San Blas Islands Tour: Island Hopping & Guna Culture

Swim, snorkel and kayak across three islands, then sleep on one of them

A 2-day island-hopping tour from Panama City takes you to 2-3 islands in the San Blas archipelago, with a night in a private cabin on Isla Pelicano. You snorkel, kayak and paddleboard in the morning, visit a Guna community after lunch, swim in a natural ocean pool, and return to Panama City by 7pm on day two. Shared round-trip transport from the city, meals, snorkeling gear and life vests are included. You'll need cash for the Guna Yala tax ($22 per foreigner) and any extras.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival - San Blas Islands

• Arrive at Isla Pelicano
• Snorkel, kayak, or paddleboard
• Have lunch on the island
• Visit local Guna community
• Explore 2-3 nearby islands
• Swim in natural ocean pool
• Return to Isla Pelicano
• Dinner and relax

Day 2: Departure - San Blas Islands

• Enjoy sunrise on Isla Pelicano
• Have breakfast
• Depart to port around 3PM
• Travel back to Panama City
• Arrive in Panama City around 7PM

The experience

You leave Panama City in the morning and arrive at Isla Pelicano by midday, where the first afternoon is yours to snorkel, kayak or paddleboard. The water is shallow and clear enough that you can see the reef without diving deep. After lunch on the island, the guide takes you to visit a local Guna community (the indigenous people who live and govern the San Blas Islands), and then stops at 2-3 nearby islands for more swimming and a dip in a natural ocean pool before returning to Pelicano for dinner and the night.

You sleep in a private cabin with a shared public bathroom. Breakfast comes at sunrise, and you have time to watch it from the beach before the boat departs around 3pm for the return journey to Panama City, arriving around 7pm depending on traffic. The whole trip is built around water: snorkeling equipment, kayaks and paddleboards are provided, and life vests are mandatory and available in adult and child sizes.

This is a shared tour, so you'll travel with other visitors. The pace mixes activity (water sports in the morning, the community visit and island stops in the afternoon) with downtime on Pelicano. Bring cash for the Guna Yala tax and anything you want to drink beyond what's served. There are no ATMs on the islands, and you'll want sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses for the sun on the water.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment, kayaks and paddleboards.
• life vests in adult and child sizes.
• dinner on day one and breakfast on day two.
• lunch on day one.
• visit to a Guna community.
• shared round-trip transport from Panama City.
• one night in a private cabin with shared bathroom on Isla Pelicano.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:00

AgesAdult (11 to 80 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 18

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sea San Blas | San Blas Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're joining a group on a set schedule with shared cabin accommodations. Choose a different tour if you need a private boat or flexible timing.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years); Infant (under 5).

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 islands do we actually visit on this 2-day tour?

You spend the night on Isla Pelicano and visit 2-3 nearby islands during the day: the exact islands depend on conditions and what the guide chooses, but the itinerary always includes a stop at a Guna community and a swim in a natural ocean pool.

Is snorkeling equipment included, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkeling gear is provided as part of the tour, along with kayaks and paddleboards for the water activities in the morning.

What meals are included in the 2 days?

Dinner on day one and breakfast on day two are included. Lunch on day one is also served on the island, but any additional drinks or meals beyond these are not included.

How do we get from Panama City to the islands and back?

Shared round-trip transportation from Panama City is included. You depart in the morning and return to the city around 7pm on day two, though arrival time depends on traffic.

Do I need to pay anything extra before or during the tour?

Yes, the Guna Yala tax is $22 per foreigner and $7 per resident, payable separately. You'll also need cash on hand for any drinks or items you want to buy beyond what's included, since there are no ATMs on the islands.