FAQs

There are two ways to arrive from Panama City to San Blas:

By Air:
Air Panama runs a daily flight from “Panama City-Albrook (PAC)” to “Corazón de Jesús-Guna Yala (CZJ)”. It’s a 45 minute flight, departing at 06:00am (check in 05:00am).  On your way back to Panama City you will depart Corazón de Jesús at 06:35am. Round-trip rate: 136$

Shall this flight be booked, you can also fly from “Panama City-Albrook (PAC)” at 06:00am (check in 05:00am) to “El Porvenir-Guna Yala (PVE) 06:25am. Back to Panama City you will depart from El Porvenir at 06:35am. Round-trip rate: 136$

Flying is definitely the most comfortable and quick way to arrive to San Blas.

By 4×4 truck + boat taxi:
We can organize ground transportation for you with a 4×4 special taxi. Pick up time at 5:30am at your hotel in Panama City. It’s a two-and-a-half hours drive in a shared 7-seat truck, last section of the trip, driving through the Kuna Yala rainforest on a paved road. The car will drop you at the dock in Cartí Sugdup, where a motor boat (panga) will take you to our sailboat anchorage at Lemon Cays, in an approx. 25 minutes ride. Bring a light rain jacket to wear on the motor boat on windy days, to avoid getting wet, as well as plastic bags to protect your luggage.
You can also book a private 4×4 special taxi only for you and your family or group and set a more convenient pick up time.

Rates:

• Shared 4×4 taxi: 25$ per person one-way
• Boat taxi:  20$ per person one-way
• Private 4×4 taxi:  150$ one-way drive
• Transportation to be paid cash directly to the drivers.

Panama has a tropical weather, below the Caribbean hurricane zone, with temperatures between 28 and 33ºC (80-90ºF) all year long. Seawater temperature around 26ºC (78ºF).  A perfect place for a sailing trip! However, there are two seasons: the dry and more windy season from December to May, and the fresh tropical season from June to November, with some sudden short showers that freshen the air.

Please avoid any hard suitcases for storage reasons on board. Space is limited in the cabins and there is no place to storage hard suitcases on a sailing boat. We recommend to pack lightly in soft luggage. Most of our guests tend to pack more than they end up using. Bear in mind, that life on board is casual, so bring some shorts, summer cotton clothes, a long sleeve shirt and long pants, bathing suit and towel, cap or hat, sunglasses, a light rain jacket, sandals or reef runners and sun protection. Good news is that you will be barefoot during most of your sailing trip.

Prices include:

• Rental of the boat with crew
• Boat insurance
• Fuel, gasoline and water tanks
• Bed sheets
• Dinghy with outboard engine
• Snorkeling gear
• Fishing gear
• Meals on board based on fish, seafood, fresh local vegetables, pasta, rice and fruits
• Drinks on board in reasonable consumption (water, sodas, fruit juices, beer, wine and local rum)

Prices do not include:

• Guests’ personal insurance
• Transfers to our boat in San Blas and all expenses outside the boat
• Local taxes: 20 USD per person approx.
• Tips & gratuities

The currency in Panama is the US dollar. We recommend to bring cash, since currency exchange may be difficult in Panama City and impossible once in San Blas. As a matter of fact, there are no banks or cash dispensers (ATM’s) in the Archipelago.

We suggest to bring some small dollar bills (1$, 5$, 10$), in case you want to buy traditional handicrafts from the Kuna, they do a great job making “molas”!

There is a 20$ visitor tax for all foreigners when entering the territory of San Blas, plus 2$ dock tax for those of you taking the motor boat (panga) in Cartí Sugdup.

You need a six months valid passport. Please make sure you carry it in your handbag on your way to San Blas, since there is a check control when entering the Kuna territory.

There is no need for vaccinations in San Blas, but it’s better to check with your country health organization, since it may depend on the country you are traveling from.