A LUXURY VACATION TO THE SAN BLAS ISLANDS
An archipelago of idyllic, mostly-uninhabited islands in the Caribbean Sea with swishing palms and white sand beaches, the San Blas Islands are utter paradise.
Stretching along 390 km of Panama’s Caribbean coastline, the archipelago is home to more than 300 spectacular islands. It is governed by the Indigenous Guna people, who live here and play a central role in protecting the islands’ natural environment and cultural heritage.
The San Blas Islands can be visited on a day trip from Panama City, or by overnighting in a simple island hut, but our favourite way to explore is island-hopping aboard a private catamaran: snorkelling over pristine coral reefs, swimming in warm blue-green waters, and picnicking on secluded sands.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO ON THE SAN BLAS ISLANDS
Enjoying the unspoilt natural beauty of the archipelago is the main event.
Explore secluded coves by paddleboard or kayak, swim in warm Caribbean waters, snorkel above coral reefs, and wade across sandbanks looking for starfish in the shallows. Fishing trips can also be arranged for those looking to spend time out on the water.
Visit the Guna in their local communities where you will learn about their customs and traditions. The Guna people are known throughout the world for their intricate hand-made textiles, known as molas, which you can watch being made and buy directly from the women who create them.
To protect the ancestral lands, large-scale tourism development on the islands is prohibited, and there are no luxury hotels. Instead, travel is typically by luxury catamaran or yacht, hopping between the islands. For those short on time, we can arrange day trips by helicopter from Panama City, offering a striking aerial perspective of the archipelago before landing among the islands.
ELSEWHERE IN Panama
Panama sits at the crossroads of North and South America, and boasts lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and the engineering marvel that is the Panama Canal. Cultural and ecological diversity beckon.
Field Notes
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