San Blas Islands 2-Day Tour with Meals & Boat Adventure
Description
Escape to Yansa Island, one of the most versatile islands in San Blas. Just 35 minutes from the port, this tropical getaway offers the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. Swing over turquoise waters, paddleboard around the coastline, or simply unwind on pristine white-sand beaches. Set in the heart of the Lemon Keys, Yansa is surrounded by San Blas highlights—snorkel the famous shipwreck at Isla Perro, swim in the crystal-clear Natural Pool, or visit Isla Chichime’s tranquil beaches, all just minutes away by boat. Your stay includes private bedrooms inside an island lodge (with shared bathrooms nearby), and meals included . From fresh seafood and chicken to vegetarian options, every dish comes with a taste of local Guna tradition. Breakfasts feature fruit and warm “ojaldre,” a delicious fried bread. With breathtaking sunsets, authentic island charm, and easy access to the best attractions of San Blas, this tour delivers an unforgettable island experience.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
If booking with transportation from Panama City: Please note: Your tour is not confirmed until you provide us with your WhatsApp number, hotel name, and room number. Without this information, we will be unable to arrange your pickup. On the day of your tour, be ready in your hotel lobby between 5:00 AM and 5:45 AM. Transportation is shared (up to 6 guests per vehicle), and routes are planned to collect everyone efficiently. To avoid delays, it’s very important that you are on time. If you are not present at your designated pickup point, the tour will depart without you and no refund will be issued. Our drivers will do their best to contact you via WhatsApp, but they can only wait a maximum of 10 minutes before moving on to ensure timely service for all guests. If driving yourself to San Blas: Please contact our office for detailed driving directions and instructions. Important: Only true 4x4 vehicles are permitted to enter Guna territory. Standard SUVs (e.g., Hyundai Tucson or similar) are not allowed, as they are too small and unsuitable for the challenging mountain roads. Many travelers have been turned away for arriving in non-4x4 vehicles, so please plan accordingly.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Check out from your cabin on the island is at 8:00am
- 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.
- Shower water on Isla Yansailadup is filtered from from ocean water and has a high salt conent. Please preapre accordingly and bring your own shower supplies to feel clean and comfortable, such as liquid soap, prickly heat powder or baby powder to remove salt from skin or wet wipes.
- Aside from using generators for electricity, there are no amenities and utilities as you are used to from the city. Electricity only available between 6pm and 6am. Food is basic, yet freshly prepared such as fresh fried fish, mixed seafood, chicken or lobster (at extra charge) with salad, rice or plantains.
- 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 Kuna territory, which is an autonomous, Indian zone. The services are very basic and most cabins are minimalistic. The Kunas 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.
- 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.
- The boat transfer from the port to the islands may be bumpy with some sea spray. If you are sensitive to motion sickness, please prepare accordingly by bringing appropriate medication. You may also get wet, so please bring some water protection for your luggage and yourself
- There are no electrical outlets in the bedrooms, only light. You can recharge your phones and cameras in the main house.
- We recommend that you bring your personal hygiene items, such as towels, sunscreen, hats, mosquito repellent.
- We will check the availability of the cabin and will send you a confirmation mail.
- “Tigo” is the cell phone company that has the best reception in San Blas
- 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 :)
- IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING!!! San Blas is one of the most beautiful and untouched island paradises in the world — turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and the unique culture of the Kuna people. At the same time, San Blas is very rustic. Think of it more as a cultural adventure or camping trip on a tropical island, rather than a luxury holiday. If you expect 5-star comfort, we recommend our other tours in Panama. If you come with an open mind, you’ll discover an authentic, once-in-a-lifetime experience far from mass tourism. Our Service vs. Local Service We are committed to providing excellent service during your booking process and will do everything possible to assist you before and during your trip. However, please note that we do not own or operate the islands. Once you arrive in San Blas, all services are provided by the local Kuna community, and the quality of service may differ from what you are used to. While we work closely with the Kuna and provide training in hospitality, we cannot guarantee the same service standards during your stay as we do during the booking process. What to Expect in San Blas Accommodation & Comfort No A/C and limited electricity. No WiFi (local SIM cards may work, but not guaranteed). Bathrooms are simple and sometimes not very clean. Kuna families reuse materials that may look like “clutter” — please respect their way of life. Food Meals are freshly prepared in local island kitchens. Expect simple dishes such as grilled or fried fish, chicken, rice, salad, or patacones (fried plantains). Transportation Car ride: 2.5–3 hrs from Panama City, including 1.5 hrs on curvy mountain roads. Shared 4x4 SUVs (7 passengers). If you need extra space, you must purchase an additional seat. Pick-up between 5:00–5:30am. Please be ready on time — drivers cannot delay more than 10 minutes. No refunds for late/no-shows. Boat ride: 20–40 min depending on weather/sea conditions. Can be bumpy and wet. Kuna Culture Only Kuna are permitted to work in San Blas. Most do not speak English, and service is not “hospitality industry” style, but they are kind and welcoming in their own way. A smile and respectful approach go a long way. Environment & Nature Trash: unfortunately, ocean currents bring plastic waste from across the Caribbean. Kunas clean regularly, but you may see debris. They also repurpose some materials. Sandflies: common during rainy or windless periods (April–Dec). Please bring strong insect repellent. Weather: Panama’s climate is unpredictable. Forecasts often show rain, but many days are still sunny. Rain can happen anytime — no refunds for rainy days. Health & Safety San Blas is remote, with very limited medical care. Only minor issues can be treated locally. For anything serious (e.g., broken bones), evacuation to Panama City is required. Guests are responsible for all emergency costs (boat, car, hospital). We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. It’s about disconnecting, experiencing a unique culture, and enjoying some of the most stunning islands in the world. Come with patience, flexibility, and an open heart. The Kuna people may be reserved, but they are gentle and kind, and you will often be rewarded with a warm smile. With the right mindset, San Blas will give you memories of paradise that last a lifetime.
- The use of drones is prohibited in San Blas. Heavy fines are imposed on those who disobey the law.
- In San Blas Islands there are no ATMs - please bring. You can buy additional drinks, snacks, souvenirs etc
- 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 ;)
- Welcome to Yansailadup Island! When you arrive at the port, please be patient while the Guna authorities finalize the guest entry list. Once ready, the island family will welcome you and guide you to your boat transfer. During your stay, the family will handle your boat transportation, meals, and accommodation. Meals are freshly prepared with local ingredients, and vegetarian options can be arranged, though there is no set vegetarian menu. Tours are not guided, and activities like snorkeling may be adjusted or canceled if weather conditions make it unsafe. Please keep in mind that ocean currents can bring some debris ashore despite the family’s efforts to keep the beaches clean. If you have any questions or concerns, we encourage you to share them during your stay so we can make your experience as enjoyable as possible. Thank you for choosing Yansailadup Island—we look forward to hosting you in this beautiful paradise.
- The check-in process at the port can feel busy and informal, but the Guna community has an organized system and all guests are well taken care of. During the boat ride, your lancha may make brief stops at nearby islands to pick up or drop off other travelers.
- Boat transfers may stop at other islands to pick up or drop off guests, offering a glimpse of authentic Guna island life.
- The road to San Blas is very curvy. If you are sensitive to motion sickness, please prepare accordingly by bringing appropriate medication.
Reviews(15)
Everything was excellent, everyone was attentive. Cordial and cared about our presence. There was a shrimp that was very good, the drivers and sailors were very nice. We just thought they could have taken us (even if we paid) to other nearby islands. Besides, it was excellent.
Muito obrigado pelo seu comentário tão positivo! 😊 Ficamos muito felizes em saber que vocês se sentiram bem recebidos e curtiram tanto o passeio — e que o camarão estava aprovado, claro! 🦐 Agradecemos também pela sugestão sobre visitar outras ilhas. É uma ótima ideia, e com certeza vamos considerar opções adicionais (até mesmo com custo extra) para quem quiser explorar mais do arquipélago. Foi um prazer tê-los conosco e esperamos vê-los novamente em uma próxima aventura! 🌴🚤
We loves this trip! Everything was amazing, however the communication was probably not the best. A lot of times we didn’t know what was happening or what we should do but besides that everything was great.
Thank you so much for your feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you loved the trip and found everything amazing. It’s wonderful to know you had a great experience overall. We apologize for the communication issues you encountered and understand how important clear instructions are during a tour. Your feedback is invaluable. We are consistently working with our Kuna tour team to educate them about customer service to ensure all our guests feel fully informed throughout their experience. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you on another adventure soon!
It's with mixed emotions that I write this review. On the one hand, the island was beautiful and peaceful and very relaxing. On the other, I found the disorganization of the operators to be stressful. If you're the type of person who feels the need to be kept in the loop, this is not the trip for you. First, we were picked up at our hotel at 5:15 by a man driving an SUV a little smaller than a Toyota 4Runner and there were already 4 other people in the car. With three of us in the middle row and everyone's bags, it was pretty cramped. And the driver DIDN'T TELL US ANYTHING. We had no idea if he was taking us to a larger bus with more people or all the way to the port to catch the boat. Nor did he tell us anything about how long it would take or what time we'd be stopping for snacks or anything about the region we would be visiting. Literally, nothing. Turns out he did take us all the way to the port and please believe me when I tell you that trip is NO JOKE (especially being cramped in the middle row between 2 other people). The first part isn't too bad and I wondered why people complained about the road being so curvy. But I soon learned after stopping for snacks (side note: I highly recommend either bringing or buying a cooler at the convenience store where they stop and loading it with drinks and/or snacks because any drinks you want to buy on the island including water are $2 each). It's the part of the trip AFTER the store that would have been unbearable if I hadn't taken prescription strength motion sickness medicine. The road is paved, but it's VERY NARROW and HILLY and CURVY....and it seems to go on FOREVER. Just when you think you are getting close to the end, you aren't. And I understand that the tour operators can't do anything about the road, but to not have any information from the driver and being cramped in an SUV was just not the least bit fun, much less relaxing. No one talked or got to know each other, we were just subjected to listen to the awful music our driver chose to listen to for the entire 3+ hours in the car. Eventually we arrived at a rudimentary port and everyone got out of the car except for us. The only info we got out of the driver was that we had to go to another "port". Luckily, it was only a few minutes down the road. Once there, we moved to a shaded seating area where several other people were waiting. Again, there was NO communication from the tour operators. It would have been nice to have someone explain the procedure so we would know what to expect, but everyone just sat around wondering what time we would be departing and how long it would take and where we were (like some history or information on the region). One man was going from group to group asking for names, essentially checking to see if everyone who had booked had made it there. We waited for about 20 minutes before being directed to a boat with about 18 other tourists on it and 3 "guides". The boat trip was about 40 minutes and wasn't bad at all. Once at the island, one of the "guides" who had been on the boat directed everyone to a seating area and asked for passports and money (if you had not already paid for the trip. If you had already paid, you had to show the payment confirmation). It took about 30 minutes for them to get to us and ultimately take us to the room we would be staying in. AGAIN, note that there is no welcome to the island with any explanation of where things were or what was available to us. For me, it would have made all the difference to have heard even a short 5 min spiel along the lines of "we are so glad you are all here. This island has been in our family for X number of years. You can find the bathrooms over there. We have kayaks for rent and at mealtime, simply sit down at one of these tables and we will bring your food out to you. After lunch today we will be taking a trip to island _______ where you can snorkle or relax in a hammock or swim". There are 4 private huts on this island and one larger building with 8 individual rooms, which is where our room was. The walls of the rooms do not go all the way to the ceiling, meaning you can hear other people talking (and snoring!) in the other rooms. I expected our room to be very basic, but the only thing in it was a bed and a hook on the wall. There was no table or even a shelf so your only two options to place anything are on the bed or the sandy wooden floor. We were served lunch (which I thought was delicious!) and then taken on a couple of excursions. The first one being a sand bar where you could snorkel or just swim and the second being another larger island where there was a sunken ship just off shore. This island has a small bar where you can buy tropical drinks. We were there for about an hour before returning to our island. The afternoon is open to do whatever you want which I found to be very relaxing, but if you have a hard time just napping or reading or playing solitaire or building a sandcastle, you might become bored pretty quickly. We went to bed right after dinner and left right after breakfast the next morning to head back to Panama City. Same thing on the trip back...cramped in the middle row with 2 other people and the ride seemed even longer that time. All in all, I certainly didn't hate it but I can honestly say I wouldn't do it again. And I struggle to recommend this particular tour. Maybe some of the others are better at communication and execution, but this one is definitely lacking in both.
Dear Daisy, thank you for taking the to send us your detailed feedback. It seems that you did not read our thorough San Blas disclaimer or the itinerary, which was sent to you two days before your trip. In this itinerary the whole excursion is broken down from start to finish. Reading the itinerary, you would have read that the car trip takes up to 3 hours, with 1.5 hours over slow curvy roads. You would have also read that our drivers only speak Spanish. They are drivers focusing on the road and not tour guides. In our disclaimer which is in our Viator listing, we mention the basic amenities of the islands and the lack of service in San Blas. Those booking a tour to San Blas usually visit for its amazing ocean and beaches and the peace and tranquility. San Blas is a place for people to unwind and get away from their phones and outside distractions. Those who easily get bored and require full attention would probably be better served staying in an all inclusive resort with professional entertainment options. We are sorry you did not enjoy your visit. Again, we feel that had you read the disclaimer and itinerary your expectations would have been better aligned with the upcoming experience. Rather than giving this amazing place a 2 star review, maybe it would have been a five star review instead ;)
Sam Blas, the Island of Yani, was a beautiful relaxing time. The transportation was clean and timely. The road to the boat is paved, so smooth but very curvy. The driver was great handling curves. The island was welcoming, plenty of relaxing. Kayaks and canoes are available. Food was good The only thing that could have made it more comfortable would be a few more chairs to relax in. The island did had plenty of hammocks. I wish I would have brought a small battery fan for sleeping at night. Could have left our door open because there were not any mosquitoes.The people were accommodating ( took my son out to fish for a little while, and changed our travel time). Great rustic trip, would definitely do again.
We're delighted you enjoyed your visit to San Blas. We appreciate the feedback about additional chairs for relaxation and will take it into consideration. We're thrilled you found our service and scenery great! Cheers to your next visit!
Excellent views, it is a heavenly place, the food and accommodation is basic, however, it is worth the experience
Gracias por tu reseña. Nos alegra que hayas disfrutado de las vistas y la experiencia en general :)
I could score five if the island owners hadn't been vile to me. The agency picked me up at the hotel as agreed and when we arrived in San Blas were already waiting for me on the boat to arrive on the island. Simple cottage but nice, like everything there but visually beautiful, small and clean island. We had lunch, just me, a Chilean, 1 couple who had lunch and left and another 1 Canadian couple. The strange night we only had four of us. My cell phone battery was already running out and I had already read q the night could charge. Where did I carry what was my surprise? They said q I couldn't pq were in trouble. Ice drinks, various lights on and even in the cabin there was light. I was super upset, the q do alone, 7 hrs of the night, no battery and with the Internet running. I went to the bathroom and went to check the wires and as the saint protects I found it taken with USB as in the photo and I charged the phone. In the morning already with full battery, I went to ask again and I was denied once more. The boat tour ended up leaving only in the afternoon, everything was beautiful and I stayed on the island without leaving more than 24 hours.
Lamentamos que você não tenha tido a experiência que esperava. Estamos acompanhando a administração da ilha enquanto trabalhamos para melhorar nossos serviços para garantir que todos os nossos hóspedes tenham uma estadia agradável. Estamos felizes que você tenha gostado de sua experiência geral em San Blas. Esperamos que você volte ao Panamá novamente em breve.
Visiting the Islas San Blas was an impressive experience. We stayed on Yami Island for one night and really got into a kind of Cast-Away-Island feeling. Everyone we interacted with, from our driver to the boat crew and the people working on the island, was welcoming and polite. I can wholeheartedly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Panama.
Thank you for your kind words! We are delighted to hear that you had a great experience with us and that our staff was welcoming and polite. We hope to see you again soon!
I recommend 100% visiting the islands of Guna Yala. Very good experience with the agency. They sent me the itinerary a couple of days before the tour with all the necessary information. The road is not in good condition so I recommend booking transport for comfort and a pill for dizziness does not go amiss either, especially if the sea is exhausted. We were on Yani Island. Lovely and very quiet. There is an option for paddle surfing. The food is simple but good. Remember to bring water as there is no water on the island. The only thing that would improve is that on the reservation it said that we would be provided with diving goggles for the excursion and then there were no.
Very nice place for a get away from the everyday life. Nice and calm place. Not much to do on the Island except swimming, reading and playing games. It was a very very bumpy ride to the port. We got very delayed because of a storm which is fair, but no one told us anything about it so we just sat in the car and waited for 40 minutes. We then got to the Island and found out that water was not included in the price and we didn't know we had to bring our own water... So we had to pay 2USD $ for 0,5L bottle of water... For two people we ended up buying 10 bottles... The food was mediocre with little variety (rice, fried fish or chicken and some Vegetables) which wasn't great for Vegetarians... We met some lovely people on our trip and talked for hours after dinner and watched a storm in the distance with a lot of lighting. The people on the Islands doesn't really speak English so be aware of that.
Natasja, we are sorry you id not enjoy your trip to San Blas. San Blas is an island paradise, which invites guests to enjoy and get away from everyday life, as you had mentioned. The islands have remained this kind of paradise because of their remote location and the lack of amenities that can be found in the many commercialized places. Swimming, reading, snorkeling and getting to know the shy Kunas is the way of life here. Regarding the extra charges of water. We clearly state in our listing that drinks are excluded. In the itinerary that we send two days before the excursion, we also list the Inclusions and Exclusions (such as drinks). We ask our guests to take a few minutes and read the communication that we send. We also have a lengthy San Blas disclaimer that can be seen in this listing and that we send again to all guests, which properly prepares all guests and aligns expectations.
Terrible customer service. We had no working light in our room as well as a room with no lock. We booked a 2 bed and they stuck us in something called the dormitorio that didnt even have a door to close. When I contacted Tao Travel who prides themselves on being 24/7 they took forever to answer and then were extremely condescending. Sarahi was the "Customer service agent' that talked down to me like a child. If you're looking at San Blas book it, just not through this provider. Also the people on the trip who booked through San Blas Dreams got a much better deal.
Dear Jon, We are sad to see you did not enjoy your San Blas stay. We clearly state all facts about our lodging on the listing that you booked. We also show photos of the main house, which has 8 private bedrooms (Please read the listing description, which mentions "Private Bedroom"). Since we are working with the indigenous Guna tribe in a very remote location, we also include a thorough disclaimer that is on our listing and that we sent once more to each guest before the start of their trip. The disclaimer clearly states that conditions in San Blas are very basic and that services depend on the Guna island management. We do our best to work with the island owners as well as to prepare our guests expectations. San Blas is a a true paradise, very remote and still authentic. However, when guest expectations are not properly aligned and when guests do not properly read the descriptions and call our office disgruntled and often very rude, we do our best to explain the aforementioned facts to them. Sarahi is our most experienced agent and we can confidently say that she is always acting very professional and polite, as those are a very important customer service factors for us. We also cannot take responsibility for your action of booking our tour over another one and paying a different price. Every company includes different options, some of them very basic, others offer more. Our listing includes late check-out with an island boat tour. Our products have very competitive rates and our customer service is service is top notch. We invite our guests to to their own research and come to their own conclusion that we provide the best overall service in San Blas.
