A 4 night minimum stay including at least the Dutch or Coco Bandero cays is highly recommended. Shorter 2 or 3 nights stays can be an excellent experience if your catamaran and crew are up to the standards we have commented in other posts. With Panama being the most important business hub in Latin America and an important travel destination with many other locations worth visiting, such as Boquete, Bocas del Toro and interesting attractions spread throughout the whole territory, it is at times difficult for travelers to focus in only one region for more than a couple of nights. Choose only the best San Blas sailing company and catamarans Renting a catamaran in the San Blas islands for a couple of nights is a great way to broaden your horizons, but be careful, if you limit the nights and go too fast from anchorage to anchorage, from island to island, you will definitely miss the real magic of the Guna Yala region and their ancestral culture. Pay attention, sit still and you may watch a turtle popping up not far from you, a manta ray swim underneath the catamaran or a tropical bird pass in front. Be loud, rush and none of that will happen! Abundant marine life is just there and will show if you take it easy How many days should you stay in San Blas? 4 nights as mentioned above is the minimum recommended and enough time to at least see at a good pace, the most beautiful parts of San Blas, Dutch Cays and Coco Bandero Cays. Following is a list of recommendations depending on the nights you choose: * 2 night charter with road transfer - Do not attempt to come only 2 nights and use the road, you will be "stuck" in your road transfer for a minimum of 8 hours from our perspective, it is totally not worth it. You have been warned. * 2 night charter with flight transfer - Makes sense for a celebration like a birthday or completion of business goal. Also if you really do not have any extra time on your hands and absolutely need to charter a catamaran in the San Blas ? * 3 night charter with road transfer - This option includes Cayo limon and basically go through all the islands we have taken off the list of our recommended spots. Still, choose this if you need to keep your transfer costs down. * 3 night charter with flight transfer -Things here start to make a bit more sense: you will be able to see Cayo Coco Bandero along with Cambombia and other amazing spots of the archipelago and pristine Caribbean sailing destinations * 5 night charter with road transfer- Dutch Cays, the Pool and BBQ islands at your reach, the amazing San Blas opens up to you * 5 night charter with flight transfer - Fly in and you will see both Cayo Coco Bandero and Cayos Holandeses ? * 7 night charter with road transfer - Multiple islands in the cays, experiences and time to blend with the environment and culture * 7 night charter with flight transfer- Total disconnection from the busy world, an immersion in Paradise Whatever itinerary you choose for sailing the San Blas islands, we will make sure you make the most of if. Contact us now for your catamaran sailing charter in the San Blas islands, Panama.

Flying to the San Blas Islands is done through the local terminal at Albrook in Panama City. Private flights to San Blas, Panama are done with 2-8 seater planes with 40 minutes flight time. ------------------------------------ Check out our latest post: Flights from Panama City to San Blas: Ultimate Guide on CatamaranAdventures.net ------------------------------------ Flying to San Blas has never been easier. There are no regular flights and Air Panama does not fly to the archipelago but private planes can be easily booked through us. Hassle free private flight transfers to the heart of San Blas. Corazon de Jesus. Air transfers to San Blas are mainly indicated for guests reluctant of the typical 4 hour total road and water taxi transfers that depart from your hotel in Panama City and take you to our catamarans in San Blas. Road transfers to San Blas start at around 5:00 AM and location for pickup is the lobby of your hotel or residence. Road transfers are a popular way to getting to San Blas. The vast majority of travelers to San Blas, Panama choose this transfer method mainly because of the lower cost which for most cases is $75/person/way. Other expenses of road transfers are local Kuna taxes of total $20/person and port fees of $3/person/way. If you choose to fly in, and unlike the option of road transfers, there is no need for boarding a water taxi since the catamaran will be located and anchored right next to the runway at Corazon de Jesus, the island where the airport is located. After very light customs formalities and a $12/guest tax, you will be taken to the catamaran; that is a 2 minute water transfer. Choosing a road transfer from Panama City requires you boarding a water taxi which will take around 50 minutes, so take that into consideration when deciding. Flights to San Blas; useful information (PAC) Panama, PA Panama City / Albrook Int. is the code for Albrook terminal and your starting point if you choose to fly to San Blas. We can take care of all your transfers also from your location to Albrook terminal. If you would like to be transferred from Tocumen International airport to Albrook, we can also provide the necessary private road transfers. Tocumen International airport to Albrook local airport is around 30 minutes ride. Make sure you detail your needs upon making your reservation. Alternatively as an option, we can also send our private planes to Tocumen international airport to pick you up and transfer you to San Blas. This option is also available on the way back from San Blas and we can fly our planes directly to Tocumen International so that you can catch your plane back to your country or next destination. Flight time from Corazon de Jesus, San Blas islands is 40 minute, but just to be sure, please book your flights back to your country for 12:00 midday or later so that you have enough time to comfortably catch it. Flying in and out also gives you the flexibility to choose your own flight departure hours, so you may depart from Panama City to San Blas at the time you are most comfortable with. Check out time of the catamaran will be adapted accordingly and fixed to the same time your landing was. How much does it cost to fly to San Blas? Private planes total prices carrying: - 2 passengers for $650/way, maximum carrying weight of 450 lbs - up to 5 passengers for $690/way, maximum carrying of 750 lbs - up to 8 passengers flying in two separate private planes for $1600/way, maximum carrying 1500 lbs -up to 8 passengers flying in one single private plane for $1900/way, maximum carrying 1600 lbs 8,5% tax not included in the flight prices Prices shown are one way for the whole cost of the plane carrying the indicated guests Mandatory $20/guest airport tax paid to the indigenous. Make sure you visit www.catamaranadventures.net for updates and latest news on traveling to San Blas and specially transfers available. Contact us for any questions related to types of air transfers to San Blas.

Flights from Panama City to San Blas have become increasingly popular mainly due to the cuts in costs. In this guide we cover the ins and outs of flying to San Blas. Needless to say that flying to San Blas is the right option in most cases and that a yacht charter in the San Blas islands is definitely improved when choosing a flight transfer over of a road transfer. Top 5 reasons why flying to San Blas is highly advisable: 1 Flying time is 40 minutes instead of the 4 hour road/water taxi transfers 2.Depart location can be Albrook local or Tocumen international as an option 3. Fly in and you skip the road and water taxi which is not comfortable for some 4. Landing at Corazon de Jesus is a stone throw away from the Cays. Coming in by road and water taxi puts you 2 hours sail away from the tip of Dutch Cays 5. Costs of flying is down compared to previous years Where do you catch the plane for San Blas? Albrook local airport which is in Panama City or Tocumen international airport as an option which is nice because you can get to San Blas without having to change airports Where do flights land? Corazon de Jesus and el Porvenir Which of the 2 landing locations is the best? We prefer Corazon de Jesus because it is an easy reach to the Cays but we could fly to el Porvenir at times if needed How long are the flights to San Blas Corazon de Jesus or el Porvenir? 40 minutes What times do private flights to San Blas depart? Since they are private, they can take off at any time you decide. ALthough 6-8 AM flights are the standard and we prefer our guests to leave to San Blas early morning,we can always adapt to whatever time in the day. Note that the airports in San Blas do not have lights and flying in and out must be done during daylight. Is it safe to fly to San Blas? Some of our guests are generally afraid of flying in small private planes. It goes without saying that the air industry in Panama is 100% regulated and inspections are implemented as they would be back in the US or any other western country. With no flying issues on record, we can determine that flights to San Blas are totally safe. Are the flights to San Blas private or shared? Flights are private. Regular airlines such as Air Panama do not fly to San Blas, only small private planes do. How do I go from the airport in San Blas to the catamaran? The captain of the catamaran will be waiting for you next to the runway and will take you onboard using the dinghy on a short 2 minute ride. Is weight a problem when catching a private flight to San Blas? It can. you have to pack light and observe the weight limits on the plane booked How much does it cost to fly to San Blas? 2 passengers for $650/way, maximum carrying weight of 450 lbs up to 5 passengers for $690/way, maximum carrying of 750 lbs up to 8 passengers flying in two separate private planes for $1600/way, maximum carrying 1500 lbs up to 8 passengers flying in one single private plane for $1900/way, maximum carrying 1600 lbs Prices shown are one way for the whole cost of the plane carrying the indicated guests 8,5% tax not included. Mandatory $20/guest airport tax paid to the indigenous. How do you book the flight to San Blas? Simply send us your total personal and luggage weigh along with your names and passports. We will take care of the rest. San Blas Islands Yacht charters

BVI Catamaran Sailing Charters Vs San Blas Catamaran Sailing Charters There is no clear winner in this battle, it ultimately depends on what you are looking for and what you call "Paradise". The exponential increase in large cruise ships carrying vast amounts of tourists to the major sailing charter destinations in the Caribbean including the BVIs has bought the corresponding deterioration of the once peaceful and picturesque anchorages and other locations. What was once the most requested sailing locations are not only losing their charm, but also giving way to a totally different type of tourism, and one that will completely change the scene. Not that the BVIs, the USVIs are totally lost, but hey! it is just not the same as years before. Back in 2019 before the pandemic, the number of cruise ships were already noticeable. Fast forward to 2022 and in the post pandemic scenario, the numbers are well above the 500k cruise passengers/year. Unexpected boost | More than 64K in cruise passengers coming this season Let's face it: for tax collection purposes, governments of the major sailing charter destinations will always prefer to profit from major operators like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Lines and others, rather than trying to collect their taxes from a myriad of small charter operators or even worst, yacht owners licensed to charter their own catamaran or sailboat. This fact plays a major role in the transformation of the off the beaten path sailing destinations into a more "tourist-friendly" locations with all kinds of services, including popular tourist attractions... Not all in the BVIs is bad, for one, for once you have the best catamarans available in the market and a lot of them can be rented as bareboat, such thing does not occur in San Blas. Our catamarans have attached an all inclusive service including captain, cook and provisioning and the cost at a first glance is higher than renting a catamaran elsewhere. Main reason why bareboat charters are not possible: San Blas is a labyrinth of reefs and hidden navigation dangers Why is it like this and why is the price of catamaran sailing charters are more in the San Blas islands in comparison to the BVIs? San Blas and the more than the 365 islands that comprise this archipelago, not only are the most secluded part of the Caribbean, but they are also extremely hard to navigate and that should only be attempted by local captains. Food, water, decent diesel etc, is not only overpriced but 40 miles out of the away No marinas or any repair facility within easy reach. Added to this scenario there is also the peculiarities of the Guna people and their "shailas" or chiefs who do not permit any major player not connected in any way and to the local population of indigenous. Moorings, Sunsail and Dream Yacht Charter in San Blas? Conclusion: Choose a catamaran charter in the BVIs for the regular sailing experience, social exposure and similar culture and ways. Choose sailing San Blas on a catamaran for a mix of secluded anchorages, untouched nature with vibrant underwater life and an the cultural enrichment derived from interaction with the Guna Indigenous. Catamaran Adventures San Blas

Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid on a Private Yacht Charter in San Blas Being prepared for such an out of this world sailing trip is vital. Don't think San Blas is anywhere similar to the British Virgin Islands or Croatia, it's much better! We've said it before: embarking on an all-inclusive catamaran trip in the San Blas islands is a unique experience in a unique part of the world. Peculiarities of the topography with the more than 365 islands and the interesting and perfectly preserved Guna indigenous culture, make for an inviting scenario not only sailors but for all kinds of travelers, including families with children, friends and couples. Best is to be prepared. follow thee simple recommendations as possible. Avoid these 10 typical mistakes when coming to San Blas: Try to use the air transfer instead of the road. You will cut down your transfers from +4 hours to 40 minutes and your starting point will be the runway deep down in the best part of the San Blas islands Cultural shock ahead: leave your prejudices aside, there are other ways to approach life and living the "here and now" in symbiosis with the ecosystem like in Guna Yala is perfectly fine Do not rush: relax and watch the magic unfold Try not to connect from your homeland directly to San Blas and be careful with your plane ticket times in and out ot San Blas. It is advisable to book your planes in and out of Panama so that you can have a night rest in Panama City before your departure to San Blas, likewise upon return from San Blas, try to book a night in Panama City if possible. Having a decent buffer time in between transfers will give you peace of mind. Bring appropriate clothes for Tropical weather. Avoid thick fabrics. Bring along a nice cap and sunglasses, a rash guard and flip flops. Do not overpack, you will regret it Do not drink too much onboard, do not think this is Ibiza and be focused on what is in front of you You think you can use your credit card... not here. Bring some cash along to get yourself some of the amazing mola handcrafts Rent a catamaran that has all the water toys you need, air conditioning if possible and is big and stable enough to satisfy your needs. Choose only professional crew with 5 star. You do not need a "fake nice crew" you need a professional, consistent, open to suggestions crew that will go that extra mile in order to show you the best islands and experiences in San Blas but also is respectuous of your privacy and know when and how to act and what to propose. Lookout for Daniel, Paloma and Jose: our awarded crew on the Salina 48 catamaran "Mambo Diablo". Clients reviews on this crew are astonishing Book your catamaran cruise in San Blas with a specialist not only in San Blas but also in catamarans. Booking your sailing trip with a company that has no solid reputation, takes along regular charter clients as well as backpackers, does not show their conditions in their FAQ section or is not responsive enough will definitely put not only your money but also your dream plan on the verge of disaster. We´ve said it. Now you can be as prepared as one can be. Catamaran Cruise in the San Blas Islands with Catamaran Adventures San Blas.

Is it Safe to Sail in the San Blas Islands? The San Blas Islands is the safest and most unique year round cruising grounds for all kinds of travelers in the world. Unlike other parts of the Caribbean, the archipelago of Guna Yala is a hazard free region thanks to the indigenous communities and their close watch on all situations. If you have traveled or sailed the Caribbean for sure you have at least had an encounter with some of the pushy locals that often show up next to the boat demanding some sort of collaboration in one way or the other. Merchandise and tours of dubious nature at unreasonable prices are offered from their colorful boats; pricey lobster and other goods are also pushed with insistence. Cordially denying any of the offers might work at times but the reality is that most of the times it just doesn't work and if the situation is not handled correctly it quickly escalate into and uncomfortable situation. Touristic sail grounds all over the Caribbean and the rest of the world for that matter come together with that sense of uneasiness not found in parts of the world where tourism is limited and no big yacht charter agencies are found like the San Blas Islands. Throughout the years, locals indigenous have had the chance to continue developing their own approach to what a conscious and respectful with the ecosystem life should be. Having sailed the San Blas islands for years we can say that the only reason San Blas is still for the most part intact and the best Caribbean sailing destination is due to the fact that the land, the islands, cannot be sold to foreigners or any outsider not part and the indigenous community. With self determination like in the San Blas autonomous region comes the agility in any process needed to maintain order in any way and that includes security. Closed indigenous communities are excellent when it comes to dealing with any security issues. In case of any event or alert such as the approach of a local squall or culopollo-chokosana, response by not only the Guna authorities but also from all chiefs or sailahs and the whole boating community is swift. A catamaran cruise in the San Blas islands is not only completely safe but also a mind enriching experience that will stay with you for years to come.

It depends on your interests: for isolated and natural locations visit Dutch Cays and Coco Bandero. Those looking for bars, restaurants and a little action, head over to Cayo Limon or Lemon Cays. The archipelago of Guna Yala, also called the San Blas islands, lies in the East coast of Panama and it stretches all through the coast and well into Colombia. More than 365 islands with not even 50 of them inhabited make traveling in San Blas and sailing around the islands a monumental task that can only be successfully approached by experienced sailors with profound knowledge of the area and its peculiarities. The territory of San Blas is not only the islands within it but also part of the tropical jungle ashore. For years the fact that the region of San Blas has been owned and administered by the Kuna Indigenous has kept deforestation and construction away for the most part of the territory thus conserving an amazingly intact tropical ecosystem. * Our tours in San Blas offer not only the possibility to visit the islands and the cays but also the chance to venture upstream into the lush jungle. Jungle tours are run from Corazon de Jesus and Nargana islands where the airport lies; costs are $10 person or less depending on the size of your group. San Blas is safe, completely safe, and opportunities to explore the deep San Blas region should not be overlooked. Let us know upon reservation if you are interested in this 1/2 jungle tour as an addon to your sailing holidays. Our main sailing area in San Blas is the gulf and the islands within it. All inclusive yacht charters are run in the 20 Nautical miles gulf of San Blas area that is protected from the weather and any possible climatology adversities. San Blas sailing is definitely a unique experience and one that will leave you memories for life. But be aware, a catamaran experience such as a crewed catamaran holiday and specially in this remote areas can be served in many ways... For the most part we advise not to visit and stay away from the most famous islands in San Blas, like Isla Perro, Perro Chico, Robeson, Banedub, El Porvenir and Cayo Limon or Lemon Cays. Main reason to keep away from these islands it that they receive vast amounts of mostly Panamanian tourist and tend to get crowded and uncomfortable. Yes, this islands mentioned are also amazingly charming and we do visit them at times, but only during the summer days when tourism declines. The perfect Caribbean catamaran sailing charter must deliver a unique experience that is adapted to your needs, one catamaran experience with that special touch and uniqueness that stands out from the rest of other Caribbean sailing vacations. The ambitious goal of the perfect sailing vacation in San Blas is achieved by sailing away from the more frequented islands and venturing into the true and deep San Blas. Main rule is to set the starting point away from the vicinity of the road access to San Blas and the ports of San Blas. Day tourists can only reach the islands not so distant from the mainland access so as to maximise their time in the San Blas islands. There is an exception though, some very interesting islands to visit such as Aguadup and Soledad Miria must not be overlooked and they are relatively close to the road entrance. If you want a total immersion into the Kuna society and their way of living, these are your islands. Be warned: these islands and the traditional way of living are definitely not your typical tourist attraction. No snorkelling or clears waters in these islands, the proximity of the rivers and their murky waters make this sites not interesting for swimming. Our sailing grounds are basically the islands that compose the outer San Blas, including the vast number of islands and isolated anchorages in Cayo Coco Bandero, Cayos Holandeses (Dutch Cays) with BBQ island, Nargana surrounding islands like Bapurgana and Cambombia along with the great number of inhabited islands easily reached with our dingy or our paddle boards. When found, Kuna indigenous locals are appreciative of our visit and our cordiality and will open their lives and knowledge to us. Unlike other tourist beaten destinations, San Blas still preserves the untouched and calm atmosphere dreamed by many. Embark on a sailing expedition onboard our crewed all inclusive sailing charters in the Caribbean side of Panama. Chose your catamaran, set your dates and let us take care of the rest. We would love to show you the true San Blas.