Adventure travel in San Blas, tours and 2021 packages! Getting to the San Blas Islands is a journey in itself. It’s essential to have 4×4 transportation, as the winding roads leading to the archipelago are full of intensely steep mountains and valleys. It takes approximately 2.5 hours from Panamá City to arrive at the port, where a water taxi awaits, lasting around 30 minutes, depending on your island destination. When it’s time to end your journey through the San Blas Islands, you’ll likely leave just in time to catch an ethereal sunset along the jungle road.
The San Blas Islands are magical. With their pristine white sands and clear blue seas many people compare them to the Fiji Islands. I’ve met lots of very experienced travellers, who’ve been all around the world, who say that this multi-day adventure is one of their best travelling highlights. With 390 unique Islands you could visit an island each day of the year and you’ll still have some left over! Most of them are so small that you even have trouble finding them on Google Maps. What’s better is that travelling to this unspoiled natural wonder is actually very affordable. In this article I’d like to tell you the most important things you need to know to experience this amazing place as well!
Your San Blas adventure starts early in the morning. A friendly driver will meet you at your Panama City lodging between 5:15am and 5:45am and safely transport you and up to five other guests to the Port of Carti. Relax and start enjoying during the 2.5-3 hour journey through the spectacular jungle highlands. Oftentimes we encounter wildlife, such as monkeys and sloths on the road and will gladly stop the car to give you opportunities to admire these beautiful animals and to take photos. Our drivers will also stop at a grocery store in case you want to purchase any items, such as snacks, water or fruit. When arriving at the port your “lancha” boat and San Blas trip tour guide will be waiting for you, ready to commence the San Blas tour. The 30-minute boat ride to the first island may be a little bumpy and, depending on ocean conditions, there may be some ocean spray. All of our boats have ample space and feature sun protection that will make this journey more comfortable. Find additional info at San Blas Day Tours.
The mountain town of Boquete has a wonderful climate, where you can escape the sometimes oppressive heat of the coast and lower areas. The town is relaxed and safe, catering to expats and people escaping the winters in northern climates, and local Panamanians looking for a weekend getaway. Some of the appeal here is the variety of good restaurants, as well as a mix of quality hotels and luxury inns. It’s also one of Panama’s most important coffee-growing areas, and known as a hot spot for nature and wildlife, particularly hiking and birdwatching. Having a vehicle here is quite handy for touring the surrounding mountains and reaching trailheads and nearby sites, but you can also arrange tours with transportation to the coffee plantations. One of the best short drives in Panama leaves from the outskirts of Boquete. This scenic loop of about 15 miles passes the main hiking trails, a beautiful river, an abandoned castle, and waterfalls. The road also provides amazing views down the valley and up the slopes of Volcan Baru.
Few locations include The Contaduria Fort, Historical place where battles were fought to protect the harbor. Find traces of guns and the Temple of the Virgin of the Rosary, and enjoy a privileged view.
San Blas adventure travel tours are a fabulous thing to do right now. So how long should you stay? I stayed on the San Blas Islands for two nights and felt it was sufficient – it’s a beautiful place but it is roughing it a bit and I felt ready to leave the morning we headed out. I’m going to share some essential things I think you’ll want to know before you visit San Blas like budgeting, where to stay, if you should take a day tour, if you can bring your luggage, and what about food and electricity – and is it really just sleeping in the sand!? These were questions I had and I’m going to answer them all for you.
In case you didn’t know, San Blas is basically it’s own little country, run by the indigenous Kuna Indians. They have their own customs and laws and in many cases Panamanian law doesn’t apply in Kuna Yala, as San Blas is also known. As a native people they have fought hard to maintain their dignity and culture and must be one of the most successful indigenous groups in the world for having done so. Tourism is allowed in San Blas only at their discretion and at times they maintain strict controls over it. It’s very difficult for a non Kuna to live within the boundaries of San Blas and practically impossible for a Kuna and non Kuna to marry and remain in San Blas. It’s also forbidden for outsiders to operate businesses within Kuna Yala. See more details on www.taotravel365.com.