Last updated: April 8, 2026

Why a 3-Day San Blas Sailing Trip Is Perfect

A 3-day catamaran charter is the sweet spot for travelers who want more than a day trip but do not have a full week. In three days, you will visit 8-12 islands, snorkel multiple reefs, visit a Guna village, and truly disconnect from the mainland. You will sleep on the boat under the stars, eat fresh lobster on a sandbar, and explore islands that feel like they belong in a movie.

AMPA Tours offers 3-day charters on catamarans from 37 to 62 feet. The minimum sailing duration is 2 nights and 2 days, so a 3-day trip gives you that extra day to go deeper into the archipelago.

Day 1: Panama City to Western San Blas

4:30 AM – Early Morning Pickup

Your adventure starts before dawn. An AMPA Tours 4×4 jeep picks you up from your Panama City hotel. The drive takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours through the mountain roads of the Continental Divide. The road is unpaved in sections and requires a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle, which is why we handle all transport logistics.

7:30 AM – Arrive at the Port

At the Carti or Tupile Dibin port, you pay the $22 per person Guna Yala entry tax in cash. Your panga speedboat takes you the final 20 minutes to your waiting catamaran. Meet your captain and cook, stow your bags, and set sail.

9:00 AM – First Island Stop

Your first stop is usually one of the western islands near the Carti area. These islands are relatively accessible but still stunning: white sand, palm trees, and water so clear you can see the bottom from the deck. Jump in for your first swim while the cook prepares a tropical breakfast.

Afternoon – Island Hopping

Sail between 2-3 islands in the afternoon. Your captain chooses the best spots based on weather conditions. Expect snorkeling over shallow reefs, beachcombing on uninhabited cays, and your first Caribbean sunset from the deck with drinks in hand.

Evening – Dinner Under the Stars

Your cook prepares a fresh seafood dinner: grilled fish, coconut rice, fried plantains, and tropical fruit. After dinner, the sky in San Blas is extraordinary. With zero light pollution, the Milky Way is clearly visible. Many guests say this is the highlight of the entire trip.

Day 2: Deep Exploration

Morning – Guna Village Visit

After breakfast on the boat, sail to one of the inhabited islands to visit a Guna community. Meet local families, learn about their culture, and browse handmade mola textiles. The Guna are famously skilled artisans, and their reverse-applique fabric panels make unique souvenirs ($10-50 each).

Midday – Best Snorkeling Spots

Your captain takes you to the best snorkeling reefs in the area. Isla Perro (Dog Island) is a favorite, with a sunken boat that has become an artificial reef teeming with colorful fish. Visibility is typically 10-20 meters in dry season.

Afternoon – Sandbar Lunch

One of the most memorable moments: lunch on a sandbar. Your cook sets up on a tiny strip of sand barely above the waterline, surrounded by turquoise water in every direction. Fresh lobster (in season November-February), grilled fish, and cold drinks. This is the San Blas experience at its finest.

Evening – Remote Anchorage

Sail to a more remote anchorage for the night. Further from the port, the islands become quieter and more pristine. Paddleboard around the boat, fish off the stern, or simply read on deck as the sun goes down.

Day 3: Final Exploration and Return

Early Morning – Sunrise Swim

Wake up early for a sunrise swim. The water is calmest in the morning, and the light on the islands is magical. Many guests say this is the moment they decide to come back.

Morning – Last Island Stops

Your captain squeezes in 1-2 more island visits before the return journey. Take your final photos, buy any last mola souvenirs, and soak in the last hours of island time.

11:00 AM – Sail Back to Port

Begin the return sail to the mainland port. The panga takes you to shore where your 4×4 jeep is waiting for the drive back to Panama City, arriving around 3-4 PM.

What a 3-Day Charter Costs

Pricing depends on the catamaran and group size:

• Budget (Lagoon 37, 4 guests): ~$500/person/day = $1,500/person for 3 days
• Mid-range (Lagoon 42, 4 guests): ~$550/person/day = $1,650/person for 3 days
• Premium (Leopard 50, 6 guests): ~$500/person/day = $1,500/person for 3 days

Add $135/person for round-trip 4×4 transport and $22/person for Guna Yala tax.

View all boats and pricing on our fleet page.

Essential Packing for 3 Days

Check our complete San Blas packing list. The short version:

• Soft bag (no hard suitcases), max 13kg for shared 4×4
• 2-3 swimsuits, light clothing, rain jacket
• Reef-safe sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
• Cash: $22 for tax + $50-100 for island purchases
• Original passport (required at Guna Yala checkpoint)
• Camera in waterproof bag or case