San Blas Islands FAQ

Costs depend on the type of experience:

• Full day tour: $148 per person. Includes transport, 3 islands, fresh seafood lunch, 1 non-alcoholic drink, and Kuna taxes.
• Shared 4×4 transport (round trip): $135 per person. Kuna taxes ($22 per person cash) paid separately at the Guna Yala border.
• Private catamaran charters: Vary by boat and group size. All-inclusive packages from $500 per person per day. Contact us for a tailored quote.

The main route is by shared 4×4 Jeep, picking you up from your Panama City hotel between 5:00 and 5:30am. The drive takes approximately 3 to 4 hours along the Llano-Carti mountain road through the Serranía de San Blas range. From Port Tupile Dibin on the Caribbean coast, a water taxi takes you out to the islands or your catamaran. Total journey time from hotel to islands: around 2.5 to 3 hours once on the water.

A charter flight from Albrook Airport (Panama City) is the faster alternative, around 25 to 30 minutes, but costs more and has strict luggage limits of 10 to 15kg per person.

All AMPA Tours private catamaran charters include: alcohol (unlimited on-board bar), snorkeling gear and fins, fresh lobster when in season (purchased from Guna fishermen), Starlink satellite internet, all meals prepared by your onboard chef, and snacks and non-alcoholic drinks throughout. Note: transport from Panama City to the sailboat is a separate AMPA service and is not included in the charter rate by default. Ask when booking to add round-trip 4×4 transfers.

Yes. You must carry your original passport. Photocopies are not accepted at the Guna Yala border checkpoint. Every visitor passes through this checkpoint on the mountain road, and Guna authorities enforce the rule strictly. Leave your passport in your hotel safe? You will be turned back. Bring the original.

Shared 4×4 transfers allow 1 soft bag plus 1 backpack or carry-on, with a maximum combined weight of 13kg. Hard-sided 23kg suitcases do not fit in the jeeps and will not be accepted. Pack in a soft duffel bag or backpack. Private 4×4 transfers allow more flexibility but soft bags are still strongly recommended for comfort. Once aboard a catamaran, space in cabins is limited, so packing light is always the right call.

The Kuna Yala (Guna Yala) territory charges a visitor entrance fee of $22 per person, paid in cash at the border checkpoint on the mountain road. This is collected by Guna authorities, not by tour operators, and is not included in any tour or transport price. Bring exact change in USD bills. There are no ATMs in San Blas, so carry all the cash you need before leaving Panama City.

Sometimes, but availability is not guaranteed, especially in peak season (December to April) when catamarans and jeep spots fill weeks in advance. For the best chance of a last-minute spot, contact us directly via WhatsApp at +507 6027-0607. We can often confirm availability within an hour and will always give you an honest answer rather than a booking you will later regret.

Standard pickup is between 5:00 and 5:30am from your Panama City hotel. In high season (December to March), pickup may be as early as 4:30am to reach the Nusagandi checkpoint before it closes. We confirm your exact pickup time and driver details the evening before departure. Set your alarm, the jeep will not wait.

The dry season from December to April offers the best sailing conditions, clearest water, and most reliable sunshine. February and March are the peak months, with consistent trade winds and exceptional snorkeling visibility. The wet season from May to November brings more rain and occasionally rougher seas, but the islands remain open and beautiful, prices are lower, and you will often have entire anchorages to yourself. Avoid September and October for first-time visitors as seas can be rough. San Blas sits south of the hurricane belt, so it is never in the direct path of Atlantic storms.

Yes. Guna Yala is an autonomous indigenous territory governed by the Guna people, who maintain strict control over who enters and what happens on their islands. Crime against tourists is extremely rare. The waters are protected from Atlantic swells by the reef structure and are calm in most anchorages. The jeep road is safe when driven by an experienced local driver in a proper 4×4. AMPA Tours works exclusively with established, vetted drivers and captains. Thousands of visitors travel to San Blas every year without incident.