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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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.

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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

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