Private Day tour in San Blas Islands

San Blas Islands Tour Review TLDR - Amazing! Would do it again! Private is the way to go, can choose when to move on to the next island. Weekends there are more people. Not for the easily motion/seasick to get to the islands. The facilities were fine. The people were friendly and welcoming. It is a really long day but worth it. We started at 5:00 am. The ride from Panama City is 2.5 hours and the road can be curvy. You will have the best time on this trip if you read the entire description! They tell you everything you need to know. If you are looking for a five star resort, this is not the trip for you. If you are looking for a beautiful environment with breathtaking views and lovely people along with modest facilities and a bumpy boat ride to get there, you will love it! Be sure to support the Guna/Kuna women by purchasing molas. The only thing we would do differently is try going during the week. There were more people on the weekend. We just moved to a different island and got a prime spot before others arrived. The beauty of a private tour. Otherwise, I cannot recommend it enough.

The car ride is long and at the end bumpy. Make sure to bring your passports as you’ll need them at the border. The day we went the weather was rough so that made for a very painful non relaxing boat ride. Once we got to the islands it was calmer and weather was a little better. We were given fruit immediately and our own table and chairs in the shade. The water was perfect. Lunch was good and a drink included. We went to two other islands and the swimming pool. It would have been nice just to stay at one location though. Our guide was great, so kind to help carry our drinks and bags at each stop. We headed back early cuz it started getting windy and we were just done at that point. The ride back was smoother. Try not to have to use the restrooms at the dock. They are not very nice and yell at you to pay them.

I was quite nervous about this trip due to the reviews about the roads and boat ride. I believe thise reviews are exaggerated. The last hour of the car ride was through the mountains so yes it was winding but the roads were paved and I felt extremely safe. If you get motion sickness so I would recommend taking a Dramamine. The boat ride was fine and sooo worth it once you get to the islands. We visited white sands where we had a tasty lunch and the clearest waters I’ve ever seen. We visited the natural pool island which was a sand bar in the middle of the ocean where we saw starfish. We visited two other islands which were just as beautiful. San Blas is a must do when visiting Panama. Our group did a few excursions during our 7 day visit and this was everyone’s favourite.

A truly unique experience touring various islands of San Blas and getting to see and learn more about the Cuna indigenous culture. The private tour actually got us to the islands to have them all by ourselves for a bit, and the islands and water are stunning! Definitely worth the effort to get out there. (Given the rudimentary cabins for rent out there, I am glad we only did a day tour vs. spending the night out there.)

The private San Blas tour was epic. We were picked up at our apartment by a private driver. He did a great job of getting ahead of the other tours for an early start and left the gas station as soon as we finished eating to get us there sooner. Once we got to the port we had our own boat, guide, captain and first mate. It was great. We were 5 people. We were alone on our first island for about an hour before others arrived. Eddie brought fresh pineapples for our family and brought our drinks to where we sat swam and snorkeled. The natural pool was pretty cool. A perfectly white sandbar about 2-4 feet deep surrounded by deeper water. Again - only ones there and stayed until we wanted to go. We went to have lunch. That food was OK. I had bones in my fish fillet, the whole fish by brother got was better and interestingly I think the chicken was the best meal. That island was cool with a sunken ship. Last we went to pelican island and relaxed in hammocks in the water and on the beach. The crew shared drinks with us and taught us what they could about their culture and even some of their words. I felt both immersed in their culture while having a first class experience. Seeing other boats with 10-15 people on them this is the way to go for sure.

Great experience from the word go. Be aware it takes time to get there from Panama City. Took 4 hours from 5:00AM hotel pick-up before your toes hit island sands. 3 1/4 to get to the Marina. However, the SUV we travelled in was newish and clean. The driver only had rudimentary English skills, which made for limited discussion during a long trip. But he was pleasant and accommodating. The last hour's drive is in the mountains before you hit the sea. Twisty-turny, uppy-downy you go. If you have a modicum of being subject to car sickness, take a Gravol. If you are on a tour where you might get stuck in the back seats of an old Honda CRV, take several. Frankly, i think a lot has to do with the temperment of the driver. This private tour vehicle and its driver were terrific. I watched and he seldom went over 40kph in the mountains and he wasn't offended or challenged by several other vehicles taking risks to pass him. He calmly drove on, for which i was appreciative. We have taken six tours this trip and note that every single tour guide and driver are male. Brings to mind that a high school boy's locker room, after the game, with various air-clouded AXE body spray assaults confronting you, the impact has nothing on some of these guys. If you have scent sensitivity, i would suggest requesting a scent free driver. I had to ride with the window open all the way. The islands were wonderful but you have to be aware that while the boat and guides are private to you, the places you go are not. One aspect of this excursion that was unique to the private tour was the guides stopped say a hundred meters or so off one of the islands, dropped the anchor, and we snorkeled with them looking at sting rays, etc. Apparently i saw a shark, as proven by the video the guide took during our swim, but i didn't realize i saw it. Ha. The shark was the same colour as the coral. Terrific tour, worth every penny. enjoy.

It was downright stunning! We had a great time and you did a good job preparing us for what was in store. Our tour team was friendly and helpful. My only issue, and this is minor, is if you have customers who are senior citizens, it's a bit hard to get in and out of the boat. Our tour team was very helpful ensuring my parents had support getting in and out, but it was difficult. Regardless, I can't wait to go again! It was magical!

Islands were nice. Lunch was not good. Drive was ok. The stop was crowded with lot of people. Bathrooms were bad everywhere.

Great experience. Very well prepared and good level of service l. Nice people with how have a day of tour.

To complete your experience in Panama, you have to go to San Blas, you are speechless when you arrive and see the Archipelago , they receive you very friendly and to know the islands in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, much peace and tranquility . The only detail is the road with many bumps but nothing that cannot be overcome