Golden sandy islands surrounded by turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Palm trees swaying in the ocean breeze. If this sounds like paradise to you, it sounds like San Blas to us. This spot is quickly becoming a popular tourist site and once you see the idyllic islands, you’ll understand why.
The San Blas Islands are just off the coast of Panama in the Caribbean Sea. They are in the province of Guna Yala which is the Guna people`s ancestral land. The Guna people rule this territory with minimal input from the Panamanian government. The islands are now officially named Guna Yala, but everyone still calls them San Blas, so that’s how we’ve referred to them.
The drive from Panama City crosses the isthmus of Panama from the Pacific to the Caribbean coast. In the middle we crossed a small mountain range that is surrounded by a cloud forest. The steamy clouds and green vegetation makes it a picturesque drive. Once at the port village of Carti on the Golfo de Guna Yala, water taxis are waiting. Our boat went through a shallow lagoon-style river until we reached the sea.
The boat ride to our island paradise passed three islands that house Guna Yala villages. These islands were depressing. Dilapidated shacks were crammed on to every square inch of these islands. Garbage was strewn along the shores and porches. It was a reminder that not everyone in Guna Yala lives in paradise.
Soon after passing these villages, gorgeous sandy islands started coming into view. There are over 350 islands and islets in San Blas. Most islands are very small, and many are uninhabited. At times on our boat trip we could see half a dozen islands in each direction. It was unbelievable to have so many sandy islands in a small area.
We stayed on the island of Yani. The island is encircled by golden sand and appeared to be held together by the 200 or so coconut trees spread across its interior. There’s not much to do on the island, but relax and enjoy the ocean view. The accommodations on most San Blas Islands are very basic, but the views more than make up for it.
Further east from Yani is the last group of islands before Colombia. Cayos Holandeses are a remote group of San Blas islands that are much less visited by tourists. We took a boat ride to visit these special islands and spent a few hours on the idyllic Tortuga Island. It has a lovely beach and crystal-clear water that is great for snorkeling. There are a few homes on the island owned by the family who lives on Tortuga. We went for a slow walk around the island, it took about 10 minutes.
As a part of our hotel package, we had an afternoon boat tour of the surrounding area. We snorkeled at a spot where starfish are known to live and found a group of 4 large colourful starfish. We also visited two other islands close to Yani that house busy resorts, Perro Chico and Chichime. They were nice, but there was a lot more garbage on them than on our little island. They also had more hotels and seemed less idyllic.
In the water in front of Perro Chico is a sunken ship covered in coral. There are quite a few colourful reef fish so its a great place to snorkel. After seeing these other islands we were very happy to return to our paradise on Yani.
Getting to San Blas Islands
Technically it is possible to get to San Blas on your own, but it would be very difficult. Between the various boat taxis leaving from different docks, and the number of hotels with varying levels of comfort, we found it was just as affordable and far easier to use a travel agency. We booked through San Blas Dreams and were very pleased with their service and the island accommodation they offered. They provide transportation including hotel pick up from Panama City, island recommendations and manage the reservation. Take your passport as the autonomous Guna Yala region requires passports to enter.
Accommodation on most San Blas islands is very basic. Most rooms are in small wooden huts with either sand or wood floors and cots for sleeping. There may be electricity at night and you may get cell reception, but not all of the islands are the same. There is no air-conditioning, but the sea breeze keeps you cool. All meals are included and we found them to be filling, but others complained that the meals weren`t large enough. Considering how basic accommodations are, it is very expensive. But it’s such a beautiful and unique place, we’re very glad we went.
Coming Next: Beaches of Bocas del Toro and Waterfalls in Boquete
For extra pictures from Panama click here. For pictures from our other blogs go to Gallery at monkeystale.ca
To read about more of our adventures go to Destinations.
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Monkey's Tale 
Masterpiece , once again thnx for share
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Thanks for your kind words!
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What a great post! Again!! 🙂 I’d not heard of these island before and I’m envious that youve managed to get to stay there before the concrete and McDs!!!
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Thanks! Luckily the Guna Yala people have control of the islands and hopefully will never let it become a commercialized centre.
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Looks a bit nicer than the cold of Alberta
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Haha and we’ll be back in the cold soon!
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Are you really going to stop traveling for a few days?! Hard to believe
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Wow! It certainly looks like a paradise!
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It’s beautiful, although rustic so not everyone’s paradise!
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Wow, I’m in love with Yani Island! Those are the most perfect palm trees I’ve ever seen. I wouldn’t mind relaxing in such a beautiful place! Loving your adventures and I look forward to your next blog post! Aiva 😊
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Thanks Aiva. The islands are really incredible and Yani was one of the nicest. It was a great place to relax. Thanks for reading!
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Thank you for sharing
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I’m surprised to see the two of you in hammocks. You’re usually trekking along demanding paths. Glad you got a break, but it looks like a place I’d give a miss, due to the pollution and seemingly obvious global warming end for them.
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Haha yes we don’t often rest! They are actually concerned about losing their islands and have started to build communities on the mainland. Our island was very clean, but it was hard to see so much pollution on the others.
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Wow, that really does look like the stereotypical paradise island. Amazing!
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I had high hopes of meeting a sailing friend in the San Blas islands this winter, but our calendars did not match up at the end, and she encountered pretty crummy weather there. Looks like you were just a bit later and were able to enjoy much clearer days.
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Too bad, we were there in January. It rained one night but other than that the weather was perfect.
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I can hardly keep up with your travels from here at home. I heard about the San Blas islands when I blew through Panama in 1974. Sounds like an authentic native American experience, wish I had gone, but I chose Guatemala instead.
Know that many of us are enjoying your adventure.
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I bet in 74 they were even more rustic! It was as close to authentic as I think you can get now. Your experience really depends on the island you’re on I think. Some of them were awful, overcrowded and polluted, but ours was gorgeous. Maybe Guatemala will be on our next trip, we keep hearing good things about it. Thanks for the kind words!
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The mayan villages all around lake Atitlan have their own tradional weaving , they dont speak spanish and t hey celebrate easter by stuffing whiskey and cigars into the mouth of local god maximon. They drink and dancefor several nigthts then move maximon to a new home.
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Sounds like we’ll go at Easter!!
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Beautiful Islands, a real desert Island hideaway😀
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It’s unbelievable that places like this do exist!
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The past few weeks have been a bit chaotic for us and I’ve been dreaming of the sea. Your post took me there! The underwater world is so beautiful. And the two of you look so happy! It made my day here in a gloomy Seoul!
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Glad we brought sunshine to your day😊
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Wow this is so dreamy
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The islands are really amazing!! Thanks for reading!
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Wonderful photography! Great writing. Thank you and safe travels.
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Thank you Suzette. It’s a gorgeous area to photograph!
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I think that San Blas is really a beautiful place to have your self-relaxed and just get lost in the beauty of the islands.! Your photos are gorgeous!
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Thank you, it was so nice to just do nothing and be able to enjoy the beauty. Thanks for your comments. Maggie
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The San Blas Islands are a very magical place. Hopefully, the sea level rise will not completely cover them all.
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I know, we wondered that when we were there too. Apparently the community has started making plans to build on the mainland.
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Gorgeous place but I appreciate that you also showed that “not everyone lives in paradise.” A friend of mine recently directed me to an outfitter that runs kayaking trips there. It’s a tad on the expensive side but looks amazing.
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San Blas is definitely over priced, but the locals have market control and people still go. I’d have to look into the kayak trip. Between islands it would be great, but not from mainland, the islands are very far. And the ocean can be rough in places.
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Thanks for the tips. I’ve read that it can be quite windy. More research needed!
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It is very windy. We didn’t need AC because the wind blew through the holes in the walls and kept us cool! And it was a brand new building…it is rustic!
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Jealous!😂
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😊😊 So am I actually because now we’re home in a Canadian winter!
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That looks divine! Wish i could be there right now 🙂
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It’s the closest thing to paradise that we have found.
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