Panama - San Blas

Good morning

Long shot here, but looking for information on traveling to Panama’s San Blas islands.

Can anyone recommend a travel site to review? I am most interested in San Blas area as well as don’t miss spots in/near Panama.

I have emailed back and forth with the company’I travel by boat’ a few times already but am looking for independent information.

Thanks for any input.

Murdock--what are you interested in doing there? It's been a while since we were there, but it's really kind of a day visit kind of place. I suppose things might have changed since we were there, but at the time we were there, there were no places you could stay over night there. We visited from a cruise ship and got some lovely molas, but that was about the extent of what there is to do there.

Well - we found a sailing ‘charter’ company that basically connects people like us (like to sail) with people that own sailboats and allow guests aboard their boats. From what I have read, official charter companies are not allowed.

So i guess i am interested in 2 things mainly- for a relaxing vacation on someone else’s boat in San Blas islands, how many days would be a good amount…wife loves remote beaches, kiddo loves swimming and I enjoy boating/locals/indigenous

second, where should we consider staying in Panama before/after boat charter that is not Panama City…That city looks entirely too busy for a vacation destination. I

I realize this may not be the right forum but I just needed a place to start looking for travelers who can make recommendations based on experience…(as I do in bvi and usvi forums)

Huh, OK, San Blas would be entirely too remote for me for a few days, but everyone is different. Panama City used to be a scary place, with crime, etc., but no idea now. This was pre turnover of the Canal, when we were there.

Regarding a forum, did you look at Trip Advisor? I have no idea, as I have never looked for info on that specific area.

I was there a while back on my own boat. Beautiful group of almost completely undeveloped islands. There are a small number of islands with basic accommodation that you could stay on after your boat trip. They will likely be very basic, possible with electricity from solar panels and generators so don't expect much if any air conditioning.

In terms of the boat trip, I wouldn't plan on too many days aboard, it isn't like the BVI or USVI where most people are on vacation and get up everyday and go sailing, It is more a place where cruisers hang out at anchor for weeks on end. Unless the boat you hook up with is actually running a charter business under the radar, they'll likely want to set the itinerary.

Here's a link to the first entry in my wife's blog covering our time in... San Blas

We have friends circumnavigating and just transited the canal. They spent time in the San Blas islands - they loved it. Here is a link to their public Facebook page - lots of posts. https://m.facebook.com/groups/2904443256475987?group_view_referrer=search

The Washington Post had an article about sailing (charter) in the San Blas earlier this month: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2022/04/15/panama-san-blas-sailing/ You might find some useful resources there.

Wow - what a fantastic read that Washington Post article was….thanks to ALL for your replies.

MIDiver - I haven’t looked at your friends’ facebook page, but will do so
soon.

Jeannius - Would you say 3 nights or 4 nights is enough? Logistically, this place is hard to get to (by land anyway). By the time US flights land in Panama City there isn’t enough time to reach the port to catch the transport boats to get you to the charter sailboat. (I plan to see if a charter flight is possible to get close enough and onboard the charter to boat so as not to burn a night in Panama City. (We’ll be burning nights there after San Blas)

So, if i can’t swing a night start on travel day, we’ll have to
stay in Panama City and begin the trek the following day…All this to
say..I can’t really justify (in my mind anyway) spending just 3 nights aboard charter given the laborious travel time….BUT also don’t want to be stuck/bored. My wife really does love planting her toes in sand ALL day and I really enjoy exploring/swimming/snorkeling , etc especially with kiddo (she won’t always be 10)…in addition I like boats. It doesn’t sound like wind will be great in October, but that is all right as I assume water visibility will be improved.

Apologies for droning on, but if you had any thoughts on minimum/maximum san blas charter time I would appreciate additional input

ALL - thanks again! TTOL is such a wonderful resource and full of
so many helpful people! I use it daily.