickup is at 5 a.m to be on the boat by 10 a.m. On the last day you leave the boat at 7:30 a.m to be in the city by 1 p.m.
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You'll stop at a gas station on the way where you can pick up drinks and snacks, but if you want fine wine, cheese, etc., ask the driver to stop at a real grocery store like El Rey before leaving the city limits.
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You'll literally live in your swimsuit! Bring 2 bathing
suits to always have a dry one. -
You'll only need shoes for the trip in and out
so a good pair of sandals works perfectly. -
A couple of sundresses, shorts, tee shirts - long sleeve and windbreaker for the evening should be all you need.
A sarong is great as a beach towel as it dries fast and is
easy to shake off the sand and salt. -
Sun protection gear is a must so a long sleeve rash guard for snorkeling, hat, sunglasses and coral safe sunscreen.
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Duffle type bags are best for storing on board. Hard tops are not easy to accommodate in the cabin. You can leave large luggage at most hotels even if you're not staying there upon return from the trip.
Pack light!
Electronics and internet
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Please have your electronics fully charged as the boat runs on solar panels. Any charging on board will get done during the day while the sun's out.
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Best to enable your international plan for internet on board. But if you want a local sim card, Mas Movil or Tigo have the best service, although it can be spotty anyway.
Best to reconnect with nature instead :)
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The ride to the dock can be a bit rough because of the undulate road and strong wind. The car is shared with others and takes 2.5 hours to get to the dock.
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You might wait around for the water taxi to fill up and take you to the boat. You'll be in open water for about 45 minutes to an hour. You may or may not stop at islands or other boats before you. Make sure you wear clothes you're comfortable getting wet in, and either cover your bags with something or bring waterproof luggage.
*The overall journey takes about 4/5 hours
Getting to the boat
Why travel with us?
We belong to a sailing community that, by nature of our trade, stands for taking control of your life, living the way you want to, valuing experience over materials goods.
This isn't your traditional yacht charter environment. Our boats and captains come from all walks of life and will certainly offer an insight into a different kind of living. Here, sailors welcome you into their homes for you to have a relaxing, yet regenerative experience.
We invite you to travel by boat for a few days, not only to see the wonders of this beautiful land, but to have one of those precious (and far in between) moments in life during which you actually feel ALIVE!
Let's do our part in keeping this paradise healthy by engaging in sustainable behavior together. Learn more about our sustainability pledge here!
FAQs
Can I start the tour any day of the week?
Yes! We have a lot of boats available, so you can start a tour any day you want.
Are tours private or shared?
It's up to you! You can book a cabin or the whole ship to yourself.
How do I get to the boat?
By car: You take a 6 passenger SUV for 2.5 hours from Panama City to the port of Carti. There, you take a 45 min to 1 hour water taxi to the island where your boat is anchored.
By plane: check with us for flight alternatives that may be available your trip dates.
At what time do I get picked up in the morning to get to the boat?
At 5am to be at the dock at 8:30am and on the boat by 10:30am, depending on number of people getting dropped off at different islands/boats.
At what time do I leave the boat?
If leaving in the morning at 8:00 am; if in the afternoon, at 3:30 pm.
Is it true that yacht charter isn't allowed in San Blas?
While yacht charter is not allowed according to Guna law, in practice it is widely accepted... for now. Can this change at any time? Absolutely. The Guna have sovereign rule over their territory so if they decide to disallow yacht charter, they can do so at any time. If you want to visit San Blas by boat, now is the time!
Seasons/Weather
Panama is a year-round destination for adventure travelers. Temperatures are the same all year (avg. 27°C/82°F) and hurricanes & tornados do not reach this area.
Dec-April: dry & windy (summer)
May-Nov: rainy & calm seas (winter)
During the dry season there's plenty of wind to sail around. If the sailing part is your priority we encourage to visit us then. The wet season has advantage of having really calm waters; it's when snorkeling and swimming are best enjoyed.
Weather varies a lot so it will still rain a little in the summer and you'll have plenty of sunny days in the winter.