What's Really Included in an All-Inclusive San Blas Charter?
An all-inclusive San Blas charter means almost everything you need is already covered once you step aboard: your cabin, your crew, every meal, drinks, and all the gear to snorkel, fish and paddle. What you pay separately is getting there — the transport from Panama City and the entry fee to Guna Yala.
Here's exactly what's on each side of that line, so there are no surprises.
Quick summary
Included: captain and cook, private double cabins, all meals, snorkeling and fishing gear, kayak and paddleboard on many boats
Drinks: drinking water is unlimited; soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are included in limited quantities — you're welcome to bring more
Not included: transport from Panama City, the Guna Yala entry fee, tips, travel insurance
What's included on board
An experienced captain and cook
Private double cabins
All meals — fresh, carefully prepared, often with seafood the crew catches or buys from local fishermen that day
Unlimited drinking water
Soft drinks in limited quantities
Alcoholic drinks in limited quantities — and you're welcome to bring your own extra food and drinks
Snorkeling equipment
Fishing equipment
Kayak and padleboard — availability varies by boat
The boat is your hotel, your kitchen and your base for exploring — which is exactly why "all-inclusive" here means what it says. There are also locally run restaurants and bars on some islands where you can buy food and drinks at your own expense.
What a day on board looks like
A new island every day. You sail to a different island each day, snorkel vibrant coral reefs, and meet the marine life up close.
A crew who really knows San Blas. After years of living in these islands, our crews know the archipelago and its people better than any map.
Fresh local food. Meals are made with local ingredients — including fish caught by the crew or bought from Guna fishermen.
Real cultural contact. You'll meet Guna families the crew has known and been friends with for years — not a staged visit, but a genuine welcome.
What's not included
Two things sit outside the charter price, because they're arranged separately.
Getting to the boat
We work with a trusted agency to organize your transport. Once you reserve the boat, we help you arrange it. The standard shared route from Panama City:
5:00 AM pickup from any hotel in Panama City
2.5-hour drive to the port of Cartí in a shared 6-passenger SUV — $75 per person round trip
1-hour shared water taxi to the island where your boat waits — $75 per person round trip
Total ground transport: $150 per person
You get to the boat at 10:00 AM
On your last day you leave the boat at 7:00–7:30 AM and reach Panama City by around midday
Prefer a private ride? A private 4×4 to and from the port can be arranged — the water taxi stays shared. These rates are for the whole group, round trip, and include both the private 4×4 and the shared water taxi:
Group size | Total, round trip (4×4 + water taxi) |
2 people | $580 |
3 people | $660 |
4 people | $740 |
5 people | $820 |
The Guna Yala entry fee
Guna Yala is autonomous indigenous territory, and everyone pays an entry fee on arrival, in cash:
Foreign travelers: $22
Panamanians and residents with valid ID: $7
Also not included
Tips, travel insurance, personal spending, and anything bought ashore.
What to bring
Because you can't buy much once you leave Panama City:
Cash — there are no ATMs in Guna Yala (for the entry fee, tips and crafts)
Any extra food or drinks you'd like beyond what's included
Your own snorkeling gear if you prefer it, though it's provided
A note from someone who's been aboard
"Just book it! You'll be treated so well by the lovely boat captains. Flor and Nicolas were exceptional people with such open and easy-going attitudes. They made the trip a 10/10. Every little thing is taken care of and you just enjoy. The meals are to die for. The scenery is gorgeous. You can fully relax, read, snorkel, and swim as much as you want. Such a unique place. You won't regret a trip with I Travel By Boat. It's completely worth the cost."
— Margaret Farrell, Local Guide · Google review
Ready to come aboard?
Tell us your dates and group size and we'll walk you through exactly what's included on each boat, and arrange your transport. We reply within a couple of hours.
FAQ
Is a San Blas charter really all-inclusive? On board, yes — cabin, crew, all meals, unlimited drinking water, and snorkeling, fishing and paddle gear. Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks come in limited quantities, and you're welcome to bring more. You pay separately for transport from Panama City and the Guna Yala entry fee.
What drinks are included? Drinking water is unlimited. Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are included in limited quantities, and you're welcome to bring extra food and drinks of your own.
How much is transport from Panama City? $150 per person round trip on the shared service — $75 for the shared SUV to the port of Cartí and $75 for the shared water taxi to your boat. A private 4×4 to and from the port can also be arranged (water taxi stays shared); these rates include both and run from $580 round trip for two guests up to $820 for five.
How much is the Guna Yala entry fee? $22 for foreign travellers, and $7 for Panamanians and residents with valid ID. Paid in cash on arrival.
Do I need to bring cash? Yes — there are no ATMs in Guna Yala. Bring cash for the entry fee, tips and anything you buy from Guna families.
Can I bring my own food and drinks? Absolutely. Everything you need is included, but you're welcome to bring extra.
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