Last updated: October 1, 2026
One of the most common questions from travellers planning a Panama trip is: how much does San Blas cost? The honest answer depends on how you go, how long you stay, and whether you choose a group tour or a private experience. This complete 2026 pricing guide breaks down every cost so you can plan your San Blas budget with full confidence.
San Blas trip cost calculator
Every figure comes from the rate sheet we quote from. Pick a trip and a group size and the estimate updates as you go. Nothing is booked until we confirm your dates on WhatsApp.
Price ranges only get you so far. Here are three real trips worked out line by line from our current prices (September 2026), so you can see exactly where each dollar goes.
Total: $296 for two, or $148 each. The day tour costs the same on every date, holidays included. Bring cash only for extras such as tips or a mola, because there are no ATMs in San Blas.
Total: $2,700 + $280 + $44 = $3,024 for two, or $1,512 each.
The boat price covers a private catamaran with captain and cook, all meals on board, drinks with and without alcohol, in moderation, and snorkel gear. The Lagoon 37 is a simple, comfortable boat: three double cabins, one shared bathroom and no air conditioning. If you want air conditioning, our catamarans with A/C start at a higher nightly rate.
With a private 4×4 instead of shared: the $280 becomes $580 round trip for the two of you, so the total is $2,700 + $580 + $44 = $3,324. The road is the hardest part of any San Blas trip, and we honestly think the private car is worth it if it fits your budget. The water taxi from the port is shared either way.
Holiday dates change the boat price, and only the boat price. In Carnival week or Holy Week every charter costs 20% more: $2,700 x 1.20 = $3,240 for the boat, so the same trip is $3,240 + $280 + $44 = $3,564. From December 20 to January 10 charters need at least 5 nights, so this 3-night trip is not possible then. Five nights with all of them inside that window would be $900 x 1.20 x 5 = $5,400 for the boat, or $5,724 in total. If only some nights fall inside a holiday window, only those nights carry the 20%. Transport and the Guna Yala tax never change.
Total: $1,380 + $88 = $1,468 for four, or $367 each.
Unlike a charter, the island price already includes round-trip 4×4 transport from Panama City and the boat to the island, plus three meals a day, paddleboards and snorkeling around the island reef. Children under 9 do not pay the $20 entry part of the Guna Yala tax, so take $20 off for each child under 9. Child prices for the stay itself depend on the island and the child’s age, so we confirm them in your quote. This example uses the full per-person price for all four guests.
Be ready for island life. These are simple wooden cabins, each with its own bathroom, on land governed by the Guna people and their rules. Power is limited: you charge phones at the restaurant in the evening. These prices are for standard dates. Pelicano and some other islands cost more over Christmas and New Year, and we confirm yours when you send us your dates.
| Trip | Who | Total | Per person | Transport and Guna tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full day tour | Couple | $296 | $148 | Both included |
| Lagoon 37 catamaran, 3 nights | Couple | $3,024 (shared 4×4) or $3,324 (private 4×4) | $1,512 or $1,662 | Both added and shown in the total |
| Pelicano Island, 2 nights | Family of 4 | $1,468 | $367 | Transport included, Guna tax added |
Want numbers for your own group? The calculator at the top of this page works out other group sizes, boats and islands the same way, and we confirm the final price when you message us.
Day trips to San Blas from Panama City are the most affordable way to experience the islands, though they give you the least time on the water.
AMPA Tours San Blas Full Day Tour: $148 per person
What is included with AMPA Tours full-day tour:
What is typically NOT included:
AMPA Tours full-day tour total: $148 per person, all in. Kuna taxes, lunch, and one non-alcoholic drink are included in that price.
One important caveat: day trips involve a lot of driving (6+ hours round-trip) relative to time on the islands (typically 4–5 hours). Most travellers who do a day trip wish they had stayed longer.
Multi-day tours are the most popular way to experience San Blas. Spending 3–7 nights gives you time to explore multiple island areas, snorkel extensively, and genuinely unwind.
The minimum recommended duration for a proper San Blas experience. Costs vary based on accommodation type (rustic island cabins versus comfortable sailing yachts) and what is included in the package. Island cabin stays start at $200 per person on Franklin Island, our most affordable overnight option.
The most popular option. This duration gives you enough time to visit a wide range of islands, from the more accessible western islands to the remote outer islands with pristine reefs and fewer visitors.
For travellers wanting full immersion in the archipelago. At this duration, many tours include the classic Panama-to-Colombia sailing passage through the open Caribbean, a bucket-list journey in its own right.
What is typically included in multi-day tour prices:
What is typically NOT included:
For couples, families, or small groups wanting a fully private experience, a private catamaran or sailing yacht charter is the ultimate way to explore San Blas. You set the itinerary, move at your own pace, and have the boat entirely to yourselves. Popular choices range from mid-size catamarans like the Lagoon 42 to the flagship Ipanema 58 for larger groups.
Private catamaran charter (4–6 guests): USD 1,200–2,500 per day
Per-person equivalent with 6 guests: approximately USD 200–420 per day, all-inclusive
For a 7-day private charter shared by 6 guests, this works out to approximately USD 1,400–2,900 per person, comparable to or less than many luxury resort holidays, but with a completely unique and exclusive experience.
If you are weighing up a full week, our 7-day San Blas catamaran itinerary sets out what each day looks like and which islands a week reaches that a shorter trip cannot.
Private charters include:
To explore private charter options and current pricing, visit our San Blas Islands page.
Knowing how much does San Blas cost also means planning your cash carefully. There are no ATMs in the archipelago, everything is USD cash. Here is a realistic per-person cash allowance on top of your main tour fee:
Recommended cash buffer: USD 100–200 per person for a 4–7 day trip, on top of your tour fee. Withdraw this from a Panama City ATM before departure.
San Blas consistently surprises travellers with what it delivers for the price:
Compared to a week at a Caribbean resort (typically USD 2,000–5,000 per person all-inclusive), a quality San Blas multi-day tour represents extraordinary value. The absence of resorts and tourist infrastructure is precisely what makes San Blas so special.
For most travellers, a 4–5 day group tour in the USD 500–900 range offers the best balance of value, experience, and time on the islands.
At Amazing Panama Tours, we offer transparent, all-inclusive pricing with no hidden fees. Whether you’re looking for a group sailing voyage or an exclusive private charter, our team will find the right option for your budget and travel style.
Explore Our San Blas Catamaran Charters →
Have questions about what’s included or how to budget for your trip? Contact us directly, we respond within 24 hours.
| Experience | Price | Includes | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Day Tour | $148/person | Transport, lunch, snorkeling, 3 islands, taxes | 1 day |
| Island Cabin Stay | $200-625 per person for 1 night, transport included | Cabin, 3 meals, beach access | 1-3 nights |
| Catamaran Charter | From $500/person/day | Boat, crew, all meals, drinks, snorkeling | 2-7 days |
| 4×4 Transport | $140/person RT | Panama City to port + panga | ~3 hrs each way |
| Guna Yala Tax | $22/person | Entry to Guna Yala comarca | Per visit |
| Charter flight | Quoted per group | Albrook to Corazon de Jesus | About 50 min |
Quick answers
$148 per person, all-inclusive: 4x4 transport from Panama City, boat to 2 or 3 islands, lunch, snorkeling gear, one non-alcoholic drink, and the $22 Guna entry tax already included.
Per person: $350 to $600 for 3 nights, $550 to $950 for 5 nights, and $750 to $1,400 for 7 nights, depending on whether you sleep in island cabins or on a sailing yacht and what the package includes.
On multi-day trips, the $22 Guna Yala tax is paid in cash at the Nusagandi checkpoint ($7 for Panamanian residents with proof of residency). Budget $10 to $20 per day if you want to tip your guide and crew.
Drinking water and non-alcoholic beverages are included on multi-day tours. Alcoholic drinks are included on AMPA private sailing charters, but not on island cabin stays.
More than most expect. A private catamaran runs $1,200 to $2,500 per day for the whole boat; shared by 6 guests, that is roughly $200 to $420 per person per day, all-inclusive. A full 7-day private charter works out to about $1,400 to $2,900 per person.
Plan your trip
All-inclusive: transport, 3 islands, lunch, snorkeling. Best value in San Blas.
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