Welcome to Pelicano Island (Isla Gorgidub), the San Blas island made famous by Netflix's Money Heist Season 3. Just 45 minutes off the Caribbean coast, this stunning island offers white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and the chance to truly disconnect. Whether you choose a social dorm or a private ensuite cabin, Pelicano delivers a cinematic Caribbean escape with paddleboards, snorkeling, and fresh seafood included. Pelicano is also the only island stay where guests can add an optional full-day tour to the Cayos Holandeses, the most exclusive anchorage in San Blas, with snorkeling, a sand bank visit, and lunch on the boat.
Island Stays
Pelicano Island (Isla Gorgidub)
The San Blas island made famous by Money Heist - Season 3
From $200 per person for one night (per-night rate drops on longer stays)
Region
Pelicano, San Blas
Access
45-60 min boat ride
Stay Type
Dorms and Cabins
From
$200 / 1 night
The Experience
Choose Your Stay
Accommodation Options
Shared Dorm with External Bathroom
Dorm-style rooms housing 4-6 guests with sand floors and bathrooms located outside. Shared facilities include 3 toilets and 3 showers. Phones can be charged at any time, day or night, on solar power. Great for solo travelers and groups looking to connect.
Prices per person
1 Night (3 meals)
$200
2 Nights (6 meals)
$290
3 Nights (9 meals)
$385
Each additional night: +$95 per person (includes 3 meals)
Sand floors
Shared bathrooms
Phone charging 24h (solar)
Paddleboard access
Book This Stay
Private Room with Shared External Bathroom
Comfortable private cabins with sand floors for 2 or more guests. Bathrooms are shared and located outside the room, with 3 toilets and 3 showers. Phones can be charged at any time, day or night, on solar power. Ideal for couples or friends wanting privacy without a premium price.
Prices per person
Min 2 people
1 Night (3 meals)
$215
2 Nights (6 meals)
$320
3 Nights (9 meals)
$430
Each additional night: +$110 per person (includes 3 meals)
Private room
Sand floors
Shared bathrooms
Phone charging 24h (solar)
Book This Stay
Private Cabin with Shared External Bathroom
Cozy private wooden cabins perfect for couples or small groups. Bathrooms are shared outside with 3 toilets and 3 showers. Phones can be charged at any time, day or night, on solar power. A step up in comfort and seclusion while keeping the barefoot island feel.
Prices per person
Min 2 people
1 Night (3 meals)
$215
2 Nights (6 meals)
$320
3 Nights (9 meals)
$430
Each additional night: +$110 per person (includes 3 meals)
Private cabin
Wooden construction
Shared bathrooms
Phone charging 24h (solar)
Book This Stay
Private Cabin with Private Ensuite Bathroom
Four private wooden cabins, each with its own ensuite bathroom inside. The best privacy option on Pelicano Island. Phones can be charged at any time, day or night, on solar power. Perfect for those who want to experience the famous island without compromising on comfort.
Prices per person
Min 2 people
1 Night (3 meals)
$230
2 Nights (6 meals)
$345
3 Nights (9 meals)
$465
Each additional night: +$120 per person (includes 3 meals)
Private cabin
Private ensuite bathroom
Wooden construction
Phone charging 24h (solar)
Book This Stay
Every Stay Includes
- Round-trip 4x4 transport from Panama City
- Round-trip boat transfer to the island
- Accommodation in chosen cabin type
- Three meals daily (fresh seafood, chicken, coconut rice)
- Paddleboard access at no extra cost
- Snorkeling around the island reef
- Snorkel gear on loan (you sign for it; USD 20 if lost or damaged)
Not Included
- Guna Yala entry tax, paid in cash at the Nusagandi checkpoint: $22 per tourist, $7 per Panamanian resident with proof of residency (includes the $2 port fee; children under 9 are exempt from the entry fee)
- All drinks, including with meals (beer, water and sodas from $2, cash)
- Late checkout fee ($35 per person, includes lunch and the 3:00 PM boat)
Before You Go
Departure & Transfers
Departure
Pickup at 5:00-5:30 AM from your Panama City hotel or Airbnb (about 4:30 AM in December and January). 2.5-3 hour 4x4 drive through the mountains to the San Blas port.
Boat Transfer
45-60 minute scenic boat ride from the port through the San Blas archipelago to Pelicano Island (Isla Gorgidub).
Return
The island runs exactly two boat departures a day, 7:30 AM and 3:00 PM, and both leave sharp. On the 7:30 AM boat you are back in Panama City between 12:00 and 1:00 PM. Late checkout ($35 per person, includes lunch) puts you on the 3:00 PM boat, reaching Panama City in the evening, roughly 8:30 PM. That evening figure is an estimate and not a guarantee, because road conditions vary. Plan nothing for that night.
- 4x4 pickup included from central Panama City (hotel, hostel, or Airbnb)
- Extra fees apply for pickup/drop-off outside downtown: Playa Bonita $35, Summit $20, Amador $10
- Meeting point will be arranged if your accommodation is in an outlying area
Common Questions
FAQ
Pelicano Island (Isla Gorgidub) was featured in Netflix's Money Heist Season 3 as a filming location, making it one of the most recognized islands in San Blas. Its stunning white sand, turquoise water, and palm trees are exactly as you see on screen.
Yes, and Pelicano is the only AMPA island stay where this is possible. For an additional $100 per person, you can add an optional Cayos Holandeses Day Tour: a full-day boat excursion to the most exclusive zone in San Blas, with crystal-clear water, world-class snorkeling, a stop on a sand bank, and lunch on the boat. Combined with the standard Pelicano excursion to nearby islands, a 2-night stay can deliver two full activity days. This add-on is not available from any other island stay.
Pelicano Island has four accommodation options: shared dorms (4-6 guests, great for solo travelers), private rooms with shared bathrooms, private cabins with shared bathrooms, and private cabins with ensuite bathrooms. Prices start at $200 per person for the first night including meals, and the per-night rate drops on longer stays.
Three meals per day are included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Expect fresh catch of the day (fish or chicken), coconut rice, salad, and tropical fruit. Lobster is an optional extra at an additional cost. Drinks are not included with meals, not even drinking water; coffee at breakfast is typical. You can buy beer, water and sodas on the island (from $2, cash only), so bring small bills and a refillable bottle.
The cabins run on solar power, and you can charge your phone at any time, day or night. There is limited or no phone signal and no WiFi.
Bring your original passport, cash in USD (no ATMs in San Blas), a soft bag only (max 13 kg as hard-shell suitcases don't fit in the 4x4), reef-safe sunscreen, motion sickness pills for the boat ride, and a sense of adventure. Leave large luggage at your Panama City hotel.
Pelicano Island is 115 km from Panama City, taking 2.5-3 hours by 4x4 through the mountains, followed by a 45-60 minute boat ride. Total travel time is approximately 3.5-4 hours each way. Pickup is at 5:00-5:30 AM (about 4:30 AM in December and January) so you arrive in time to enjoy the full day.
Trusted by Travelers
Incredible experience sailing through San Blas with AMPA Tours. The catamaran was beautiful, the crew was professional, and the islands were paradise. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Panama.
Allan Y. , TripAdvisor
Ready to experience Pelicano Island (Isla Gorgidub)?
Tell us your dates, group size, and interests. We will put together a custom itinerary within two hours.
We respond within 2 hours