San Blas Islands island hopping mola class with Guna grandmothers

Make a mola with a Guna grandmother, then paddle and snorkel across four islands

A full-day class and island tour in San Blas Islands where you learn mola-making directly from Guna artisans in their community, then visit Pelican Island, Ina Island and a natural swimming pool with snorkeling gear and lunch. The day runs seven hours from Tupile port, with an English-speaking guide, paddleboards to share, and fresh fish prepared by locals.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore San Blas Islands and Beaches

• Start at Tupile port at 8:30am
• Meet English local guide and hear itinerary
• Boat to Waily Lodge for morning fruit snack
• Kayak or paddleboard around Waily Lodge island
• Relax with provided towels, chairs, umbrellas
• Lunch of fresh fish with rice and salad
• Boat to sunken boat at Perro Chico island
• Visit natural swimming pool to spot starfish
• Visit Pelicano Island from Money Heist series

The experience

The morning starts at 8:30am at Tupile port with a boat ride to Waily Lodge, where a Guna grandmother teaches you how to make a traditional mola. The hand-stitched textile panels that are central to Guna culture. You work alongside her to create your own, learning the technique directly rather than watching a demonstration. After that hands-on time, you explore the island by kayak or paddleboard, or settle into a beach chair with a towel and umbrella while the group moves around you. Lunch is fresh fish with rice and salad, cooked by locals on the island.

The afternoon is four island stops. First, you spend about 40 minutes at a sunken boat near Perro Chico Island, where you can snorkel if the water calls to you. Then comes the natural swimming pool: a sandbar in the middle of the Caribbean where starfish gather in the shallows. Last is Pelican Island, the filming location for Money Heist, where the water is clear enough to see down and the snorkeling gear is there if you want it. A drink, fruit, and snorkeling equipment are included throughout. Towels and beach chairs are available on request.

The boat has sun protection for the full seven hours, and your guide speaks English and Spanish. This is not a rushed itinerary. You spend real time at each stop rather than checking boxes. The paddleboards are shared among the group, so if you want one, you take a turn. If you prefer to stay on the beach or in the water without one, that works too.

What’s included

• Mola-making class with a Guna grandmother in the community.
• boat with sun protection and English-speaking guide.
• visits to four islands (Waily Lodge, Perro Chico, natural swimming pool, and Pelican Island).
• snorkeling gear.
• paddleboards to share.
• fresh fish lunch with rice and salad, plus fresh fruit.
• one drink (water, beer, or soda).
• beach towels, chairs, and umbrellas on request.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:20

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Child (5 to 7 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Meeting point in port Dibin Tupile, right after the Carti NIga Kantule port.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 22

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Panama San Blas Tours

Is this one for you?Seven hours is a full morning and afternoon, which rules out other activities that day but leaves your evening free. If you want to combine a cultural class with island time in one outing rather than splitting them into separate bookings, this day does both without rushing either one.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 7 years); Infant (under 5): free.

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 24h before the start.

What exactly do I learn to make in the mola class?

A traditional mola: the layered textile that Guna women wear as part of their everyday dress. You work with a Guna grandmother in her community to hand-stitch your own, learning the technique she uses. It's a finished piece you take home, not a sample or a demonstration.

Can I snorkel at all four islands, or only some of them?

Snorkeling gear is available throughout the day, and you can use it wherever the water appeals to you. The natural swimming pool and Pelican Island are the main snorkeling stops, though you're free to get in the water at Waily Lodge and Perro Chico as well.

How much time do I actually spend on the water versus on the islands?

You're on the boat for the transfers between islands, but the day is built around stopping at each place long enough to do something. Make a mola, paddle, snorkel, or just sit on the beach. Waily Lodge gets the most time in the morning. The afternoon is split among three shorter stops.

What's included in the meal, and are there options if I don't eat fish?

Lunch is fresh fish with rice and salad, prepared by locals. Fresh fruit is also included, along with water, beer, or soda. Dietary restrictions are not mentioned in the operator's details, so confirm any needs when you book.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear, or is it provided?

Snorkeling gear is provided and available upon request. Beach towels, chairs, and umbrellas are also available, though they're subject to availability. Bring a towel if you want to be certain.

Is this tour accessible if I have mobility concerns or back problems?

The operator notes this tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. The boat ride, island transfers, and water activities involve movement and physical exertion over seven hours, so discuss any concerns with the operator before booking.