General Information
The trip is around 5 days in total. Three days are spent island hopping around the San Blas Islands and two days at open sea. The length of the trip and the islands you visit will depend on weather conditions and the departure/arrival point of the trip.
From Colombia most of the boats depart in the late afternoon/evening of the first day and end the morning of the sixth. There are a couple boats that end the afternoon of the fifth day.
From Panama, boats that depart from El Porvenir start their trip in the morning of the first day and end in Cartagena on the fifth day (though it could be the sixth depending on the seas). Those departing from Puerto Lindo or Portobello usually depart in the evening of the first day and end in Cartagena on the sixth day but again arrival can be affected by the sea, wind and current.
From Colombia most of the boats depart in the late afternoon/evening of the first day and end the morning of the sixth. There are a couple boats that end the afternoon of the fifth day.
From Panama, boats that depart from El Porvenir start their trip in the morning of the first day and end in Cartagena on the fifth day (though it could be the sixth depending on the seas). Those departing from Puerto Lindo or Portobello usually depart in the evening of the first day and end in Cartagena on the sixth day but again arrival can be affected by the sea, wind and current.
Reservations&Payments
The price of the trip is set by the captains of each boat and are the same no matter where you book.
The trip costs between 450 and 650 USD per person. Most boats charge 550 USD per person. Prices may vary from boat to boat and seasonally. Please contact us for exact prices.
You can book directly with us in our office in Panama City or via email with payment credit card.
And unlike some people seem to think, YOU DON’T PAY MORE BY BOOKING THROUGH US, but you do get a more immediate response.
We have direct access to all the captains and owners of these boats and can confirm your places quickly.
We don’t confirm your booking unless it's been confirmed by the captain. Unlike other booking agencies we usually won’t ask you to pay a deposit UNTIL the captain has confirmed the booking.
The trip costs between 450 and 650 USD per person. Most boats charge 550 USD per person. Prices may vary from boat to boat and seasonally. Please contact us for exact prices.
You can book directly with us in our office in Panama City or via email with payment credit card.
And unlike some people seem to think, YOU DON’T PAY MORE BY BOOKING THROUGH US, but you do get a more immediate response.
We have direct access to all the captains and owners of these boats and can confirm your places quickly.
We don’t confirm your booking unless it's been confirmed by the captain. Unlike other booking agencies we usually won’t ask you to pay a deposit UNTIL the captain has confirmed the booking.
What is the Included
- All meals, drinking water, tea and coffee
- Accommodation on the boat
- Snorkeling gear
- Fishing equipment is available on most boats. Scuba diving and spearfishing is prohibited in Kuna Yala
- All boats are equipped with proper safety gear, life jackets, emergency life raft, multiple navigation devices (electronic and manual), VHF radio, SAT line and GPS spot device.
- All paperwork and standard immigration fees.
Not Included
- Kuna Yala Congresso entrance tax $20USD per person
- Transport to/from arrival and departure port
- Alcoholic drinks, mixers, and snacks
- Entry visa/fees
Guna Yala Entrance Tax
The Kuna Yala Congresso charge an entrance fee of 20 USD per person. This applies to anyone entering by boat, land or plane.
For passengers boarding a boat from El Porvenir, the fee will be collected at a checkpoint on the road to the coast before you arrive to the speedboat transfer dock.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT YOU COLLECT A RECEIPT
For boats departing from Puerto Lindo/Portobello, your captain will collect the payments on the boat and pay at the local immigration office at the same time as completing immigration.
THERE IS NO 100 USD ENTRANCE TAX FOR PANAMA
For passengers boarding a boat from El Porvenir, the fee will be collected at a checkpoint on the road to the coast before you arrive to the speedboat transfer dock.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT YOU COLLECT A RECEIPT
For boats departing from Puerto Lindo/Portobello, your captain will collect the payments on the boat and pay at the local immigration office at the same time as completing immigration.
THERE IS NO 100 USD ENTRANCE TAX FOR PANAMA
Departure Points
From Colombia
The starting point is from the port of Cartagena (5-10 minute taxi ride from the center of town and should cost 6-8 mil pesos).
Every once in a while (especially during rough season) some boats may depart from Sapzurro on the border of Panama in the Darien.
Every once in a while (especially during rough season) some boats may depart from Sapzurro on the border of Panama in the Darien.
From Panama
Puerto Lindo/Portobello are where port captain and immigration are and an easy place to start the trip. Both are small seaside towns on the Caribbean coast of Panama, a short 20 minute drive from each other. To arrive there from Panama City you can take local buses which take 3-5 hours or we will arrange a shuttle van which takes around 2 hours and costs 25 USD per person.
Remember
We want to remind you as prospective passengers that when traveling by sailboat you need to be flexible. The ocean and wind are unpredictable and captains reserve the right to change the departure date due to bad weather or for mechanical issues if necessary. If you are considering this trip but are concerned with a tight connecting flight, please inform us and we will work with you to the extent of our abilities, but you may want to consider other arrangements.
The trip is not a luxury tour, nor is it a guided tour. The main responsibility of your captain is to get you safely from departure to arrival point, but along with the crew will provide the tools for you to make the most of your trip.
Everyone normally helps out with cooking and cleaning and on some boats passengers will also be asked (not forced) to help out with night watch. A helping hand is always appreciated.
The trip is not a luxury tour, nor is it a guided tour. The main responsibility of your captain is to get you safely from departure to arrival point, but along with the crew will provide the tools for you to make the most of your trip.
Everyone normally helps out with cooking and cleaning and on some boats passengers will also be asked (not forced) to help out with night watch. A helping hand is always appreciated.
Windy Season
Windy season is from mid-November to April. During this time the wind may be blowing strongly and seas can be rough, boats may alter their routes and navigate closer to the coast. At other times of year there may not be sufficient wind and boats may need to rely on the motor. Believe us the captains would rather sail but it simply depends on the wind. Safety and comfort of the passengers and boat is of utmost importance.
Cancellations
For most part, the boats depart and arrive on time. In the rare case that your trip is delayed due to bad weather conditions, mechanical issues, immigration, sickness of crew or other miscellaneous events, we will inform with as much anticipation as possible.
If your trip is delayed, it should not be more than 1 or 2 days. Please be flexible with onward travel plans in case the schedule of your trip is revised. The trip will go ahead with the new departure and arrival date, you will still receive the full trip. There are no refunds of deposits or compensation for delays less than 24 hours. If the delay is more than 24 hours, you will have the opportunity to cancel your reservation with a full refund of any pre-paid deposit.
If you decide to cancel your reservation for any reason, please let us know with as much notice as possible. The deposit is non-refundable. If you need to change your trip to a later date, we can transfer the deposit up until four weeks before the date of your original booking.
If your trip is delayed, it should not be more than 1 or 2 days. Please be flexible with onward travel plans in case the schedule of your trip is revised. The trip will go ahead with the new departure and arrival date, you will still receive the full trip. There are no refunds of deposits or compensation for delays less than 24 hours. If the delay is more than 24 hours, you will have the opportunity to cancel your reservation with a full refund of any pre-paid deposit.
If you decide to cancel your reservation for any reason, please let us know with as much notice as possible. The deposit is non-refundable. If you need to change your trip to a later date, we can transfer the deposit up until four weeks before the date of your original booking.
Terms & Conditions
Please remember that the captains reserve the right to change or refuse passage at their discretion to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers.
We are a booking agency and DO NOT own the boats that we work with. Once you have boarded the boat it is then your captain’s responsibility to carry on the level of service that we pride ourselves on.
We are not responsible for weather conditions, actions by government employees, civil disobedience, acts of God or other random events that may occur. We do our best to work around/avoid these events and will keep you informed of any changes that may occur to your trip.
We are not responsible for lost or damaged items. All passengers should have travelers insurance prior to the trip.
Adventure travel has inherent risk involved. By booking and paying for your trip you are accepting said risk and San Blas Dreams will not be held liable.
We are a booking agency and DO NOT own the boats that we work with. Once you have boarded the boat it is then your captain’s responsibility to carry on the level of service that we pride ourselves on.
We are not responsible for weather conditions, actions by government employees, civil disobedience, acts of God or other random events that may occur. We do our best to work around/avoid these events and will keep you informed of any changes that may occur to your trip.
We are not responsible for lost or damaged items. All passengers should have travelers insurance prior to the trip.
Adventure travel has inherent risk involved. By booking and paying for your trip you are accepting said risk and San Blas Dreams will not be held liable.