Be prepared for you next catamaran vacations and observe the following recommendations. We’re the locals, we know what we are talking about. 1. Know what you are getting into: San Blas is definitely a special place that is mostly yet to be discovered, even by experienced travelers and sailors. This is not your typical catamaran charter destination. The labyrinthic sailing grounds with the hundreds of tiny islands, a strong and peculiar local indigenous culture and the tropical weather are a few of the unique factors that set aside this destination from other known and more developed charter destinations in the world. No big bars playing loud music, no social scene, no bling and no tourist "attractions". San Blas is only unspoiled nature, crystal clear waters, mild winds and a welcoming,relaxed and totally safe atmosphere. 2. Be very specific with your requests and charter personalization. Even though at a first glance, all islands might look similar, the truth quite the opposite and this region offers a vast amount of possibilities depending on your interests. Sports enthusiasts, travel buffs, nature lovers, family vacationers, event organizers all fit and are welcomed in San Blas, but again, the more precise you are with the info you send us, the better. 3. Predisposition is key: stay open to the experiences presented to you and do not judge. The right mood and approach will catapult you to a realm where all is in an unique and magical order and where everything works one way or the.other. "Ahorita ahorita" literally means "little now", our times are no longer valid in San Blas. Do not attempt to import our culture here, it does not work. The sooner you give up and let your guard down, the better. 4. Respect the Guna culture and local ways and traditions; the only reason San Blas still exists and the level of preservation is because of the Gunas and their eagerness to protect their ancestral land. Other islands in the Pacific side of Panama have not been that lucky and numerous hotels have been established thus contributing to the destruction of what once was and absolute paradise. The Caribbean islands of the San Blas cannot be sold to foreigners which keeps away any sort of development that would damage the ecosystem. Do not raise your voice, stand back, listen and watch the magic unfold. 5. Transfers in and out are key to a successful Catamaran Cruise in San Blas: During this past years and thanks to a slight improvement of infrastructure and the reconditioning of the airstrip, things are much easier and little by little accessing the region is starting to be less of a struggle especially if you fly in on a 40 minute private flight from Albrook local in Panama City. We provide all transfers in and out of San Blas. 6. Food is basic yet delicious and is mostly composed of sea delicacies brought in by the Guna indigenous. Fresh lobster and other crustaceans and local fish of various types are the highlights of our menu. Make sure you notify us of your food preferences and allergies with your reservation. We love to adapt and consider that cuisine is a extremely important factor. Food for picky eaters is programmed if required. 7. Bring a cap, a hat, rashguard and sun lotion. Catamarans have plenty of shaded area, but for guests not used to an intense sun, being prepared is a factor to take into consideration. No shops where to buy any of this in San Blas. You must bring all that in yourself. 8. Local currency is the USD, and there is no need to bring in large amounts of money since there is nowhere to spend it apart from traditional handcrafts sold by locals or the occasional beer ashore in one of the huts managed by the island owners. Dutch cays and specially BBQ island along with the Pool offer this possibility. Tipping etiquette for the catamaran crew is 15-20% if you consider they went that extra mile. Payment of that amount can also be done directly through us via wire or credit card. 9. No mosquitos at the catamaran but ashore is a different story and there might be some if you wonder deep into some islands and walk around shaded areas. Do bring some mosquito repellent, not too much, do not exaggerate, there is no need. 10. Heat throughout the year means that booking a catamaran with air conditioning is recommended. . Weather in winter is fine but air conditioning is definitely worth it if any in your group is sensitive to heat or humidity.

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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.

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