2-Day Camping in San Blas Islands from Panama City

A beachfront tent stay with meals included, plus snorkeling at a sunken boat and starfish spotting

This 2-day camping tour from Panama City takes you by shared transport and boat to Misdub Island in the San Blas, where you sleep in a tipi tent steps from the ocean. The package includes all meals, snorkel gear and paddleboards. On day two, a guided boat tour visits Perro Chico's submerged wreck and a natural pool where starfish gather. Return transport arrives back in Panama City around 7pm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel and camp on Misdub Island

• Pickup from hotel at 5:20 am
• Drive 3 hours to San Blas port
• Take shared boat to Misdub Island
• Settle in tent by the ocean
• Use paddleboard and snorkel gear
• Enjoy lunch and dinner at restaurant
• Relax in romantic campsite lighting

Day 2: Island tour and return to Panama City

• Have breakfast around 9-10 am
• Boat tour to Perro Chico Island
• Snorkel at sunken boat site
• Visit natural swimming pool and spot starfishes
• Return to port around 3 pm
• Travel back to Panama City hotel by 7 pm

The experience

Your driver picks you up at 5:20am from your hotel or Airbnb for a 3-hour drive across the San Blas hills to the port, then a shared boat carries you to Misdub Island. The island holds only a restaurant, bathroom facilities and your private camping area: no crowds, no other guests camped nearby. You settle into a tipi tent with an inflatable mattress, sheets and pillows, positioned right at the water's edge. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. During the day it fills with people, but at night the island empties and you have the privacy the place is built for. Soft lighting around the campsite creates the atmosphere the trip promises.

On day two, after breakfast around 9 or 10am, a boat takes you on a guided tour to Perro Chico, where you snorkel around a sunken boat, then to a natural swimming pool where you can spot starfish. You're free to take this tour on day one instead if you prefer. Snorkel gear and paddleboards are yours to use throughout your stay for exploring on your own. Around 3pm the boat returns to the port, and shared transport brings you back to Panama City, arriving around 7pm.

What’s included

• Shared ground transport from Panama City and shared boat to Misdub Island.
• tipi tent camping accommodation with inflatable mattress, sheets and pillows.
• lunch and dinner on day one, breakfast and lunch on day two.
• snorkel gear and paddleboards.
• guided boat tour to Perro Chico and the natural swimming pool on day two (or day one by arrangement).
• return transport to Panama City.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:20

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (9 to 80 years) · Under 9: can't be booked

GroupUp to 2

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 11 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 22

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Panama San Blas Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so you can follow the commentary in whichever language works for you. The 3-hour drive and boat journey mean this suits travelers comfortable with early mornings and travel time to reach the islands.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's included in the meals over the two days?

Lunch and dinner on day one, then breakfast and lunch on day two are provided at the island restaurant. The restaurant serves all three meals daily, so you can order additional meals if you want dinner on the second evening before departure.

Can I choose which day to do the boat tour to Perro Chico and the natural pool?

Yes. The tour to Perro Chico and the natural swimming pool typically happens on day two after breakfast, but you can arrange to take it on day one instead if that suits your schedule better.

How does the snorkel gear work? Is it provided or do I bring my own?

Snorkel gear is included and shared among guests staying on the island. Paddleboards are also available to use during your stay for exploring the island's surroundings.

What time does the boat leave Panama City, and how long is the journey?

Hotel pickup happens at 5:20am, followed by a 3-hour drive across the San Blas hills to the port. From there, a shared boat takes you to Misdub Island. On day two, the return boat departs around 3pm, with arrival back in Panama City around 7pm.