San Blas Islands Day Tour with Transport from Panama City
Overview
Available languages
14 hours
Mobile ticket
Leave the city behind and immerse yourself in the untouched beauty of the San Blas Islands. After an early pick-up in Panama City, travel through winding jungle roads before boarding your boat to the Caribbean. Your first stop is Isla Perro Chico, where you can snorkel around the shallow shipwreck or simply relax on soft white sands.
Cool off at the Natural Pool, a sandbank surrounded by clear waters, then head to Isla Chichime, one of San Blas’ most iconic islands. Here, enjoy a freshly prepared lunch (fish, chicken, or vegetarian) and time to explore the beach.
Before returning, make a final stop at Isla Diablo for photos, a swim, or a last chance to unwind. With roundtrip transport, guided logistics, and island hospitality, this tour blends adventure, culture, and relaxation into one unforgettable day.
✅ Roundtrip transport from Panama City
✅ Island lunch included
✅ Snorkel gear available on request
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Confirmation will be received at time of booking.
Departure time is between 5:00am and 5:45am from your Panama City lodging. If staying at Playa Bonita area, your departure time is between 5:00am and 5:15am..
You are welcome to bring a cooler with your own drinks, potable water, snacks and beverages (fruit juice or alcohol). The driver will stop at a supermarket on the way to San Blas in order for you to purchase additional items.
PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO BRING YOUR ORIGINAL PASSPORT. WITHOUT IT, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE KUNA TERRITORY AND THE SAN BLAS ISLANDS.
Please be advised that San Blas is in the Guna territory, which is an autonomous, Indian zone. The services are very basic. The Gunas will be providing all touristic services, such as meal preparations, car and boat transportations, lodging, and tour guiding. We are proud to be working with this friendly tribe and with each booking we give back to the community, supporting their customs and their traditional way of life. We kindly ask you to respect this beautiful culture and their simple way of life, leaving your expectations behind and learning about their innocent culture.
We recommend that you bring your personal hygiene items, such as towels, sunscreen, hats, mosquito repellent.
In San Blas Islands there are no ATMs, please bring cash. You can buy additional drinks, snacks, souvenirs etc.
“Tigo” is the cell phone company that has the best reception in San Blas.
Infants need to sit on laps
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
PLEASE BE PREPARED FOR A 2.5 to 3 HOUR CAR JOURNEY EACH WAY OVER CURVY ROADS! THERE IS ALSO A 25-30 MINUTE BOAT RIDE TO YOUR FIRST ISLAND WHICH CAN GET QUITE BUMPY AND WET. We feel that the islands are worth the long drive, but some travelers have complained about the drive and the fast boat ride from and to the port. While we strive to provide our guests the best service and an unforgettable experience in San Blas, we are not responsible for road and ocean conditions, and we would like you to be aware of this fact :)
AGAIN!!! Please be prepared for a 2.5 hour car journey each way (1 hour on a highway and about 1.5 hours through the mountains over curvy roads! Please do not leave bad reviews because of the road. We try to warn you ahead of time ;)
During the boat transfer, the boat may make short stops at different islands to pick up or drop off other travelers. These pauses give you a quick glimpse of everyday island life, from children playing on the beach to fishermen preparing their catch, adding a touch of authenticity to the experience before arriving at your first main destination.
While the check-in process in the port of San Blas may feel busy and a little unstructured, the local Guna community has a well-established system, and all guests are taken care of.
The road to San Blas is very curvy. If you are sensitive to motion sickness, please prepare accordingly by bringing appropriate medication.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
San Blas Day Tour to 3 spots
Island Taxes
Shared roundtrip transfer from your hotel in Panama City to Port of Carti
Air-conditioned vehicle
One beverage: Bottle of water, soda or beer
Shared boat/lancha transportation all day
Use of Snorkel Equipment (snorkel and mask)
Fried fish or chicken with rice and salad. Vegetarian option available.
San Blas Islands
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Panama City
5:00–5:45 AM: Begin your adventure with hotel pick-up in licensed 4x4 vehicles. Relax during the scenic 2.5–3 hour drive through winding jungle highlands. Along the way, there’s a short stop for bathrooms and snacks before continuing to the Caribbean coast.
San Blas Islands
Arrival at the Port of San Blas 8:30–9:00 AM: Arrive at the port for check-in and boat organization. While the process can feel lively and a bit hectic, the Guna community has operated these transfers for decades, and every traveler is efficiently accounted for. From here, board your boat for a 30-minute ride across the turquoise Caribbean Sea toward your first island. During the boat transfer, the boat may make short stops at different islands to pick up or drop off other travelers.
Options
One Day Amazing SAN BLAS 4-ISLAND-HOPPING + Round-Trip Transport
Duration: 14 hours
Lunch + Drink: Fresh fish or chicken with rice and salad. Vegetarian option available. Choice of beer, water, or soda
San Blas Day Tour: Pick up from your lodging - Port of Carti - Isla Perro, Isla Nuinudup, Isla Diablo, Natural Pools (itinerary may vary)
Shuttle from Panama City: Roundtrip transportation from Panama City area in a shared car with max 6 passengers. Pick up at your address 5:00-5:45am
Pickup included
Pick up from Playa Bonita
Duration: 14 hours
Lunch + Drink: Fresh fried fish or chicken with rice and salad. Vegetarian option available. Choice of beer, water, or soda
San Blas Day Tour: Pick up from your lodging - Port of Carti - Isla Perro, Isla Nuinudup, Isla Diablo, Natural Pools (itinerary may vary)
Shuttle from Playa Bonita: Roundtrip transportation from Playa Bonita area in a shared SUV with max 6 passengers. Pick up at your address 5:00-5:30am.
Pickup included
Reviews
15 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Thank you for this memorable experience!!!
sammyworldtraveler,
Jul 5, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Beautiful islands, great service from start to end. The drive to San Blas was not as bad as expected. Once in the islands we were surrounded by a true paradise, unlike anything we have every experienced. Thank you Tao Travel fro making our Panama vacation memorable.
Beautiful water very primitive structures.
TAskew77,
Jun 27, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The views were amazing! The water was crystal clear blue. The food was horrible - overly fried chicken and fish. Fried so hard that it was barely edible. The bathroom accommodations were primitive. If you want tourist to keep coming they should clean up the place! The curvy road to get there was horrible. If I could have gotten an uber back to the city I would have asked to just been put out and let the others go without me. It should also be clearly stated that this is not a yacht or a catamaran boat. Nothing about this excursion is easy or relaxing or luxurious.
Amazing tour to San Blas paradise
W7377PQastridb,
May 2, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Totally worth it! We spend an amazing day in the San Blas islands. Not sure why others complain about the drive. We totally enjoyed the jungle scenery and we even stopped to take photos of a sloth chilling alongside the road. We will definitely be back one day to spend more time in this paradise!
Top experience
DENIS P,
Feb 13, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00One of the modt beautiful trip i have ever made with viator. I rate it THE BEST. The experience is perfect for thosse who like staying on the beach and swimming in not high water.
Fabulous trip to San Blas islands
normahQ4427HC,
Feb 12, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a fantastic time we had! Our driver was in contact with us and picked us up on time. Shared the 4 x 4 vehicle space with very interesting people. Everyone was kind and helpful. The drive to the port was quite an adventure with lots of twists and turns and potholes. Our drivers Lenny and Jose were amazing the way they negotiated the sad road— but it is being fixed!—all the while asking if we were okay, not feeling motion sickness, etc. Not a trip for the faint of heart but well worth it. The folks help you on and off boats—I’m no spring chicken—so nice to be able to stand in the middle of the ocean in February. Food was ok— locally sourced and cooked there. Lots of beautiful life to see even without snorkeling. Gorgeous views of the jungle and islands surrounded by turquoise water—spectacular! My only complaint is —gotta get the ladder for getting back in the boat fixed. I was a little nervous, having read some reviews beforehand, but now I’m so glad I went!
Horrible.
pmanffrenatti,
Jun 23, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Bad experience with this 1 day tour in San Blás!! The Enterprise leads to an island that has no infrastructure to receive tourists, no seating chairs or sunshine. If you want to, you have to sit in the sand. Bad experience. the least I expected was beach chairs to sit and enjoy the beach, I'm not talking about a super infrastructure. I found it too expensive to have nothing on the island.
Decent, yet room for improvement
Ursula E,
Jun 20, 2022
- Review from Viator
3.00I knew what to expect from the beginning. Yes certain parts of the ride, the roads were bumpy. It was the fun part for me 🤣. As for the meal (lunch), I order chicken and I overall didn't find it to be delicious. However the presentation was nice. Transportation to and from the port was simple.
Amazing
noeln254,
May 22, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tao Travel 365 gave us an experience of a lifetime. Michael, the founder/CEO, was especially helpful. Thank you for the excellent customer service.
Just okay but be ready for the drive
Britney R,
Oct 25, 2021
- Review from Viator
3.00The drive there is absolutely treacherous and they do not plan appropriately so 3 hrs of just picking people up and driving involved through the most pothole filled streets. Then another hour and a half on a boat taxi dropping people off at different islands until you get to your island. Only a few hours to visit a few spots, snorkel gear all broken, severely molded and not at all sanitized between uses (saw them hand the one I just used to someone) and during covid that is highly disturbing. Not at all what was expected for such a high cost.
Pretty island horrible experience
melissahannah17,
Feb 7, 2020
- Review from Viator
2.00I love the islands, they were beautiful but it was very unprofessional with the driver. I had to call and be charge for international rates because we didn’t know the driver’s contact number or information as well as when we had a bathroom break the driver left and did not tell anyone and I had to call again and be charge for international rates. I want to tour or the excursion was over, the driver was late and we were the last people waiting out there for 20 minutes. I would not write this to anyone because of the lack of professionalism and communication
From US$144.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Chat with us on social
Related Experiences
Operated by Tao Travel 365