Private Sailing

San Blas Catamaran & Sailing Charters

Your own catamaran or sailboat, with crew and every meal cooked on board, from $250 per person a night

Luxury Catamarans Classic Catamarans Monohull Sailboats

All-Inclusive

A private San Blas charter costs from $250 per person per night for 2 guests on a sailboat, $450 on a catamaran and $725 on a catamaran with air conditioning. The crew (a captain and a cook on every catamaran; on some sailboats the captain also cooks), meals, drinks (with and without alcohol, in moderation), snorkel gear and fuel are included. Transport from Panama City (a private 4x4 with a shared water taxi from $580 round trip for 2, or shared at $140 per person) and the Guna Yala tax ($22 per tourist) are extra. Minimum 2 nights.

Captain & Crew

3 Meals Daily

Drinks Included

Snorkel Gear

Fuel Included

Prices at a Glance

What a San Blas charter costs

Boat type	Per night, 2 guests	Per person, per night	3 nights for 2	Up to	A/C
Monohull Sailboats	from $500	$250	$1,500	6 guests	No
Classic Catamarans	from $920	$460	$2,760	12 guests	No
Luxury Catamarans	from $1,450	$725	$4,350	12 guests	Yes
Single cabin, Lagoon 52-G	sold per person	from $280	from $840 per person	your cabin	No

All-inclusive on board. Per night for the whole boat with 2 guests; on most boats each extra guest lowers the price per person. New Year, Carnival and Holy Week carry a 20% surcharge. Prices checked October 2026

Trusted by Travelers

I joined my friend's trip with AMPA Tours and honestly didn't expect it to be this amazing. The San Blas Islands are next-level beautiful. The catamaran was super comfortable, the crew treated us like VIPs, and we got to snorkel, explore tiny islands, and eat fresh-caught seafood.
Allan Y. , Panama

Why San Blas

Why San Blas is made for private sailing

San Blas, known officially as Guna Yala, is an autonomous indigenous territory on Panama's Caribbean coast. Its 365 islands range from uninhabited sandbars ringed by turquoise water to traditional Guna communities where life has changed little in centuries. The water clarity is exceptional year-round: visibility of 15–30 metres is common, coral reefs are pristine, and the protected waters inside the reef make sailing calm and predictable.

Because the territory is governed by the Guna people rather than by Panama, development is tightly controlled. There are no high-rise hotels, no cruise ship piers, and no mass tourism. A private charter is the only way to explore freely, anchoring in deserted coves, snorkeling untouched reefs, and waking up to an island that belongs only to you.

AMPA Tours has operated charters in San Blas since 2023. Our fleet covers every budget, from sailboats at $500 a night for 2 guests to 62-foot catamarans with air conditioning. Most boats are chartered privately by your group; a few also sell single cabins on a shared trip. Every charter includes captain and crew, meals, drinks, and gear.

Common Questions

What is included in the charter price?

The crew (a captain and a cook on every catamaran; on some sailboats the captain also cooks), three fresh meals daily (breakfast, lunch and dinner), drinks with and without alcohol in moderation, snacks, snorkeling masks and fins, and all fuel. Most boats also have Starlink satellite WiFi. Paid separately: transport from Panama City (a private 4x4 with a shared water taxi from $580 round trip for 2, or $140 per person round trip, shared) and the Guna Yala tax ($22 per tourist, $7 per Panama resident, in cash at the Nusagandi checkpoint).

What is the minimum number of nights?

The minimum charter is 2 nights. Most guests book 4–7 nights to properly explore the archipelago. We recommend at least 5 nights. With less time you spend most of it travelling rather than anchoring and exploring.

How do we get to the boat?

Your boat waits for you in the islands. On the first day a 4x4 collects you at your Panama City hotel early in the morning and drives 2.5 to 3 hours over the mountains to the port on the Caribbean coast; the last stretch is steep, winding and unpaved. A water taxi then takes you to the boat in 20 to 60 minutes, depending on where it is anchored. A private 4x4 for your group (the water taxi is shared) is from $580 round trip for 2, or a shared 4x4 is $140 per person round trip. On the last day the water taxi collects you early, about 6:20 to 8:00 AM depending on the anchorage, and you are back in Panama City around 12:00 to 1:00 PM.

Can we customize the route?

Absolutely. Your captain will plan a route based on your preferences, group size, weather, and wind. You tell us which islands interest you most (Coco Bandero, Pelicano, the Holandeses, Dog Island) and the captain builds around that. Flexibility is one of the biggest advantages of a private charter over a fixed tour.

Is seasickness common in San Blas?

San Blas is largely protected by a barrier reef, so conditions are calmer than open ocean sailing. Most passages between island groups take 30–90 minutes. Catamarans are more stable than monohulls. We recommend taking seasickness medication before departure if you are at all sensitive. It is far easier to prevent than to treat.

Can children come on a charter?

Yes, and many families choose catamarans specifically because of their stability and spacious decks. Life jackets in all sizes are on board. Children generally love the experience: snorkeling, fishing from the deck, and sleeping to the sound of the water. Let us know ages when booking so the crew can prepare accordingly.

What should we pack?

Light clothing and swimwear for the days, a light layer for evenings on the water, reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent for island shore stops, a small dry bag for electronics, seasickness tablets, and any prescription medication. The boats have storage space but it is limited; one soft bag per person is ideal.

Can we go fishing?

Yes. Fishing is part of the experience on every charter, and the crew often joins in. Any fresh catch can be prepared by the crew as part of a meal. We cannot promise a catch.

Is there WiFi on board?

Most of our boats have Starlink satellite internet, and we confirm it for the boat you choose. Where it is on board, the signal is reliable at most anchorages and fast enough for calls and streaming. Coverage may vary at the most remote island groups.

What is the cancellation policy?

Your deposit holds the boat and is non-refundable. Cancel 30 or more days before departure and we refund everything above the deposit, minus card or bank fees. Cancel 15 to 29 days before and 50% of the total is kept. Inside 14 days, or a no-show, the full amount is kept. Bookings over New Year (December 20 to January 10), Carnival and Holy Week are non-refundable once confirmed. Date changes are free 30 or more days before departure, subject to availability. If the forecast is poor, we move your dates free of charge as long as the boat is free on the new dates, and if the captain cancels because conditions are unsafe and no new date suits you, you get 100% back.

How much does a private charter cost?

From $250 per person per night for 2 guests on a sailboat, $450 on a catamaran and $725 on a catamaran with air conditioning. For example, 3 nights for 2 start at $1,500 on a sailboat, $2,700 on a catamaran and $4,350 on a catamaran with A/C, all-inclusive on board. On most boats each extra guest lowers the price per person. Every boat has its own page with the exact total for 3, 5 and 7 nights.

Catamaran or sailboat: which should we choose?

A catamaran is more stable at anchor and has more deck space, so it suits families, larger groups and anyone sensitive to seasickness. A sailboat (monohull) costs less and gives a more traditional sailing feel. Air conditioning is only on our luxury catamarans.

Can we book a single cabin instead of the whole boat?

Yes, on a few boats. The Lagoon 52-G is sold by the cabin, from $280 per person a night, and some other boats offer a cabin on a shared trip when the dates line up. Send us your dates and we tell you what is available.

How many guests fit on one boat?

From 2 guests on the smallest sailboat to 12 on the largest catamarans, such as the Ipanema 58. Each boat page shows its own maximum.

What is paid separately?

Two things. The Guna Yala entry tax, $22 per tourist or $7 per Panamanian resident, paid in cash at the Nusagandi checkpoint (children under 9 are exempt). And ground transport from Panama City: a private 4x4 with a shared water taxi from $580 round trip for 2, or $140 per person round trip by shared 4x4 and water taxi.

How do deposits and payment work?

A 50% deposit confirms your dates and vessel, or 30% when the total exceeds $19,000. The balance is due 30 days before your charter starts. We accept bank transfer and credit card.

Is there a high-season surcharge?

Yes. Charters over New Year (Dec 20 to Jan 10), Carnival week and Holy Week carry a 20% surcharge, and most boats ask a 5-night minimum in those windows. Carnival and Holy Week follow each year's calendar, and we confirm the exact dates with the boat when we quote. Holiday rates are firm.

How fast can we get a quote?

Within 2 hours on WhatsApp during Panama business hours, 7 AM to 8 PM. Tell us your dates, group size, and how many nights, and we reply with exact boats and exact totals.

How Booking Works

Three steps to your boat

Send your dates
Tell us your dates, group size and budget on WhatsApp. We reply with the boats that are free and exact totals, usually within two hours.
Confirm with a deposit
50% of the total holds your boat, or 30% when the total is above $19,000. Pay by card (+7%) or bank transfer to Banco General (an international wire adds $37.45).
Pay the balance and pack
For bookings made 30 or more days ahead, the balance is due 30 days before you sail. Once you have paid, we send your trip guide with the schedule and what to pack, and the day before we confirm your exact pickup time.

Send Your Dates on WhatsApp

Ready to plan your trip?

Tell us your dates, group size, and interests. We will put together a custom itinerary within two hours.

WhatsApp Us

We respond within 2 hours

San Blas Catamaran & Sailing Charters

What a San Blas charter costs

Luxury Catamarans

Lagoon 42

ELBA 45

Leopard 40

Salina 48

Leopard 50

Lagoon 57-N

Lagoon 56

Ipanema 58

SUNREEF 62

Lagoon 450

Classic Catamarans

Lagoon 37

Lagoon S2 40

Fontaine Pajot 41

Fountaine Pajot Belize 43

Lagoon 44-Y

Lagoon 57-F

Lagoon 57-C

Lagoon 52-G

Lagoon 55

Monohull Sailboats

Pouvreau Sillage 39

Bavaria 35

Beneteau Idylle 44

Beneteau Oceanis 473

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45.2

Why San Blas is made for private sailing

Three steps to your boat

Ready to plan your trip?