There are a number of sailing charter agencies that operate in the San Blas islands, but few meet the necessary standards for running quality private catamaran and sailboat charters and not fall into the backpacker standards. Here’s a list of things to look for when deciding who to trust in San Blas. A quick search on Google will display numerous possibilities for your next San Blas sailing charter. Deciding on one of them and putting the 1st payment down, purchasing your plane tickets, making hotel and transfer bookings and setting your mind for the ultimate Caribbean sailing experience is definitely a great effort and one that can be totally put to waste if you do not choose wisely your intermediary for such an exotic and special vacation. Here is a list of things to look for when choosing the best San Blas Sailing Company and boat charter agency. 1. Dual purpose: some agencies focus in both giving service to backpackers and regular sailing charter guests such as families, group of friends etc. Needless to say that quality standards are not the same for the two types of guests. Food, cleaning, security, type of experience are a few of the totally different aspects that differentiate a backpacker travel agency and a sailing charter company. How to find out? simply review their website, their logo and web structure, pay close attention at the activities offered, presentation of food, state of the catamaran etc. 2. Not their own boats and no alternative if your catamaran encounters a technical problem. This is not what you need, absolutely not. If one of our catamarans is down, another option is offered. You are most likely to get a free upgrade, we will try our best to provide you with a higher category catamaran at no extra cost. 3. No preset itineraries means that the captain will decide by him/herself where to go and what to do. Having the possibility of going for a preset itinerary takes much of the worry off and sets the scene for an ordered vacation. Note that itineraries will be modified by the captain depending on your special interests and if the weather does not permit such a pre organised sailing route. 4. Not visible on TripAdvisor or what is worst, displaying their "own client" reviews on their websites with no audit on them. Being public hurts at times, but a reputable sailing charter company must be on Trip Advisor. End of the story. 5. No covid and other cancellation policies clearly stated in their Faqs with no link from their homepage. Clearly these times we live in need serious and clearly detailed cancellation policies, specially due to Covid reasons. You are putting your energy into this. 6. Not 100% dedicated to San Blas and offering sailing charters in other Caribbean sailing areas or continents. A consistent charter agency in San Blas must be 100% dedicated to the San Blas islands. Being focused and offering the right information to guests is crucial and takes a lot of time and effort to put together. 7. Not fluent in english and sloppy/not agile communication can derive in important confusions that can put to risk your experience in Kuna Yala. Language and other communication barriers can test your patience and alter the normal course of your sailing vacations just when you least expect it. 8. Not showing the "not-so-spectacular" side of sailing in some of the most famous areas and islands and not being frank on some of the "not-so-comfortable" of what sailing in San Blas is. Like all, this archipelago has some places you can directly skip. 9. With professionals onboard you can rest assure the captain and crew will know what to do at all times. Amateurs or what is worst, newcomers to the area and with no ties to the indigenous community are not what you need. Not employing a Kuna guide or not mixing with the locals means missing out on the most important of what San Blas has to offer. 10. No offense to backpackers and backpacker agencies, they are an amazing community that must be respected and understood like any other. We love them and they have for ever been a crucial part of the traveling community. Cheers to them!

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How to Visit the Pool in the San Blas Islands? Due to the distance that separates it from mainland and the landing strip, reaching the famous Pool in the outer Cays of San Blas and what can be considered Paradise within Paradise, is only recommended for 5 or more nights yacht charters. The Pool, which lies in Eastern Dutch Cays or Cayos Holandeses and South of Turtle island, is the furthest island from mainland and due to this has the clearest water visibility throughout the year. With no rivers close by and unperturbed crystal clear waters, the Pool remains best snorkeling area in San Blas Other activities in which to engage while at the Pool and that are included in our all inclusive catamaran trips, are kayaking and paddleboarding to the nearby mangroves, swimming or plane relaxin onboard. Reaching Turtle island for a beer ashore is also a must, be sure not to miss that. Visit San Blas and charter a catamaran with Catamaran Adventures San Blas

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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.

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