San Blas Island Disclaimer | Sea San Blas

Sea San Blas offers tours to the beautiful San Blas Islands and believes that the client and the agency as a tour operator must work as a team and understand each other. We want tourists to have the best experience possible when visiting the islands, which is why we have created a guide to help you know what to expect on your trip.

We value clients who are informed and aware of the adventure they are about to embark on. We pride ourselves on our service and want to ensure that every customer has a memorable experience. Before booking a trip with us, we recommend that you read this essential information which will only take you about five minutes.

As a Guna owned and operated agency, we partner with other local families who we know will treat and care for you as if you were part of their family. We guarantee our customers the best possible experience because we care about our reputation.

It is possible that our tours are only well accepted and welcomed by some tourists and probably those people who are a little intolerant or who are looking for a 5-star service will not feel satisfied. We want to provide an authentic experience of the local culture and environment, which may not meet the expectations of some customers. Therefore, if you fall into this category, consider other travel options as the San Blas Islands may not be for you.

As a tourism agency, we believe in transparency and honesty. Our goal is to provide accurate information so you know what to expect on your trip. In any case, we recommend reading all the details carefully to avoid misunderstandings or surprises. This will give you a clear understanding of how the trip works, including car and boat transportation, and what to expect once you arrive on the islands.

Sea San Blas has been providing tours to the San Blas Islands for more than five years and we have become the leading agency in Panama in this service.

Booking a trip with us is easy and convenient. You can make your reservation directly on our website using your credit or debit card. Please note that you will only need to pay a down payment at the time of booking. The remaining balance will need to be paid on the day of your trip in cash, or if your trip allows the option to pay the remaining balance by credit card, you will be charged automatically and you will have nothing to worry about.

Once you have booked your trip, you will receive a confirmation email with important information to help ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Be sure to read your confirmation email carefully.

Please remember that while we are a Guna family, we do not own any of the islands used on our trips. Please remember this as sometimes we do not have control over some aspects of the islands.

Our family works closely with other Guna families to provide an authentic and enjoyable experience. Income received from paying for trips goes directly to our family and other local families we work with and visit during the tours. This includes all of our staff, boat crew, accommodation and food.

It is important that you have enough cash in your possession to make the most of your trip to the San Blas Islands. Also, remember, the remaining balance for most trips must be paid in cash (USD dollars). Please note that there are no ATMs available in Guna Yala, so we strongly recommend that you withdraw the necessary cash a day before your trip to avoid inconvenience.

We begin picking up tourists in Panama City every day between 5 and 5:30 am. Unfortunately, sometimes travelers are not prepared and we must wait for them, which creates a ripple effect that impacts the overall agenda for the day. Please be assured that we will do our best to contact you in one way or another. In fact, we always strive not to leave anyone behind, so we ask you, first, to be ready on time and second, patience in these types of situations.

If our drivers are unable to contact you, after several attempts, we will depart and leave you behind out of consideration for other travelers. Therefore, you need to be up and ready to go at 5am. Even so, all our drivers give a grace period of 15 minutes waiting. After that time, we will leave without you and your online deposit payment will not be refunded. For more information, please see our refund policy.

The trip from Panama City to Puerto Cartí takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. However, you must take into account other factors such as picking up other guests, waiting time at the police checkpoint, queuing time at the entrance to Guna territory, as well as traffic or delays due to weather conditions.

We always make a stop at a convenient store, approximately halfway to the San Blas Islands. There you can buy some snacks or sandwiches or go to the bathroom if you need to. Then we will resume the journey already within the Guna territory. The road is somewhat irregular with many hills and curves.

WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU PLEASE BRING MOTION SICKNESS MEDICINE IF YOU GET DIZZY EASILY.

Below is a preview of what you can expect. Note that the video is from Early 2023. As of January 2024, construction is almost finished, and the road is in much better condition, making the overall experience smoother.

Remember that space in the SUVs and boats is limited, so we encourage tourists to bring only what is necessary. Large suitcases, beach chairs, big coolers and other bulky items are prohibited. It is best to leave them at your hotel/apartment in Panama City.

On the other hand, it is very important to keep in mind that the transportation service to the San Blas Islands is regulated by the Guna General Congress, therefore, not every vehicle or private vehicles have access to the Guna territory, and those that can do so must be previously approved.

Given the road conditions already within the Guna territory (there are curves and precipices and sometimes the pavement has been lost), these vehicles are 4x4 SUVs equipped for these arduous tasks, with capacity for 6 people plus the driver. Please remember that this is adventure tourism!

The price of your tour includes round-trip transportation, so you do not have to pay any additional costs. Seats are assigned randomly when tourists are picked up. It is important to note that if your group is less than six people, it is very likely that we will make other stops to pick up more travelers as all transportation is shared and not private.

If for any reason you would like to be dropped off at a different location than the pickup location, we will do our best to accommodate you, but it is not guaranteed. However, in the past and when it has been possible we have left some tourists at the Albrook Bus Terminal or at the Tocumen International Airport.

Finally, if any tourist requires special accommodation when traveling, let us know by writing to our email support@seasanblas.com and we will do everything possible to find an appropriate solution.

Upon arrival at the port, some members of our Guna family will be waiting for you and your trip will continue with them to the San Blas Islands. From then on, they will be responsible for boat trips, accommodations, food preparation and island tours.

Please make sure you are physically well enough to board the boats from the beach. We do not recommend this trip for people who require assistance walking.

It is normal if you get splashed with water during boat rides. Remember that you are in the San Blas Islands and this is the only means of transportation. That is why we recommend you dress appropriately for the occasion, always keeping your personal items such as your passport, phone or computer protected.

Another thing is the fact that trips to the San Blas Islands do not constitute "guided tours", that is to say, there will not be a guide offering explanations about what to do or where to go. Remember that each island is owned by a different Guna family and they, as expected, mostly do not speak English. Furthermore, these trips are essentially to enjoy the beautiful beaches, the incredible natural pools of warm waters and a dream environment. That doesn't require much explanation, right?

When traveling to Guna Yala or the San Blas Islands, it is essential to take into consideration that most of the accommodation and restroom facilities in the region are considered basic, and some may even be rustic. As such, it is recommended that visitors take the time to educate themselves about the facilities on the islands so that there are no unpleasant surprises, or the surroundings not meeting their expectations.

In this sense, it should be noted that shared accommodation does not have a private bathroom.

Additionally, it is very important to keep in mind that none of the Guna Yala islands offer air conditioning, although some may provide fans and power through solar sources or generators. Likewise, the quality of mattresses and pillows on most islands is also usually considered okay and not excellent, like in a resort or hotel.

Visitors to the San Blas Islands are invited to explore its extraordinary beaches and natural beauty. But it is essential to take into account that the region's infrastructure is still developing and may in some cases be only partially satisfactory.

That is to say, most of the accommodations on the islands are rustic and the meals are simple, but prepared with love and care. In general, the Guna schedule is approximate and not precise. For these reasons, those who demand a high degree of luxury or requirements may find this tour not appropriate for their tastes. Now, for those eager to experience the beauty of the Caribbean in a unique and authentic way, we invite you to book with us. The charms of the San Blas Islands are within everyone's reach and need no introduction.

All our tours include meals and a drink of your choice (water or soda). However, we encourage travelers to bring additional water, especially for those who will be staying more than one day on the islands. You can also bring the drink or alcohol of your choice. And although all meals are included, it's always a good idea to have some snacks and drinks on hand. By the way, some drinks and snacks can be purchased on the islands, and this would be a good way to incentivize the Guna economy, though the selection is limited and varies by location.

We recently introduced a vegetarian option as a way to please many tourists who constantly ask us about it, but unfortunately it is not available on all our tours. Please consult our different travel options for more details. For those travelers who prefer vegetarian or gluten-free meals, we recommend bringing your own snacks, since the food options on most islands are very basic. In any case, and subject to availability, you can always request an extra, a portion of fruits or vegetables of the day.

Guna Yala is a semi-autonomous indigenous region. There, the General Guna Congress is the one that exercises local government, and not the government of Panama. This means that its residents and tourism agencies or any type of agency that operate within its territory have to be approved by the authority of the Guna Congress, as it is the case of Sea San Blas.

Therefore, as guides and an agency operating in the Guna Yala Territory, we are required by law to work within a network of legitimately Guna contractors, approved to offer accommodation and other services on the islands. As we have already said, this also applies to the transportation services offered to the islands. Consequently, non-Guna staff members and services that are not formally regulated by the Guna Congress are prohibited on the islands, as are foreign assets for commercial purposes.

Also, please note that the use of drones is prohibited in the San Blas Islands. Violators may face fines and confiscation of their electronic devices. Therefore, be informed that Sea San Blas has no authority over the decisions made by the Guna General Congress, in relation to violations of its laws.

San Blas experiences its high season from December to April, and during that time a large amount of visitors flows to the islands. For this reason, it is common at this time to find many people at the port, both Panamanian and foreign visitors.

The most active periods include Christmas and New Year, Carnivals, Easter and Panamanian holidays in November (first and last week). Due to this, it is advisable to plan your visit taking these dates into account in order to avoid crowds and fully enjoy the beauty of San Blas.

Naturally, during these dates you can still come and enjoy the beauty of the San Blas Islands since it is summer season here in Panama and it is the best time to visit the islands. Generally, we always recommend staying overnight if you have the opportunity to do so, as you will enjoy a lot more compared to a day trip.

If you are considering booking for any of the months mentioned above and have questions, please feel free to ask our family.

In order to enter Guna Yala, you must bring your original passport with you and demostrate your entry stamp that was received when you entered Panama. Copies of your passport are not allowed. We recommend you bring a small backpack with you to keep all your belongs dry and safe.

For Panamanians or residents, an original ID or residency card is required.

The fees to be paid to enter the Guna Yala are:

Panamanian citizens and foreign residents: $7

Tourists: $ 22

Children under the age of 9 do not have to pay the Entrance Tax.

This tax is paid directly to the government on the way to the San Blas Islands. Sea San Blas will never collect this payment online or in person. Our drivers will notify you once we arrive at the checkpoint so you can take out your passport and pay.

It is known to everyone that Panama is a country where it rains frequently and sometimes several times a day. The San Blas Islands, as an archipelago belonging to this beautiful Central American country, are not exempt from these climatic fluctuations.

That is why Panamanians have learned to live with the climate and not pay too much attention to weather forecasts. In fact, the weather in Guna Yala is something that most websites cannot accurately forecast.

Either way, most days the forecast will be cloudy with a chance of rain; Sometimes it is sunny or it rains for a short period of time and then the sun comes out again, or it simply rains in one part of the city and/or the islands and not in the others.

It is possible that at some point it will rain heavily for a short time, and then the sun will come out as if nothing had happened. In short, it is important to keep in mind that our trips will normally proceed as scheduled in case of rain, unless it is a storm or something like that.

In that case, that is to say, if weather conditions are very unfavorable, or if national or regional authorities prohibit departure, we will reschedule or cancel the trips and refund the initial payment made.

In the high season, during the months of December to April, the winds can sometimes be strong and on some days the sea even wakes up rough. At Sea San Blas the safety of our tourists is our main priority. For that reason, we are committed to following all safety laws. Therefore, please note that we may delay or cancel trips to the islands for safety reasons.

Likewise, it is important that you know that we will not offer refunds or discounts due to rain or bad weather. However, if we cancel a trip for safety reasons, please be assured that we will refund any payment or deposit already made.

It is also important to take into consideration that there is always a tiny morning rain when we cross the mountains that border the territory of Guna Yala, because the area is a natural tropical rainforest with rain in the mornings.

Each person or tourist is responsible for their belongings. Consequently, Sea San Blas does not assume any responsibility for the loss, forgetfulness or deterioration of any item. Therefore, the client is solely responsible for safely storing all belongings during their trip.

In case of loss or forgetfulness of any object, either during the trip or in a cabin, we will do everything possible to locate it and return it to its rightful owner in Panama City. The affected person must contact us as soon as possible to inform us about the lost or misplaced item.

An Exciting Adventure Awaits -

Book Now & Experience The Sea San Blas Islands

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