TRAVEL DETAILS
NAVIGATION
This tour includes 30 to 50 hours of navigation in the open sea between San Blas and Cartagena, and if you depart from Puerto Lindo or Portobello then there would be additionally 7 to 10 hours more
All of these boats rely directly on the wind, but they also have an engine in case there’s no wind, if the current of the wind is against your direction, the trip might take a little longer, therefore we strongly recommend you to have a flexible schedule . Please have some patience with the captain and allow him to take the most proper routes to complete your trip, they will always take utmost priority for your comfort and safety.
Once you are already sailing on the open sea, the boat won’t stop until reaching your destination point. This would be the perfect time to read a book, have a conversation, and with some luck seeing some dolphins swimming along with the boat. It will be up to the sea condition if you will be able to move around the deck freely, but once the sun goes down the captain will restrict the access to the deck for all passengers’ safety.
The hatches will remain closed while you’re navigating through open sea by the captain’s command, this could cause the cabins to get stuffy but please it is imperative you listen to your captain and understand that his or her rules are there thinking about your safety.
If you suffer from sea sickness, feel free to take with you pills against sea sickness since they do indeed prevent it. This is very common to feel especially if you not used to sailing open waters, and some people might feel it more than others, but if it happens to you, just try to get some fresh air, lie on your back and drink lots of water, you should be feeling much better while visiting the islands in San Blas.
All of these boats rely directly on the wind, but they also have an engine in case there’s no wind, if the current of the wind is against your direction, the trip might take a little longer, therefore we strongly recommend you to have a flexible schedule . Please have some patience with the captain and allow him to take the most proper routes to complete your trip, they will always take utmost priority for your comfort and safety.
Once you are already sailing on the open sea, the boat won’t stop until reaching your destination point. This would be the perfect time to read a book, have a conversation, and with some luck seeing some dolphins swimming along with the boat. It will be up to the sea condition if you will be able to move around the deck freely, but once the sun goes down the captain will restrict the access to the deck for all passengers’ safety.
The hatches will remain closed while you’re navigating through open sea by the captain’s command, this could cause the cabins to get stuffy but please it is imperative you listen to your captain and understand that his or her rules are there thinking about your safety.
If you suffer from sea sickness, feel free to take with you pills against sea sickness since they do indeed prevent it. This is very common to feel especially if you not used to sailing open waters, and some people might feel it more than others, but if it happens to you, just try to get some fresh air, lie on your back and drink lots of water, you should be feeling much better while visiting the islands in San Blas.
FOOD
Three meals a day are included with this tour, and they usually offer very good food within the idea of a sailing boat, therefore do not expect a 5 stars meal that you would only find in a fancy restaurant. Once the crossing on the open water starts the food is likely to be simpler like sandwiches, salads or soups. While in the islands the crew will be able to offer a variety of dishes like dress seafood if it’s caught. There is a certain season of the year where lobster and fish fishing is forbidden for breeding purposes, therefore the captain might refuse the choice of buying undersized lobster if they’re available.
If you have a special diet, or if you’re vegetarian, vegan, celiac or have allergies, the crew will do their best to accommodate your needs, but only if you have been able to informed them beforehand once you make your reservation to your tri, and still it might be a little difficult sometimes to find gluten free and vegan alternative, so we encourage you to bring some extra snacks with you just in case.
Please keep in mind that in the special case of an allergy, you need to inform us in order to forward this information to the captain and let them be prepared to accommodate you.
Meals are always served at scheduled times. If you skip any meal for some reason and the meal time has passed, please let the crew know about this, since it might get a little complicated for them to keep track who has eaten and who has not.
If you have a special diet, or if you’re vegetarian, vegan, celiac or have allergies, the crew will do their best to accommodate your needs, but only if you have been able to informed them beforehand once you make your reservation to your tri, and still it might be a little difficult sometimes to find gluten free and vegan alternative, so we encourage you to bring some extra snacks with you just in case.
Please keep in mind that in the special case of an allergy, you need to inform us in order to forward this information to the captain and let them be prepared to accommodate you.
Meals are always served at scheduled times. If you skip any meal for some reason and the meal time has passed, please let the crew know about this, since it might get a little complicated for them to keep track who has eaten and who has not.
ACCOMMODATION
As soon as you board the boat the crew along with the captain will designate your berth for the entire trip (If you haven’t already booked a specific one as a double bed) which could be a bunk or just a single in a shared space or private cabin. There are limited private cabins in these boats and sometimes just one, you can book these based on availability once you’re booking your trip. In case you have booked a specific bed or private cabin, it is important you let the crew know about this, since it’s a common thing they mix up the beds and it could be resolved right before the tour starts.
Keep in mind that the space will be quite reduced and you will be sharing these areas with people you have just met, so it’s important to be flexible during this trip, solo travellers might be required to share a double bed with another passenger who is also traveling solo. If this might represent a problem for you please let us know beforehand.
Some of the boats use their salon area also to accommodate passengers at a lower price, although it is not a private type of accommodation, these areas tend to have better air flow and therefore are a perfect option for those who are suffering of sea sickness or even claustrophobia.
It is possible that the crew members take the salon or even the desk as their sleeping area, especially outside since they are always checking any weather changes that need a quick action, if this is the case we ask you to respect their space.
Keep in mind that the space will be quite reduced and you will be sharing these areas with people you have just met, so it’s important to be flexible during this trip, solo travellers might be required to share a double bed with another passenger who is also traveling solo. If this might represent a problem for you please let us know beforehand.
Some of the boats use their salon area also to accommodate passengers at a lower price, although it is not a private type of accommodation, these areas tend to have better air flow and therefore are a perfect option for those who are suffering of sea sickness or even claustrophobia.
It is possible that the crew members take the salon or even the desk as their sleeping area, especially outside since they are always checking any weather changes that need a quick action, if this is the case we ask you to respect their space.
COMFORT ON BOARD
Usually these boats don’t count with showers and fresh water on board is very limited, so it’s important that everyone rationalize it, therefore at the end of each day you will have the chance to rinse off only once. Some of the islands have showers which you can use by paying $1 or $2.
The water supply and distribution is controlled by the captain of the boat, therefore he or she might change the rules on its usage if it’s necessary. Dishes and cups will be washed anyway with salt water, since freshwater is considered very valuable while on the boat, since if it runs out, you won’t have any more of it unless it rains. So please when you brush your teeth don’t leave the water running.
When it comes to flushing the toilets, you don’t need to worry about how many times you do it, since they work with salt water, but the content will be recirculated back into the sea, therefore avoid putting non organic objects into the toilet, such as toilet paper, tampons or napkins, pay attention once you flush, and if you need it flush more than once, if you need assistance by one of the crew members, don’t be embarrassed to ask for it, since they do it more times than you think.
The water supply and distribution is controlled by the captain of the boat, therefore he or she might change the rules on its usage if it’s necessary. Dishes and cups will be washed anyway with salt water, since freshwater is considered very valuable while on the boat, since if it runs out, you won’t have any more of it unless it rains. So please when you brush your teeth don’t leave the water running.
When it comes to flushing the toilets, you don’t need to worry about how many times you do it, since they work with salt water, but the content will be recirculated back into the sea, therefore avoid putting non organic objects into the toilet, such as toilet paper, tampons or napkins, pay attention once you flush, and if you need it flush more than once, if you need assistance by one of the crew members, don’t be embarrassed to ask for it, since they do it more times than you think.
THE CREW
It is important to know that this is not a guided tour, but the crew will be more than happy to give you the tools you need to make this experience an amazing time. The number one priority for the crew will be your safety and then just after that comfort, therefore keep in mind the crew might not always be available to socialize or entertain as they might be completing their tasks and duties on board.
Each captain does things differently, but their primary target is to take you to your destination in a safe and responsible way.
Sometimes boats hire different captains, therefore in case you’re interested in knowing more about your captain, feel free to contact us and we will fill you in with all details.
Most of the captains are local sailors, while others are foreigners who have relocated here ,in any case there will always be English speaking crew on board.
Please remember that if you have any type of concern it is important you inform the crew, this is very important for them since once you all can help each other the trip will be a very nice experience.
Each captain does things differently, but their primary target is to take you to your destination in a safe and responsible way.
Sometimes boats hire different captains, therefore in case you’re interested in knowing more about your captain, feel free to contact us and we will fill you in with all details.
Most of the captains are local sailors, while others are foreigners who have relocated here ,in any case there will always be English speaking crew on board.
Please remember that if you have any type of concern it is important you inform the crew, this is very important for them since once you all can help each other the trip will be a very nice experience.
