san blas tours colombia to panama

The San Blas Islands Experience

Boat from colombia to panama, come and reconnect with the natural world on a remote island expedition.

Boat Colombia to Panama

Sapzurro – carti.

We take you on an unforgettable adventure through the full archipelago, passing through all 365 islands with a speedboat from Panama to Colombia, from Sapzurro on the southern side of San Blas to Carti in Panama with no 2 day ocean crossing, traveling along the full length of the third biggest coral reef in the world and passing alongside one of the biggest untouched rain forests in the world! We are a fast boat alternative to the sailing boat from Cartagena to Panama. (Boat Colombia to Panama)

Geet off the beaten track

Are you ready to explore.

We take you on an unforgettable adventure through the full archipelago, passing through all 365 islands from the northern side to the southern side with no 2 day ocean crossing, traveling along the full length of the third biggest coral reef in the world and passing alongside one of the biggest untouched rainforests in the world!

Come with us & Support the local community

Watching where your money goes is very important!. For ethical travel San Blas Adventures don’t want tourists to stop having fun, we just want them to think about how they’re spending their time and money. Be a conscious traveler, with an awareness of the place you’re going and whether the money you spend benefits the economy of the local hostsWe work very closely with the Kuna on all aspects of the trip and most of the money from your fare stays in San Blas, distributed among the local people we work with and the different communities we visit along the way.

EXPERIENCE – CULTURAL – BEACH PARTY

10 great reasons to come with us.

• 1 Save money and see more
• 2 No 2 day ocean crossing = No seasickness & more island time
• 3 90% of your time on the islands
• 4 8 Hours total boat time in 4 days
• 5 5+ Islands – Sleep on the islands
• 6 Discover a magical indigenous culture
• 7 Snorkel the third biggest coral reef in the world
• 8 Wander and explore the islands at your own leisure
• 9 Bonfire – beach party
• 10 Visit Colombian highlights: Sapzurro, Capurgana & La Miel

What’s Included?

• 4 DAYS 3 NIGHTS – BOAT TRANSPORT IN SAN BLAS
• SNORKEL GEAR
• GREAT FOOD / LOBSTER (ON AVAILABILITY)
• ACCOMMODATION – PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
• IMMIGRATION OUT OF PANAMA

Island Activities

• BESIDES SWIMMING
• TANNING AND SWINGING IN A HAMMOCK
• GEAR INCLUDED
• BEACH PARTY
• GUITAR & DRUM
• MARSHMALLOWS/SMORE´S

RECOMMENDED BY

Where does it start?

Our trip starts in sapzurro, by capurgana and la miel. these highlights of colombia are not to be missed, where does the trip end, the trip ends in carti, from there you can stay in san blas or take a jeep to panama city, how do i get to capurgana/sapzurro.

San Blas Islands Adventure Tour: Colombia To Panama By Boat

Jackson Groves

Posted on Last updated: June 24, 2023

Categories COLOMBIA , PANAMA

This is your Ultimate Guide to a San Blas Islands tour by San Blas Adventures : The best way to get from Colombia to Panama and see the amazing San Blas archipelago! This four-day boat adventure was one of the most amazing experiences we had in the region with island hopping, snorkeling, bonfires, and amazing, tropical scenery.

Table of Contents

WHY A BOAT TRIP IS BETTER THAN A FLIGHT

The journey from Colombia to Panama is not a straightforward transit. The dangerous Darien Gap Jungle makes it impossible to pass through overland on a bus or via car. The most common way to reach Panama from Colombia is to fly to Panama City. However, we found that the flight tickets were $250 USD one way, which is quite expensive given the distance of the flight. The next option is to sail or take a boat from Cartagena, Colombia to Panama City, which sounded like the most adventurous option. We organized a 3-night/4-day San Blas Islands tour boat trip from Colombia to Panama, which costs $399 USD with San Blas Adventures .

WHY WE DECIDED TO GO DO A SAN BLAS ISLANDS TOUR

If you need to get to Panama City in a rush then you will definitely need to fly. However, if you are backpacking or traveling through Central/South America, the boat trip is the best option.

• The cost of the San Blas Islands Tour was $399 and the flight from Colombia to Panama was $250. Therefore you get the San Blas Islands tour and transit bundled into one convenient package for only $150 more than the flight itself.
• You need to transit one way or the other so combining the transit with an authentic adventure seems to make the most sense.

My mate Josh and I decided that for the extra $150 we would do the boat trip with San Blas Adventures for $399. Included in this fee were all accommodation, transits, meals, snorkels, and activities. The only other money we spent was on beers and coconuts but it was only a few dollars here and there. The group was awesome and we ended up having an epic time.

SAN BLAS ADVENTURES BOAT TOUR

In this San Blas Islands blog post, I am going to give you a detailed look into the four-day San Blas Islands tour with  San Blas Adventures . It was seriously an epic four days of living like nomadic pirates and getting a unique insight into the Kuna culture and way of life. Of course, the scenery was out of this world and I was lucky enough to get permission from the Kuna leaders to fly my drone to be able to get a unique aerial perspective of this beautiful region.

SAN BLAS ADVENTURES TOUR AVAILABILITY

The calendar below shows the availability of the current tours with San Blas Adventures !

CARTAGENA TO SAPZURRO

For our journey, we needed to get from Cartagena to Panama City. The first step was to get to Sapzurro, a small town where the San Blas Islands tour departs.  San Blas Adventures  makes it really easy with instructions on how to get there by public transport. It was two relatively long days of transit before the tour even started, which is something to take into consideration, but there is no real way around that unless you sail from Cartagena directly. Beware of sailing directly as you will be stuck on the boat the whole time. The max time we were on the boat was 2 hours and for the rest we were exploring islands and villages, which is the best way!

From Cartagena we caught the following transports to Sapzurro:

TRANSIT DAY 1

• Taxi from Cartagena to the bus station
• 10-hour public bus to Necocli

TRANSIT DAY 2

• 1.5-hour Public boat from Necocli to Capurgana
• 15-minute ferry from Capurgan to Sapzurro (or you can do the 5km hike over the hill)

THE PANAMA – COLOMBIA BORDER

We woke early and jumped in our passenger boat, which we would be cruising for the next four days. This was the official start of our San Blas Island tour. All of the bags were wrapped in black garbage bags, people were showered, and smelt nice. The next four days would be all about the adventure and that kicked off with our first stop at the Panama/Colombia border.

Our boat pulled in and we were asked to bring out all of our bags and lay them in rows on the wet cement. Still in the black garbage bags, a sniffer dog was released from a small cage as a soldier with a machine gun led him around our bags. He finished and luckily none of the guys in our group had been dumb enough to try and smuggle anything across the border!

We thought that might be the end of the process. However, they indicated we would need to have every single back, and every single pocket individually searched. This took about an hour for our group of 13. After we finally finished we went to the local bakery with our bags to chill and wait for our passports.

After five hours of waiting on the island, we finally got our passports and could head off. It is a pretty lengthy process as the guards need approval from the head office. It doesn’t seem like the most efficient system ever but if you want to get through via boat this is just how it goes. We had a kick-around with some local kids, watched the world cup, had numerous coffees, and pastries, and chatted amongst ourselves. Five hours passed quickly.

 ATIDUP ISLAND

Leaving our lengthy process of border security behind us we got back in our boat and headed off in the direction of Atidup Island. It was finally time after 2.5 days of transit to enjoy the San Blas Islands tour. This is where the fun began.

Atidup Island was beautiful. No one else was there, it was our private island for the afternoon. A beach volleyball court was sheltered by plentiful coconut trees. The sun was out and the good times were rolling. All around us were beautiful yet empty, palm-tree-laden islands. Most of the islands we would see on the trip seemed untouched or occupied by one small bamboo hut.

Coconuts and beers were available but Josh and I opted to get straight into the water to snorkel the nearby reef, which turned out to be amazing. A huge shelf of the reef drops down into the dark abyss. Hundreds of fish swam about the brightly colored coral. We even found a tunnel that we held our breath through for a few nervous moments!

Back on dry land we grabbed a coconut and settled into a chair. The local Kuna tribe from Caledonia village had sent a boat of talented kids to perform a traditional dance. They are the champions in the region and it showed. It was a great show for the kids, some as young as five getting in on the action with flutes and dancing.

In the distance, the sun began to set over the layers of mountains in the Darien Gap. From beneath the palm trees, we watched the early colors develop. We jumped in the boat to watch the final moments of the sunset, which spectacularly lit up the dense layer of clouds above.

CALEDONIA ISLAND

We arrived after sunset at Caledonia Island, which would be our home for the evening. It is the main Kuna Island in the San Blas Islands. The village is home to 900 people, 600 of which are children. The Kuna people sleep in hammocks, eat a lot of seafood and the kids love soccer. They have a rich history and have overcome a lot throughout the years.

There is just one hostel and restaurant on the island, both of which offer luxuries like beer for sale and allow alcohol consumption. Alcohol is not allowed outside of the hostel or restaurant. We had a big group dinner of octopus, fish, and vegetables before heading back to the hostel for a few drinks.

DAY 2 

Our accommodation at Caledonia Island was simple but everything we needed. The bungalow-style accommodation hung out over the water and one side and was an epic spot to welcome the new day. Our legendary crew made us a breakfast of fresh fruit, Kuna bread, chia seeds, peanut butter, coffee, and tea. The food was really good throughout the whole trip but breakfasts with fresh tropical fruit were my favorite.

After quickly packing up we set off for a big day of adventures on our San Blas Islands tour. In the San Blas Islands archipelago, there are 365 different islands and on this trip, we would be setting foot on five of those! We boarded our boat and settled in for a 2-hour drive. It would be the longest boat ride of the adventure. You get to spend 90% of your time on the islands and 10% (8 hours) in the boat throughout the entire 4 days, which is prime.

PELICAN ISLAND

The waves weren’t too bad for most of the trip to Pelican Island but I was definitely glad to be on a boat for 2 hours and not a sailboat for 4 days. Two hours was enough. We rolled into Pelican Island, another deserted island for our group of 13 to enjoy for the afternoon. One of the great parts about this San Blas Islands tour is that it wasn’t rushed. Sometimes on a trip or island hopping adventure, you get one or two hours on an island. We would get 3-5 hours. It meant you could play volleyball, explore, and have lunch but also wind down and read a book. You didn’t get to the accommodation at night completely wrecked from trying to fit it all in.

Beach volleyball fast become the activity of choice for our crew. It’s always risky spending four days in tight quarters with a group of others but I think the adventurous nature of this trip ensures everyone on board loves the beach, and being outdoors, and wasn’t looking for a luxury, glamping experience. Everyone was keen to get involved with activities, games, or exploring.

Josh and I shot some hoops on the jungle basketball court despite both scoring 1/50 shots. It’s just how you look in the photo right?

After another amazing lunch of quinoa salad, pasta salad, and chicken, we lay on the beach watching small sailboats ferry coconuts to and from the villages.

TUPILE (REVOLUTION ISLAND)

After our relaxing afternoon at Pelican Island, we docked into our home for the night, which was Revolution Island. It got the name after being the central hub for the revolution when the Kuna tribes came together here to take back their land. Now, Tupile, is a peaceful village with kids playing volleyball and soccer, older women making bracelets.

We went on a short tour of the village but Josh and I got sidetracked and ended up losing our group and getting involved in some games and soccer with the local kids. It was a crazy afternoon of laughs and fun hanging out with the kids and teenagers of the village.

Dinner at Tupile was amazing! The crew made chicken burritos, Panama-style, and a pumpkin sauce. It was incredible the quality of food they were coming out with as they cooked from small islands with ingredients we had brought in coolers from Colombia.

Our beds for the night would be hammocks. I had never slept in a hammock before so this was a first for me and it ended up being more comfortable than I had expected. I slept in shorts and a t-shirt without even a blanket, although some in our group used blankets that had been brought.

ISLA PELICANO

Another day, another island. We set off from Tupile and made our way to Isla Pelicano. It took about an hour and we arrived mid-morning. The island required almost no exploring as it was about fifty meters across the island at the longest point, which made it a sweet little spot to hang out on the sand, read a book and fly the drone!

The snorkeling at Isla Pelicano was pretty cool. While we didn’t quite find any epic reef, there were so many starfish and we even came across a spotted ray only a few meters out from the shore. You can tell this is a region with a diverse array of wildlife. Dolphins, fish, rays, and everything in between had been spotted during our San Blas Islands Tour.

Lunch was outstanding once again with multiple healthy salads and tuna baguettes. It’s amazing that the best, healthy food we had during our time in Colombia/Panama was on a deserted island in the middle of the ocean! The crew really rocked it at every meal.

This island was beautiful, but it wasn’t until I sent the drone up to explore that I saw how epic the reef system was around Isla Pelicano. Huge drop-offs from the shelf into deep blue water create an epic contrast. Giant blue holes look like perfect spots to snorkel, explore and watch the native marine life.

COCO BANDERA ISLAND

After Isla Pelicano, we made our way to our headquarters for the night, which would be Coco Bandera Island. It was a beautiful little island, about 100 meters long. It was adorned with palm trees and white sand with a few huts for sleeping, cooking, and the local Kuna people. We slept in hammocks inside the bamboo and leaf huts and eat our meals out in the communal hut.

Luckily the huts had strong roofs because that night a huge storm hit us. We managed to stay dry and despite the storm, it wasn’t cold, just very wet!

Coco Bandera Island has a volleyball court, which our crew made the most of for several hours! There was also some great snorkeling to be had and we even watched a few dolphins cruising around the island. Not long ago a huge sea turtle came ashore to lay her eggs. The hatchlings had already scampered out to sea before we arrived.

We spent the night enjoying a few beers, which were available for $2 a bottle on the island, and some rum we had brought from Colombia. Sat around a bonfire on Coco Bandera Island in the middle of the ocean was the perfect end to our last night of the San Blas Islands tour.

We packed up at Coco Bandera Island and enjoyed a relaxing morning in the sun. After lunch, we made the 1-hour boat trip to the port in Panama. Here we loaded into jeeps organized by San Blas Adventures and made the 3-hour journey through the jungle to arrive at our Hostel. We were pretty damn tired and dirty from our epic trip so we showered up and got a good night’s sleep at Mamallena Hostel in Panama City. If you want to book a night of accommodation at Mamallena for the night after your trip you can click here .

SAN BLAS ADVENTURES TOUR VIDEO

We made a short video of the adventure, which you can check out below.

SAN BLAS ISLANDS MAP

The map below was made by  San Blas Adventures and give you a great guide of the whole process from Cartagena all the way through to Panama City. Depending on where you begin, whether it be Cartagena or Capurgana, this San Blas Islands Tour map will help you understand the whole process from start to finish.

WHAT TO PACK FOR A SAN BLAS ISLANDS TOUR

I went pretty basic in terms of packing but there are some key things to consider while packing your bag. You will need a daypack with all of your gear as your big luggage will be wrapped in plastic and taken from Colombia to Panama and you will only have access to it after the trip. Essentially they transport it there for you so you will wave goodbye to it in Colombia and see it at the end of the trip. This means you need to pack everything you need in your day pack. Here is what I recommend packing for the San Blas Islands tour.

Another point to note is that there will not be electricity along the way. So a power bank is necessary if you want to charge your phone and camera.

• Daypack: For the last 3 years I have traveled the world with my Victoria Tourist Camera Laptop Backpack . It is only $60 on Amazon and one of the few camera backpacks that hold your camera and 3 lenses in a padded, easy access pouch, a 13-inch MacBook Pro and still have room for everything else. I’ve talked about how good this bag is to so many people that lots of my friends have traded in their expensive Lowepro bags for my budget backpack because it is the best all-rounder for a backpacker who takes photographs and uses a laptop. You can check it out on Amazon by clicking here .
• 2 T-shirts or tank tops
• 2 Boardshorts or shorts
• Reusable water bottle:  Generally for me, the Hydro Flask has always been the best bottle to keep your water cold throughout the day and a great way to not use a ton of small plastic bottles. On this trip, you can buy gallon plastic bottles, which is still better than lots of small plastic bottles. Each morning fill up your Hydro Flask from your gallon and you are good to go! You can check out the Hydroflask and pick a color you like by clicking here .
• Flip-flops/Sandals:  You won’t need shoes on this trip so save space by just packing a pair of flip-flops or sandals.
• Toiletries: I literally just packed soap, deodorant, toothbrush, and toothpaste. For me, island living is not a fashion parade. Bring the essentials but leave the beauty products and hair straighteners in your big bag!
• Power Bank: I’ve used a lot of power banks and the most reliable and long-lasting is the Anker Powerbank . It has a dual USB-slot and it never drains itself or magically appears to be dead like others I’ve had in the past. I can charge my camera batteries and my phone multiple times with this gem. You can check the Anker Powerbank out on Amazon by clicking here .
• Camera Gear: Your camera phone may be enough for you. Obviously, I packed a lot more to shoot the whole trip. If you want to check out the gear I use to capture photos on this trip and all of the trips I take across the world you can click here. I use a drone, GoPro, Sony Action Camera, DSLR camera and my iPhone.

View the full blog post: MY TRAVEL BLOGGER CAMERA GEAR & GENERAL TRAVEL EQUIPMENT LIST

I hope this blog post convinced you to explore the San Blas Islands via boat during your journey from Colombia to Panama City. Like I mentioned above it is only an extra $100-200 to do the entire tour than to fly direct. Therefore unless you are in a rush this is the best way to explore the San Blas Islands and transit to Panama to continue your travels.

It was an absolute blast thanks to our guide Svea and her crew who made sure everything was always organized and we were never hungry! I can’t recommend this experience enough so I hope you guys get out to the San Blas Islands and be sure to message me when you do with a photo! Let me know if you have any questions about the trip. You can email me at [email protected] or contact me via direct message on Instagram.

Friday 12th of May 2023

Beautiful pictures and story. We would love to go there. May I ask how you got permission to fly your drone? Thanks in advance!

Austin Gosney

Monday 11th of October 2021

I read a lot of your articles and every one of the articles are extremely useful. I also might want to contribute an article on your website page. I have been composing a lot of articles and might want to distribute them on your site. Desire to get a positive reaction from you.

Michael Roche

Monday 6th of January 2020

Nice blog. I was going to do the sailing trip from Cartagena but after reading this, I signed on withSan Blas Adventure. I used the link to save 5% on the trip and the money saved mostly paid for the Anker Powerbank you also recommended. So a worthy read!

SAN BLAS ISLANDS TOUR - COLOMBIA TO PANAMA BY BOAT - Voyage Love

Saturday 28th of September 2019

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SAN BLAS ISLANDS TOUR - COLOMBIA TO PANAMA BY BOAT - Journey Era - Voyage Love

Thursday 26th of September 2019

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Hector's San Blas Experience

Explore with Hector's San Blas Experience

Come and experience the true Guna culture and the magic of the San Blas Islands

with our San Blas tours!

Hector's Story

I am your Guna guide to take you on an unforgettable journey along the San Blas Islands. I grew up in Armila, the Guna community closest to the Colombian border, and still live there to this day with my whole family.

Over the last 10 years I have worked with several tour agencies as a guide, cook and marinero to give insight in the wisdom and beauty of our culture and our land, Guna Yala. Our traditions and our sense of community mean a lot to us and I believe it is important to conserve and share these with you! That's why I started my own tour agency: because I want to offer tours with less partying and more in depth cultural experience!

SEE OUR TOURS

General Information

Whats is included

Not included

Windy season

Important Information

Bookings & Payments

Cancellations & refunds

Terms & conditions

Preparing for your trip

Life Aboard

Immigration

 Colombia & Panama await you… Join us for the ultimate Sailing Experience!

Our intercontinental sailing adventure between Colombia & Panama or vice versa is a once in a lifetime experience! It consists of 3 days dedicated to exploring the beautiful San Blas islands and 2 days (30-50 hours) of a unique open-sea crossing.

Colombia to Panama Our tours departing from Colombia to Panama leave from Club Náutico marina in Manga, Cartagena. A taxi ride from the center of town to the marina takes around 5-10 minutes and costs 8-12,000 pesos.

There will be a pre-departure meeting held the day of the departure around 10 or 11 am to collect passports and payments. You will then be free for the day and return for departure, typically in the late afternoon/evening that day.

Panama to Colombia

There are 2 departure points from Panama:

Puerto Lindo is a small seaside town on the Caribbean coast of Panama. We can organize for you a shuttle van (2 hours, 25 USD per person). The shuttle will pick you up from your hostel in Panama City and drop you at the port.

Boats that depart from Puerto Lindo typically leave in the evening of the first day and arrive in Cartagena on the sixth day, subject to sea, wind, and current conditions. You will spend the first 3 days in the San Blas Islands and end with the open-sea crossing to Cartagena.

El Porvenir is an island in San Blas.  As there is only one road to San Blas and the jeeps that drive it are required to have a special license, we will organize your transport from your hostel in Panama City to the boat. It consists of a jeep and a speedboat.  The journey takes around 4 hours, costs about $60 usd per person, and is not included in the price of the trip.

Boats departing from El Porvenir begin their trip on the morning of the first day and end in Cartagena on the fifth or sixth day depending on the sea conditions.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

Safety Equipment

All of our boats are equipped with essential safety gear including life jackets, emergency life rafts, multiple navigation devices, VHF radio, Satellite Phone, and GPS spot device or AIS (Automatic Identification System).

Standard immigration check-out and check-in is included during the trip. You will receive a standard 90-day tourist visa for the country you are entering.

During your trip you will enjoy three daily meals as well as drinking water, tea, and coffee. Please let us know in advance if you have any dietary requirements.

Accommodation

There are a variety of cabin options at various prices depending on the boat and cabin choice. You’ll have a bed with sheets and storage space for your belongings.

Each boat comes equipped with a dinghy to transport passengers from the boat to land or from the boat to the islands.

Snorkeling Gear

We provide snorkeling gear to explore the vibrant coral reefs and underwater world. Please note that in San Blas, scuba diving is prohibited in order to protect the biodiversity, and snorkeling is the only way to observe marine life.

Electricity

Each boat has reserves of energy to charge small electronics. Your boat captain will inform you of the appropriate times to charge your devices.

Most of our boats are equipped with various games and entertainment options, such as volleyballs or soccer balls, cards, books, stereo system, kayaks or paddle boards.

Three days in the islands, visiting a different group (Cayos) of islands every day.

NOT INCLUDED

This tax is charged by the Kuna Yala Congress for access to the Islands. The cost is $20USD per person. This fee applies to anyone entering by boat, land, or plane.

Transportation to and from the arrival and departure ports is not included in the trip price.

Snacks & Beverages

Alcoholic drinks, mixers, and snacks are not included in the trip price. You are welcome to bring your own.

It is recommended that you purchase personal property insurance for your trip as it is not included in the price of your tour.

Please note that gratuities for the crew are not included in the trip price, so if you enjoy your journey, tips are greatly appreciated.

You can buy coconuts on the islands, but if you take them without permission, the Guna/Kuna community may charge you a fine of $100 .

WINDY SEASON

The windy season runs from mid-December to April. During this time, strong winds are common, and the sea is often rough, particularly for trips departing from Panama as the boats travel against the wind and waves. In such conditions, boats may change their routes and navigate closer to the coast. If the weather gets particularly severe, the captains may opt to use the engine to motor sail. We do not accept children under the age of 15 during this time.

In other seasons, there may not be enough wind, and the boats may rely on the motor instead. While the captains prefer sailing, safety and comfort are our top priorities for both the passengers and the boat.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE PASSENGERS

We want you to have the best possible experience during your trip to San Blas! It is important to keep in mind that traveling by sailboat requires a certain level of flexibility.

Flexibility is Key

We recommend that you give yourself 48 hours wiggle room between arrival and any ongoing flights. The ocean and wind are unpredictable, and captains may need to change the departure date due to bad weather or mechanical issues. Please be prepared for unexpected changes and keep an open mind.

Adventure travel

Our trips are not luxury or guided tours. Our captain’s top priority is to ensure your safety during the trip. The crew will provide you with the necessary resources to fully enjoy your experience.

Please inform us

If you are concerned about a tight connecting flight or have any other concerns, we will do our best to work with you. Please disclose to us if you have any physical limitations due to age, weight, or health. Also please let us know about any allergies you have.

BOOKING & PAYMENTS

Cost of the trip The price of the trip is set by the captains of each boat and the same no matter where you book. Prices typically range between 660 and 780 USD per person depending on the boat as well as cabin preference. Prices may also vary depending on the season, so please contact us for exact pricing information.

Finalize Reservation If you would like to confirm a reservation, please email us a readable photo of all passenger’s passports. We will then send you a request for the 60 usd per person deposit which will secure your booking. The remainder of the payment will be paid in cash to the captain when you get to the boat. Please note that your spots cannot be saved until you have sent readable copies of all passenger’s passports and paid the 60 usd per person deposit.

We handle all bookings via email and are also available to chat via Whatsapp !

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS

The deposit is nonrefundable. If you need to cancel your reservation, we can transfer the deposit to a future reservation, but the cancellation needs to be made at least two weeks before your departure date. If you cancel at least 72 hours before the departure date you will be required to pay 50% of the total cost of the trip. If you cancel the day of your departure no refund will be issued. If you need to change your reservation, you can do so once and at least two weeks before your original departure date. Otherwise you will have to pay a new deposit.

Our boats typically depart and arrive on time, but in the unlikely event of a delay due to bad weather, mechanical issues, crew sickness, immigration, or other unforeseeable events, we will inform you as soon as possible. If your trip is delayed, it should not be longer than one or two days. There is no compensation for delays 24 hours or less. However, if the delay is more than 24 hours, you may cancel your reservation and receive a refund of the deposit paid. In the event of civil disobedience, actions by government employees, or acts of God, deposits cannot be refunded but may be transferred to future bookings.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

We are a booking agency, the boats are individually owned and operated. The captains have the right to refuse passage or make changes at their discretion to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers. Once you have boarded the boat, the captain assumes full responsibility and authority for the quality of service provided for the duration of the trip.

Please be aware that we are not responsible for any unforeseeable events such as weather conditions, actions by government employees, civil disobedience, acts of God, or any other random events that may occur. We make every effort to work around or avoid these events and will keep you informed of any changes that may affect your trip.

The crew, owner, and Blue Sailing, cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to personal items or personal injury. All passengers are responsible to have travel insurance before embarking on the trip.

Adventure travel inherently involves risk, and by booking and paying for your trip, you acknowledge and accept these risks. Therefore, Blue Sailing and its affiliates will not be held liable for any accidents, injuries, or losses that may occur during your trip.  

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San Blas Adventures: Best Boat Trip Panama to Colombia

Home » Blog » Panama » San Blas Adventures: Best Boat Trip Panama to Colombia

Just off Panama’s Caribbean coast lies a collection of 365 islands that are straight out of a dream: Palm trees, white sand beaches, starfish and coral reefs. 

If you’ve ever dreamt of island hopping in a tropical paradise (who hasn’t?!), sit down right now, grab a coffee and prepared to be blow away by the San Blas Islands.

The San Blas Islands

This idyllic archipelago might look familiar to you, and there’s a reason for that. One of Microsoft’s original desktop wallpapers was a picture of one of the San Blas Islands, and it was a welcomed midday daydream for millions of people stuck in cubicles all over the world. (Just check out the picture below!)

It’s one of those places that is so beautiful in pictures that you may wonder if it really does exist. The good news is you can enjoy this stunning place in real life instead of just staring at your computer screen! Be sure to watch the short video below showing our time traveling through the San Blas Islands.

Disclaimer: Our trip with San Blas Adventures was sponsored. But as always, all opinions are 100% honest.

How to get to the San Blas Islands

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If all this talk of white sand beaches and turquoise waters has you ready to pack your bags, keep reading because we’re going to explain how to plan your trip to the San Blas Islands.

Visiting the San Blas Islands is a popular way to get from Panama to Colombia, or vice versa. This is typically done as a 4-day trip that will surely be a highlight of your travels in Central America, and it’s certainly one of the best things to do in Panama .

There are a 2 ways to visit the San Blas Islands:

Option 1: Speed Boat to San Blas Islands

Taking a speed boat means you spend minimal time crossing the sometimes choppy waters. Instead, you’ll spend the majority of your time on the islands themselves.

Option 2: Sailboat to San Blas Islands

Exploring the San Blas Islands by sailboat means you’ll spend some time on the islands, but you will be sleeping on a boat. Sleeping quarters can vary from luxurious to stuffy depending on which sailing company you choose.

Short on time? If you only have a couple days to spare and don’t want to go all the way down to Colombia, you can do an overnight trip to the San Blas Islands. We wouldn’t recommend this option unless you’re truly pressed for time because you won’t have all that much time to explore the islands. But it’s good to know this option is available!

There are pros and cons to each type of trip, and what was best for us might not be best for you.

To explain more about the differences of sailing versus taking a speed boat, we have created a PDF download (that’s totally free!) that we can email to you. It will help you determine what type of trip is best for you. Just enter your email below and we’ll send you the PDF.

We decided that taking a speed boat sounded like the better option for us (find out which option is best for you by downloading this FREE pdf!).

San Blas Adventures is a reputable company that operates speed boat trips from Panama to Colombia through the San Blas Islands, and planning our trip was as simple as confirming our booking!

This 4-day trip brought us through the stunning San Blas archipelago and allowed us to spend as much time on the islands as possible.

We played volleyball, went snorkeling, ate delicious meals, relaxed in the sun, drank rum cocktails around a bonfire, and slept in hammocks. We also had the unique opportunity to interact with the Kuna people and learn a bit about this indigenous culture.

If you’re ready to book, be sure to let them know that Katie and Ben form Two Wandering Soles sent you! Continue reading for tons more info about the trip to the San Blas Islands!

While the San Blas archipelago is made up of 365 islands and cays, only 49 of them are inhabited. The people who call this paradise home are an indigenous group called the Kuna (sometimes spelled “Guna”), and interacting with them will surely be a highlight of your time in the San Blas Islands.

San Blas Adventures works closely with the Kuna people and provides them with jobs and opportunities to share their culture with visitors. This is one of the major reasons we chose to go with this company as opposed to the sailboat trips.

The first two days of the trip were spent on uninhabited islands, that were straight out of a dream. While nobody actually lives on these islands full time, the local Kuna people take turns as caregivers and “hosts” when San Blas Adventures groups come through. They sell handicrafts and drinks and help prepare some of the meals.

The last night of the San Blas Adventures trip was spent in a Kuna village on a large island. A group of local children had prepared a traditional dance for us to watch, and we were able to play with them afterward before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant. 

One wonderful part about visiting the San Blas Islands is you’re not going to find any resorts or chains. A portion of your money will go back into the Kuna communities, which is wonderful to see.

That said, there is certainly room for improvement when it comes to sustainability in the San Blas Islands. Being that this archipelago is a fragile environment, it is especially important to be aware of the impact visitors are having on the environment.

Sadly, we saw some trash in the waters while snorkeling in the San Blas, and on some of the islands there were small piles of rubbish near the shore. We assume most of this trash is brought in by the tides from the mainland and isn’t from people visiting the islands.

That said, do your part by carrying a bag in which you can pack out all the trash you create. Anything you leave on the islands may not get properly disposed of.

While traveling, we try not to buy any plastic water bottles. Instead, we fill up at water stations or use our Steripen to purify tap water. However, our trip to the San Blas Islands was an exception and we had to bring 2 plastic gallon jugs of water with us. There is no potable water on the islands that would even be good to sterilize. 

From grilled fish to fresh salads and tropical fruit, you’ll be eating really well in the San Blas Islands. Some of the meals are prepared by the Kuna people while others are made by San Blas Adventures staff.

Meals vary depending on the season and availability of seafood, but there are always several dishes to choose from and plenty of food to go around.

Note: They are able to accommodate meals for vegetarians. And don’t worry if you don’t like seafood: there are always other options too. If you have any dietary restrictions, let them know in advance so they can be prepared!

Even though the meals are filling, we would recommend bringing snacks to munch on in between mealtimes. Nobody wants to see your hangry self!

Accommodation is comfortable yet rustic, and there is little privacy. You’ll be staying at a new place each night of the trip. The first 2 nights are spent in hammocks in one big communal sleeping area. If you’ve never slept in a hammock, it is a fun new experience.

Hammock tip: Lay diagonally on the hammock so your body lies flat rather than curved (like a banana!). This will give you the most comfortable sleep. Trust us!

On the final night, you’ll stay in a guesthouse in a Kuna village. If you’re traveling as a couple, you will be able to have a private room (if availability allows), and if you’re traveling solo or with friends, you’ll share a dorm room.

Note: The accommodation differs a bit if you are traveling from Colombia to Panama.

So what happens when you need to go number two on a remote island? Awkward, I know, but we know you’re wondering about it, so here’s the scoop…

Don’t worry, you won’t need to dig a hole and “pop a squat”. There are facilities on the islands, but they vary a bit.

One island had a Western style toilet with a bucket of water you use to flush. On another island, there was a composting toilet (similar to an outhouse), and when we stayed in a local village we had drop toilets where you wee directly over the ocean (it was pretty interesting as long as you didn’t plan to swim below!).

And the showers are rustic as well. You will have access to bucket showers (with cold rain water). It’s actually a lot more refreshing than it sounds!

If you have an open mind and are okay “roughing it” for a few days, the bathroom and shower situation shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

Tip: Bring a roll of toilet paper (you can share with a couple people if you want). Some of the toilets have a roll, but some didn’t. And sometimes that roll would have fallen into a puddle of water and become useless.

San Blas Adventures is for anyone who wants an island-hopping adventure of a lifetime! On our trip there were couples, groups of friends and people traveling solo. 

You’ll love this trip if you:

Have an open mind

Are okay “roughing it” for a few days

Love beaches

Enjoy experiencing new cultures

Have a sense of humor and adventure

Are young (at heart!)

Are excited to meet new friends from around the world

Are okay without much privacy

Are looking for the adventure of a lifetime!

While we had a fantastic experience, this trip isn’t for everyone. 

Our group of nearly 30 people ranged in age, but it was a relatively young group overall. The youngest group member was 18 years old and the oldest was 36. We were the second oldest people (at 30 years old), and it seemed like the average age of people in the group was between 23 and 27. This might be something to keep in mind as you plan your trip. 

Also, if you aren’t all that excited to meet others and socialize, this trip might not be for you. You’ll spend lots of time with the others in your group – from sleeping in a communal area (with very little privacy) to drinking around a bonfire at night to relaxing on the beach during the day.

We loved having the opportunity to meet new friends from all over the world, and we couldn’t get over how in a group of nearly 30 people everyone was SO COOL. We now have 30 new friends thanks to San Blas Adventures.

But if you’re looking for a more intimate experience or don’t like to be around others that are drinking or partying, you might not enjoy the atmosphere.

Packing for San Blas Adventures requires some thought. 

First, we’ll start with some very important instructions:  You will need to separate your belongings into a big bag and a small bag. If you want to know what gear we bring on our travels, check out our detailed Packing List . 

Big Bag : Everything you DON’T need on the trip

You will NOT be able to access your big bag (40 liter to 70 liter backpacks) during the trip, unless absolutely necessary, so try to pack accordingly. The crew will be handling your big bag, so you won’t see it until the end of the trip.

Tip: San Blas Adventures recommends “waterproofing” this bag because there is a very good chance it will get wet. Our hostel in Panama City had a bunch of plastic bags from the supermarket (something we typically try to avoid) , and we put our packing cubes inside these so they would be protected in case the bag got soaked. As an extra safety measure, we put our entire backpack inside a large garbage bag, per their recommendation.

Small Bag : Everything you DO need on the trip

You will carry your small bag(s) ( day packs ) with you and make sure you have everything you’ll need for the trip inside. Additionally, you’ll want to have any important documents and electronics in the bag you carry with you. Keep in mind that there is a really good chance this bag will also get wet, so pack accordingly.

Dry bag : You WILL get wet and so will your belongings. If there is anything (like a camera or other electronics) that can’t get wet, you will definitely want to bring a dry bag.

Reef Safe Sunscreen : Since you’ll be swimming near fragile reef systems, it is especially important to make sure your sunscreen is labeled “reef safe”. Look for ones without oxybenzone, because this chemical bleaches the coral.

Swimsuit (or 2!): You’ll basically be living in your swimsuit

Clothes: You will most likely be wearing the same couple outfits, so you don’t need to pack too much. Bring lightweight clothes and a warmer layer, as it can get a little chilly at night.

Raincoat or poncho: It can rain quite suddenly in the islands

Towel : microfiber or Turkish towels are good lightweight options and they dry quickly

Tip: We always bring a towel AND a sarong so we have a towel that’s clean for after showering and a sarong we can lay on and dry off on at the beach. Trust me when I say you’ll want both on the San Blas Adventure, otherwise you’ll be sandy and salty even after rinsing off.

Camera (or iPhone): You’ll definitely want to document your experience!

Tip: We’ve written an article with tons of practical photography tips for travelers. Read up before your trip with San Blas Adventures to get some epic captures!

Motion sickness bands : If you’re prone to seasickness, you’ll want to be prepared with motion sickness bands or medicine like Gravel or natural ginger pills

Book or Kindle : You’ll have lots of reading time!

Pro Traveler Tip: We love the feel of reading a book, but you can’t argue the convenience of a Kindle while traveling. To save money, rent your books from your local library on your Kindle ! It’s free and you can rent it even if you’re in a different country via their online portal. All you need is your library card number. We even download Lonely Planet on them so we don’t need to carry around the thick guidebooks!

Eye cover : There is not much privacy at night, so an eye cover will keep you from waking up.

Tip: Ben uses a buff to cover his eyes, and I sometimes use a headband like this one . Yay for multi-purpose items!

Basic First Aid Kit (band-aids, etc.) & any medication you typically take

Reusable straw : We carry ours with us everywhere and liked it for our mixed drinks

Bug repellant : We use a solid balm that smell delicious

Baby oil: a couple of the islands have sand flies, and they can be very pesky. Rubbing baby oil on your legs will prevent them from biting you. When we were there we didn’t notice them at all and we never used our baby oil, but we’ve heard they can get worse during other times of the year.

Facial Wipes: wipe off all that sand, saltwater and sweat and feel fresh

Other toiletries

Hand sanitizer: There isn’t hand soap in many of the island bathrooms, so it’s a good idea to carry your own hand sanitizer

Vaccination record: Technically, you need your yellow fever vaccination to enter Colombia, so you will want to carry this documentation on you. That said, we’ve traveled to Colombia 3 times and have never been asked to present it.

Waterproof bag : Keep your passport, vaccination card and other important documents dry

Things to pick up in Panama City

3 photocopies of your passport (you need this for immigration): It’s easy to get this done in Panama City (most hostels will do this for a small fee), or you can get it done at home before your trip.

Snacks: Remember, you’ll need to pack out your trash so purchase snacks with minimal waste.

Alcohol (and mixers): You can also buy beer and Coke on the islands, but they cost $2 USD each.

Roll of toilet paper

Water: This is an important one. You will need to bring your own water on this trip, and you won’t have access to fresh water until the 3rd day. Ben and I each brought our 1 liter Hydroflask water bottles . Plus, we each bought a 1-gallon jug of water to bring with (buying bottled water is something we hardly every do while traveling, because we try to reduce our plastic use ).

Tip: If we were to do it again we might bring 3 gallons to split between the two of us because by the 3rd day we were running low on water. This totally depends on how much water you drink though, because some other people still had plenty left.

Cash: You must bring cash with you to pay for drinks on the islands. You will also need to pay for at least one night of accommodation ($25-$40 USD) in Capurganá (your ending city) and a ferry/bus ticket out of the town (175,000 COP/$60 USD). There is no ATM in Capurganá, so you will need to take enough cash with you to cover all costs until you get to Cartagena or Medellin. San Blas Adventures recommends bringing $150-250 USD per person.

Note: While in Panama, you will pay in US dollars, but in Colombia you will need to pay in Colombian Pesos. You can exchange money in Capurganá, but the rate is not great (2,500 COP to $1 USD, in July 2018). If you have time to get pesos in Panama City ahead of time you will save money.

The total amount that you will pay to San Blas Adventures is $399. (Note: Mid-December through Februay it costs $445 per person. Check the calendar for departure dates). This will be paid in 2 installments: a $120 USD deposit online about 2 weeks before your trip, and $279 USD in cash the day before departure.

There are some additional costs you should know about, because it total, you’ll be paying a bit more than what is stated on the San Blas Adventures website.

Below, we’ve broken down all the costs of a San Blas Adventures trip (these are per person costs).

$399: total payment to San Blas Adventures

$30: Jeep ride to the departure point. The journey starts at the small town of Carti on the Panamanian coast, about 3 hours from Panama City. San Blas Adventures works with a transportation service and arranges it for you, but you have to pay them an additional $30 for this.

Visa entrance fee to Colombia (Canadians only have to pay 190,000 COP/$65 USD)

Optional Costs

Beer, Coke or Coconuts on the islands: drinks on the islands are all $2 each. This means if you have 6 beers in 1 night, you’ll end up paying $12. Multiply that by 3 nights and you can expect to budget $36 on beer. Or if you bring your own rum and mixers, you might not spend any money on alcohol on the islands.

Souvenirs: There are a couple opportunities to buy souvenirs from the Kuna people. They sell bracelets and mola (intricate fabric designs), and it is one more way you can support the local community.

We like collecting fabrics, so we bought a mola for $15 USD, which is a pretty fair price considering it takes quite a bit of time to sew these patterns by hand. 

After the trip

$15 per night (at least) for dorm accommodation in Capurganá, private rooms start at $25 per night

Boat and Bus ride to Cartagena* – $60 USD for a 10-hour journey.

*You can also get transportation elsewhere, like Medellin, which cost $50 USD

Total Cost of San Blas Adventures Trip

$399 cost of trip

$30 jeep transportation to departure city

$27 drinks on the islands (what we bought)

$5 snacks/water bought before hand

$15 hotel in Capurganá

$10 food (dinner) in Capurganá

$60 ferry & bus to Capurganá

Total Cost per person from Panama City to Cartagena: $546

The biggest factor in terms of your final cost is how much alcohol you plan to drink. If you purchase all your alcohol beforehand and don’t plan to go too crazy, this cost could be lower. But if you buy beer each day and cans of Coke to mix with your rum, it could be a bigger expense.

Depending on the weather and season, this schedule may vary.

Day 0 (Day before Departure)

You shold plan on being in Panama City the day before your departure, because there is a briefing at 11 a.m. at Luna’s Castle Hostel . The meeting lasts about an hour and they’ll go over the details on the trip (though if you’ve read through this article, you will probably already know most of what they go over). During this briefing, you’ll also pay the remainder of the trip cost.

5 a.m. pickup at your hostel in Panama City (stop at supermarket for bathroom and last-minute snack run)

8:30 a.m. Arrive at departure point around (small restaurant, but not great food or bathroom)

10:15 a.m. Load boats and depart

11:30 a.m. arrive at first island (Pelican Island), relax, snorkel and have lunch prepared by local fisherman, spot starfish

2:30 p.m. depart for 2nd island (this is where you’ll spend the night); relax, play volleyball, snorkel, slackline, shower

6 p.m. seafood dinner at big community table

7 p.m. drinks, card games, and socializing

9 p.m. Bonfire and more drinks into the night

8 a.m. wake up and have breakfast and pack bags

9 a.m. depart for island hopping

11 a.m arrive at island (this is where you’ll spend the night); lay at the beach, snorkel, play volleyball, swim to surrounding islands, slackline, swim with starfish and pufferfish

1 p.m. eat a delicious seafood lunch

2 p.m. more chilling at the beach, volleyball, lay in a hammock, grab a beer

6 p.m. dinner time at big communal table

7 p.m. drinks with group, play cards, watch sunset

9 p.m bonfire and more games

8 a.m. breakfast and pack up bags

10 a.m. arrive at island, chill in a hammock, buy a coconut ($2), swim to other islands, snorkel in crystal clear water

1 p.m. seafood lunch with Kuna-made bread

2 p.m. more relaxing on island

3 p.m. locals arrive with wooden canoes

3:30 p.m. paddle from lunch island to Kuna village where the Kunas are waiting for you. (20-30 minutes)

5 p.m. dance ceremony preformed by local Kuna children

6 p.m. walk through village, say “Hola” to locals and interact with children, play basketball or soccer with kids at the park.

7 p.m. seafood (or chicken) dinner at local Kuna resturant

8:30 p.m. head back to Kuna hotel and sleep in beds in dorm rooms or private rooms for some couples

On the last day of the trip, you will cross from Panama to Colombia. The nice thing is San Blas Adventures takes care of all the immigration fees for leaving Panama because it is built into the cost of yoru ticket. 

First you’ll go to the small town of Puerto Obaldía to get your stamp out of Panama. Now this town is in the middle of nowhere and the border guards don’t have much to do, and what we heard is that they tend to take their time with people crossing to Colombia. 

We were told this checkpoint could take as little as 1 hour or up to 4 hours. Unfortunately for us, the guards we extra particular with our group and it took 3.5 hours for us to get through this spot. 

But once that was over, we took the short 20-minute boat ride to Sapzurro, Colombia! Here we chilled at the beach for a bit, had a delicious leaf-wrapped tamal and then hopped on another boat to Capurganá.

Capurganá is the final destination of San Blas Adventures. This means you will have to arrange your own transportation to Cartagena or Medellin (or wherever else you plan to go next).

Depending on how long the border crossing process takes, you will arrive in the small town in the mid-afternoon, and you will need to stay at least one night. The immigration office is in town, so be sure to go there before it closes to get your entry stamp. 

Typically, San Blas Adventures arranges an optional dinner in town that everyone in our group attended. It was fun seeing everyone showered and wearing something other than a bathing suit! 

There are a handful of hostels in the town, and we would recommend staying 2 nights (unless you’re tight on time). We’d also recommend booking in advance because the last thing you want to do after a long day of being in a boat and crossing the border is to search for a hostel in the mid-afternoon heat.

Katamaran Hostel : After another popular hostel overbooked beds, many people in our group had nowhere to stay. They stumbled upon this hostel located right next to the dock and were rewarded with clean AC rooms, a cool outdoor hangout spot and a super sweet owner who taught us all to salsa dance! For value and location, this is the hostel we’d recommend. 

Acuali Eco Hostel : We stayed in the dorm room with a few other girls from our group, and it was nice. The property was beautiful, the breakfast was really nice and there was a cool outdoor shower. That said, it is located a 15-minute walk from town which is not all that convenient to make in the Caribbean heat. It is nice if you’re looking for somewhere quiet.

This small town on the border of Panama and Colombia is actually a pretty cool place to spend a couple days if you have time. It isn’t super touristy, so explore this hidden gem before it gets more discovered.

Drink fresh juice at stand down the street from the immigration station: there are tons of exotic flavors you’ve probably never heard of. We recommend lulo!

Hike to Sapzurro (2-3 hour one way)

Soak in the natural pools – there is a path along the beach that will lead to natural pools created by the tides.

Go dancing – Capurganá definitely has good nightlife so get ready for a party

Relax at the beach (if you’re not sick of beaches yet!)

It’s important to point out that since San Blas Adventures is one of the only companies that use speedboats, they book up rather far in advance. We met some people on our trip who had friends that wanted to go on this trip with them, but by the time they tried booking, it was already full.

Don’t wait until the last minute! While certain times of the year fill up more quickly than others, it is a good idea to reach out in advance if you know you want to do a San Blas Adventures trip. Be sure to tell them Katie & Ben from Two Wandering Soles sent you!

If they are full, or you’re looking for another way to explore off the coast of Panama, be sure to check out LiveAboard.com . We’ve used them before and are great for finding scuba diving trips or small cruises anywhere in the world.

You might also like…

Cali, Colombia: 6 Reasons Why You’ll Love It

26 Best Things to Do in Cartagena (and What to Eat!)

El Totumo Mud Volcano: Read This Before You Go!

Rosario Islands: Read This Before You Go to Playa Blanca

We were guests of San Blas Adventures, and would like to thank them for their hospitality. And as always, all opinions are our own. 

We want to hear from you

Are you planning on traveling Central America? Have you thought about traveling from Panama to Colombia? Do you have any other questions about San Blas Adventures? Let us know in the comments below!

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Comments (6) on “ San Blas Adventures: Best Boat Trip Panama to Colombia ”

Great info, this site is good reference for those of you want to do day trip to this place.

Absolutely stunning! Thank you on a detailed impressive guide!

Hi, great post! When taking the bus from Cartagena, is this with a backpacking bus company? Are there options to take local buses?

Hi Katie, Hi Ben,

I have posted this a while ago but somehow my post has disappeared… I am happy to hear that you had such a great time in my country!

However, I would like to correct you in one thing because I think this can be helpful for people looking for a cheaper and more authentic way to cross the border: there is more than one company offering the passage from Panama to Colombia or from Colombia to Panama in speed boats and I feel you really should correct this in your article!

My own company, San Blas Frontera, offers multiple-day island hopping trips through the San Blas islands in small groups with a local, authentic promise. We are a pure Kuna company – everyone in our company is from the San Blas islands. We grew up here with our traditions and our heritage and we work closely with our communities. As such, not a single Dollar of the price paid for the trip leaves San Blas but stays in San Blas.

Our most popular trip is for three days but we are fully flexible on extending the stay by arriving a bit earlier or by spending additional days in a Kuna village close to the Colombian border.

Thank you Luis

You have penned it down so well!! This detailed blog will help anyone planning a trip. Thank you.

No problem Ava! Glad you liked it. Are you planning to travel to the San Blas Islands soon?

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How to get from Colombia to Panama by boat: 15 Things I Wish I Knew

There are a few ways to get from Colombia to Panama (or vice versa).

Overland is not one of them!

So, you’re left with these two options:

• An international flights (cheap and fast, yet boring)
• An ocean crossing by boat from Colombia to Panama (expensive and slower, yet adventurous)

I chose the latter!

Was it worth the money? And was the boat ride as rough as people say it is? I answer these questions and a whole lot more in this epic guide to 15 things I wish I knew about going from Colombia to Panama by boat.

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December to April is the windy season

The windy season starts in December and continues until April.

This is considered a good time to travel by boat from Panama to Colombia as there is no rain. But you’ll have to make a compromise and deal with the wind instead.

Taking the sailboat vs speedboat from Panama to Colombia

There are two ways to make the crossing. The first is by speedboat, the other is by sailboat.

The sailboat takes a different route from the speedboat and is more exposed to the elements.

During the open ocean crossing, you won’t leave the sailboat for 32 to 46 hours. The constant rocking due to rough sea conditions often leads to severe cases of seasickness.

Because of this, many people choose the speedboat instead.

With the speedboat, you spend less time on the water and more time on land. Your starting point is closer to the San Blas Islands, and you sleep on these islands (and not the boat).

But it’s still a hell of a bumpy ride

I hate to break it to you, if you’re crossing from Panama to Colombia by boat, there’s no escaping the rough oceans. This is only during the windy season, of course!

“But what about the speedboat option?” you might ask.

It’s still bumpy AF!

I was not prepared for what was in store for me. Looking back, I can only laugh at how naive I was in thinking an ocean crossing would be a smooth ride.

When our guides gave us snorkeling masks, I thought they were joking. I can now confirm that they were not! These masks saved the day.

You will get soaking wet. Our speedboat was taking hard knocks and yes, some people still got seasick!

This was my experience in February so rather expect the worst but hope for the best.

You’re only on the boat for 2 to 3 hours per day

The speedboat crossing starts (or ends, depending on your route) in Capurgana in Colombia (not Cartagena).

This means you’re a lot closer to the San Blas Islands and have less distance to cover over the ocean.

You’ll stay on the islands and won’t be on the boat for more than 3 hours per day.

So yes, the conditions can be rough, but it won’t be for more than a few hours.

Instagram vs reality: The truth about going from Colombia to Panama by boat

The San Blas Islands are incredible. But as with all things in travel, there are two sides… The one you see on Instagram and the reality!

We explored the most pristine and picturesque islands during our trip. Palm trees, sandy shores, turquoise waters.

But it won’t be perfect all day, every day.

Here’s my reality! On day two of our crossing, we stopped off at a small sandbank in the middle of the San Blas. On a bright sunny day, this would have been the most spectacular location.

But on a windy, overcast day, it was a different story.

With no shelter, there was no escaping the harsh conditions. The entire group lay hopelessly on the floor waiting for the go-ahead to leave the island. It wasn’t exactly the island paradise I had expected.

It’s travel in the best way

Taking the boat from Panama to Colombia is certainly not for everyone. It’s not luxurious nor is it comfortable.

But it’s the best way to travel if you’re looking for adventure.

You’ve just got to be realistic and be open to all experiences you might have. Embrace it!

Which company to book with

If you take the sailboat option, you’ll be spoiled with choices when it comes to boat operators. There are numerous vessels available that offer different levels of comfort.

However, when it comes to the speedboat, you’re not left with many options.

San Blas Adventures is the most popular operator that manages speedboat trips from Panama to Colombia. They offer regular trips, are a safe and reputable company, and work with the local communities.

I booked my San Blas tour with them and have based this post on my experience. I personally paid for it myself and they didn’t know that I was a travel blogger – so you’re going to get the real and raw version!

Your San Blas Adventure officially starts in Sapzurro

When traveling from Colombia to Panama, the sailboats depart from Cartagena in Colombia.

The speedboats do not!

Instead, the speedboat tours depart from a small town called Sapzurro close to the Panama/Colombia border.

It’s not really a 3 night / 4 day tour

San Blas Adventures advertise their crossing from Panama to Colombia as a 3 night / 4 day adventure.

And technically, it is. But if you book your trip with them, you’ll need 5 nights / 6 days.

Because it takes two days to get from Cartagena to Sapzurro, the starting point of your speedboat crossing.

So, remember to keep 2 additional nights free in your itinerary. I didn’t! This meant my time in Cartagena came to an end sooner than I had planned.

The speedboat is not the cheaper option

A reason why many people choose the San Blas Adventures boat from Panama to Colombia is that it’s supposedly the cheaper option (compared to the sailboat).

Yes – the upfront costs that you pay directly to San Blas Adventures is cheaper than the sailboat.

But these costs only include your travel and food from Sapzurro, Colombia to Carti, Panama. Nothing else.

There are other mandatory costs, like the additional 2 days of travel expenses and local taxes. These all add up and eventually make the speedboat trip more or less the same price as the sailboat.

Actual costs for San Blas Adventures boat from Colombia to Panama

The San Blas Adventures boat from Panama to Colombia is advertised as $495 for the 3 day / 4 night tour.

You’ll pay a small deposit, and the balance needs to be paid in cash (USD only) when you meet the team in Capurgana.

Here are the additional expenses that you will incur. There’s no avoiding these costs!

• Kuna Yala Entrance taxes: $20
• 4×4 Taxi from Carti to Panama City: $30
• Bus from Cartagena to Necocli: 100 000 COP
• Accommodation in Necocli: 50 000 COP
• Boat from Necocli to Capurgana: 85 000 COP
• Boat from Capurgana to Sapzurro: 20 000 COP
• Accommodation in Sapzurro: 50 000 COP
• Water, black bags to cover your items, snacks, beer: 120 000 COP

In total, you’re looking at about $620 for the boat from Panama to Colombia with San Blas Adventures.

Necocli is the gateway to the Darien Gap

Wondering why tourists don’t travel from Colombia to Panama by land? The Darien Gap is the reason!

It’s one of the world’s most dangerous migration routes.

Despite the presence of drug cartels, extortion by criminal groups, and risks of sexual assault, thousands of people, young and old, try crossing the Darien Gap to get further north into the USA.

You will witness the extent of this when you get on your boat from Necocli to Capurgana. Most migrants depart from this very same dock, carrying all their most valuable belongings in one small bag.

It broke my heart to see this firsthand and I’ve since become so much more aware of the struggle’s migrants face.

So be kind to people you meet, always. You don’t know what journey they’ve been on to get there and what hardships they may face in the coming days.

You’ll get to interact with the local communities

By choosing the speedboat option, you’ll spend each night on the San Blas Islands. You’ll visit the local communities that call the islands home and learn more about their way of life.

This was an incredible experience. We danced with the kids and played games with them. We also got to learn more about how the Kuna Yala live, their struggles and triumphs as well as how they fit into Panamanian culture.

It was fascinating!

You’ll need to wrap all your bags in plastic

If there is one thing I didn’t like about crossing from Panama to Colombia by boat, it was that you have to wrap all your luggage in black plastic bags. And with numerous layers!

This is to prevent your things from getting wet.

You can buy these black bags and tape from the local vendors at the port in Necocli or Carti (depending on where you’re starting from).

The accommodation on the San Blas Islands is basic

Some nights you’ll sleep in hammocks, others you’ll have dorm-style rooms available.

The facilities are rustic and basic, but that’s what you’re signing up for.

Thoughts on how to get from Colombia to Panama by boat

My boat trip from Colombia to Panama was one of the highlights of my 6-month backpacking trip.

Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s rough. But the memories I have and the friendships I made will stay with me forever!

Are you planning of traveling from Colombia to Panama by boat? Drop me a message in the comments section below if you have any questions.

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Hi, I'm Carryn. I’m an adventure travel blogger trying to figure out my way through life by traveling and exploring. Join me as I share my travel guides and tips for life abroad. Find out more about me here .

The Best Cozumel Dive Sites: Epic Swim throughs, fast drift dives & vibrant marine life

Guide to scuba diving isla mujeres: best dive sites and more, leave a comment cancel reply.

Experience a relaxing travel tour, dive into crystal clear waters, discover deserted islands, sleep in ocean front cabins, meet the Kuna Yala people with our amazing boat trip in the San Blas Islands.

A truly unique experience If you’re visiting Panama this trip is definitely a must. The tour company takes care of all the logistics: shuttle to the islands and boat transportation. Remember to bring your Panama hat and sunscreen because it is hot!!

The most fun you’ll ever have on an island! After traveling through some winding roads from Panama City, we arrived at a dock to take us to the islands. We met a man named Manuel, who instantly became a close friend and exciting tour guide. He speaks several languages and had a wonderful attitude to adjust me and my friend to island paradise!

3 nights tour in San Blas islands We spent 3 nights travelling 5 islands and we loved every part of the trip. I’m sure you can get more but for the price we paid, we loved all we got.

PARTNER LOGOS

BOAT FROM PANAMA TO COLOMBIA

The ultimate san blas islands trip, your san blas island adventure starts here.

Step into another world with our 3-day island hopping boat trip from Panama to Colombia .

Forget sailing through rough seas, with our trip you will be spending the majority of your time exploring tropical islands and an ancient culture. We travel in a typical speedboat along all 365 of the San Blas islands , taking you to uninhabited, tropical islands that noone else goes to, to colorful coral reefs and to Kuna villages where you can get up close with our indigenous Kuna culture. Time on the boat is limited to 2-3 hours per day, instead you’ll be soaking up the sun and beaches!

Panama to Colombia off the beaten track

As a local business, we invite you onto the trip of your lifetime: explore in a small group the best the San Blas islands have to offer while supporting the local communities and making connections with like-minded travelers.

• Visit deserted islands
• Explore an indigenous culture
• Sleep in traditional cabins on the beach
• Support local communities
• Small groups
• Local Kuna guides knowledgable in our culture
• Delicious seafood

What to expect

We travel in a speed boat from island to island , starting in Cartí in San Blas, Panama, to Sapzurro in Colombia . Travel times between islands are short – we want to maximize island time.

The trip fare includes the boat ride, all meals, accommodation in traditional cabins on two islands, stops on islands and villages and support for crossing the border into Colombia.

Start in Carti, San Blas. Discover some of the most beautiful of the San Blas islands. At night, sleep in a traditional cabin right next to the beach and enjoy the endless night sky.

Today, we explore the Kuna culture. We visit a Kuna village for lunch and will sleep in a Kuna village at night. Learn about our traditional dances and lifestyle.

After a final island stop, we hop onto the boat and towards Colombia. We take care of the complex border formalities for you when leaving Panama. Our tour ends in the afternoon in Sapzurro, Colombia.

Hear from our guests

Living and traveling through Kuna culture was one of the most incredible sensations found on this overland journey in Central America

It was a fun three-day trip full of authentic experiences and impressions that are rarely found anywhere else in the world.

“I opted to use the services of a Kuna-based company, San Blas Frontera, to be sure that my money would end up staying within the community . As well as meeting the Kuna communities , I was also lucky enough to enjoy the beautiful, sandy beach with not a care in the world. A different sunny island for each day of the year – definitely something I could get used to!”

We had a unique and unforgettable evening and are very grateful that we could be part of it ! Thanks to Luis and his company!

Discount 10% Off

Book your ultimate San Blas Islands boat tour from Panama to Colombia now – we offer early bird specials and discounts for large groups!

San Blas Sailing – Panama to Colombia via the San Blas Islands with Ave Maria Sailing

There’s a very good reason why we decided to go on a San Blas sailing trip – For anyone looking to travel from Central to South America via the Pan American Highway will ultimately run into the same barrier – The Darien Gap, a huge area of dense jungle and swamp, 160km long and 50 km wide, separating Panama from Colombia, making conventional road travel between the two countries practically impossible. So, it’s safe to say that this was not going to be the route for us! This left us with the choice between flying, or finding a sailboat to take us on a San Blas sailing trip from Portobello,  Panama to Cartagena, Colombia!

NOTE – To arrange to sail with Ave Maria, you need to contact them directly –  [email protected]   or call Panamá + 507 608 94802/ Colombia + 57 314 887 3353

We are simply bloggers who traveled with Ave Maria and loved it (read on to see for yourself!) We do not organize bookings!

San Blas Sailing with Ave Maria – Panama to Colombia – Colombia to Panama

• Fly from Panama City to a city in Colombia. You can find cheap flights on Skyscanner , but you can still expect to pay $200 to USD 300 p/person.
• The most relaxing and enjoyable – Take a private sailing boat for five days across the Caribbean from Panama to Cartagena via the incredible San Blas Islands – $525 to $575 p/person.

We chose number 2!

Table of Contents

San Blas Sailing – Panama to Cartagena via the San Blas Islands

We had decided that we wanted to experience crossing the Caribbean by sailboat, but most of the boats we found appeared to be ‘backpacker party boats’ with 15 to 20 people crammed in like sardines, sleeping on the deck, on the floor, on each other – Not for us! We’re also not really into the backpacker party scene anymore, so that was another no-no.

Most of the prices for these San Blas sailing trips ranged from $525 to $575 per person, including three meals a day, 4-5 days sailing time, with 2-3 of those days in the San Blas Islands.

There is one company offering a San Blas sailing trip for $375 by speedboat, with basic accommodation on one of the San Blas Islands instead of on a boat, but with a little more research we found that the cost ends up being much the same, as you finish far from Cartagena. The price doesn’t include water, transport to the departure point ($35) or entry charges to some of the areas ($25). You also then need to consider the onward transport to Cartagena ($75), plus several days’ food and accommodation, so the total cost is the same as an all-inclusive San Blas sailboat experience to Cartagena .

WARNING – It’s unfortunately quite common for some agencies and hostels to tell you that a boat you want to book has canceled their trip, is broken, or even to make up bad stories about them, to steer you towards boats that offer them the most commission. Always check for real customer reviews on Trip Advisor, do your research and make up your mind.

We recommend trying to contact individual boats directly. If they are at sea, then you will have to send them an email or Facebook message. Otherwise, use a local phone or Skype to call them.

This left us with privately owned sailboats, catering to smaller numbers of passengers and a more relaxing, personal experience. There are a handful of boats offering a trip like this, but few of those have their website, and it can be hard to contact the owners themselves, as they are often at sea and use travel agents and hostels to get their bookings.

After several days searching for San Blas sailing boats online, in hostels and with various agencies, we came across a picture of a classic looking sailboat, with twin masts, timber deck and trims and sleek, slender lines, anchored in crystal clear turquoise waters between two palm-fringed desert islands. AVE MARIA was etched into the stern in elegant, antique lettering. It was beautiful, and we wanted it! We had found our boat; now we just had to find the captain. Unbelievably, an internet search brought up the website for the boat and its captain, with San Blas sailing trips running between Panama and Cartagena, via the San Blas Islands, including one leaving the next day from Portobello, about 2 hours from Panama City. We called the cell phone number, and they had two spaces available, so we grabbed the opportunity and packed our bags again. Here’s how our amazing San Blas sailing journey went with Ave Maria Sailing.

Day 1 – Panama City to Portobello – Setting Sail to the San Blas Islands

So, we just had to get to the port of Portobello by 10 am the following day, 4 th of June. Getting to from Panama City to Portobello is relatively cheap and easy – there is a bus from Albrook Station to Colon City which takes less than 2 hours and costs about $5, then another bus to Portobello for about $1. Easy! If you feel like splashing out, then you can get a yellow taxi which could cost you anywhere from $60 to $100, depending on your Spanish and your negotiating skills.

We arrived at 10 am and met up with Captain Paul, an Australian who has been living in Colombia and offering San Blas sailing trips for the past five years. We gave him our passports to take to the port authority to stamp us out of Panama; then we had a few hours to spend exploring Portobello, which is packed full of history, ruins, and stories of Spanish gold and pirates! We stocked up on beer and wine and extra snacks to take with us and waited until our 4 pm departure time when we jumped in a launch boat to take us out to the Ave Maria. She was just as beautiful as in the pictures, classic and streamlined with a white hull, Teak deck, and wood trimmings. Paul and Sindry helped us up onto the deck, and we stowed our big backpacks into the hold, keeping just a small day bag with a couple of t-shirts and some toiletries.

At 50 feet long the Ave Maria sailing boat has the capacity for eight passengers + plus two crew, with everyone having their bed! Four beds in the bow cabin, two double beds and one single in the mid cabin and the dining area convert to sleeping space for the final person. We only had four people + 2 crew on our trip, ourselves and a young Swiss couple who are also traveling the world. With light wind, Paul fired up the engine and left Portobello for the open Caribbean. Sindry cooked an amazing beef stew dinner, and we all fell asleep pretty early after that. Paul stayed up awake at the wheel, sailing 16 hours through the night to reach the San Blas Islands so that we would have a full days there to enjoy ourselves!

Day 2 – Arrival at San Blas Islands – Coco Banderas and our first Culo de Pollo!

We woke early with the rocking motion of the Ave Maria as she glided up, down and across the waves. When we climbed out onto the deck, we could already see an archipelago of small San Blas islands in the distance – clusters of palms hovering on the surface of the shimmering water encircled by white-sand halos, like an epitome of lonely bliss. This was exactly what we had come for! Sindry prepared a fresh and healthy breakfast of muesli, cereal and fresh fruit, which we ate outside in the cleansing salty air. As we arrived at our first stop, Coco Banderas, the weather began to turn.

Dark clouds and bickering gusts of cold winds surrounded the islands, and the choppy water pitched the boat up and down. This was nothing to worry about as the Ave Maria can handle massive storms, and we were already anchored down between two islands. The brief yet intense storm, which lasted for about one hour, is known as a Culo de Pollo, or Chicken’s Ass, for its characteristic erratic winds, chasing around in all directions. As soon as the storm was over, the wind died down, the sun broke the clouds, and the sea was restored to shimmering turquoise glass, clear all the way to the sandy floor below. Several other boats had chosen the same spot to shelter, but they continued on their way once all was clear again.

We spent the day diving off the boat into the warm sea, exploring the little islands and snorkeling around the shallow reefs that partially enclose the area. Local Kuna fishermen dive here for crabs, langoustines, and lobsters, which you can buy fresh out of their boats for just several dollars each! While we were snorkeling we saw huge shoals of tiny bait fish and red-nosed pencil fish, then as we swam back around to the beach, we saw a huge manta ray – two meters wide – and a smaller stingray!

For lunch, we had freshly caught fish, which Paul had reeled in from the back of the boat during the night, cooked up with a mixture of other fresh, delicious seafood, all prepared by Sindry!  The afternoon was passed with more of the same simple pleasures until we watched the sun set behind the island, casting oranges, reds, and purples across the sky. We spent the night anchored in the same spot, talking amongst ourselves and eating yet another amazing home-cooked dinner.

Day 3 – San Blas Islands BBQ and night time sea turtles

The morning was completely peaceful, any other boats that had been in the area had vanished, and we had three whole islands all to ourselves! Sindry made us breakfast with fresh fruit and scrambled eggs on toast. The two best things about a San Blas sailing trip (apart from sailing) are the San Blas Islands and the food, so we swam to the nearest island to gather driftwood for a beach fire BBQ.

The sun had dried everything out pretty quickly, and we had a big fire going just off the beach using nothing but driftwood, palm leaves and dried coconut shells. Sindry prepared everything in the Ave Maria and brought it over to the island in the little dingy; marinated pork chops; avocado salad, potatoes, olive oil and home-made balsamic salad dressing. With a simple hot plate laid on the fire, we had an instant grill for the pork chops, which were some of the best I’ve ever tasted!

Later that afternoon, a local Kuna came by in his boat with some giant langoustines, freshly caught that day, which Paul and Sindry prepared for dinner with pasta and sauce, with crusty bread that evening.

During the night, just as everyone was thinking about sleeping, two massive sea turtles started swimming around the boat, feeding on the algae growing on the underside of the hull, then surfacing to take deep noisy breaths. They stayed around for about 2 hours, and all the while manta rays were jumping out of the water and flying several meters into the air! Paul and Sindry said this was really unusual for this part of the San Blas Islands and they’d never seen this kind of activity before!

Day 4 – New San Blas Islands and ‘the big question!’

Our last day in the San Blas Islands before heading back out into the open Caribbean, to end our San Blas sailing trip with a 34 hour non-stop journey to Cartagena.

After breakfast in the morning, we pulled up the anchor and headed deeper into the archipelago to another group of islands, with more reefs and peaceful, warm water. We made the most of the swimming and snorkeling and explored the larger island closest to the boat.

After a burrito and salad lunch, while everyone was chilling out on the boat, I paddled Kach and me out to the island in the dinghy, and we took a walk along the beach to take some photos. We sat down on a big driftwood tree, and that’s when I gave her a ring I had found in Istria, Croatia just a week before and asked her to marry me. Luckily she said yes, and now we’re engaged! Apparently, we are the first engagement on an Ave Maria sailing trip! We all celebrated with some drinks on the deck and chilled out again until we were ready to start the long journey to Cartagena and set sail that night.

Day 5 – San Blas Islands to Cartagena, Colombia

More great food, conversation, reading and episodes of Game of Thrones kept us occupied on the day and a half journey, and we even took shifts steering the boat along the way. The rain came and went, and so did the hours; it’s incredible how time passes when you have no idea what time it is!

We all slept quite early and woke up as we pulled into the Boca Grande port of Cartagena at about 4 am the next day. We were there just in time to see the sunrise over the city, which was one of the most beautiful mornings we’ve ever seen. There was no rush to get off of the boat, we had breakfast and packed our things before piling ourselves and our luggage into the dinghy. With all four of us on dry, Colombian land for the first time, we said goodbye to Captain Paul, Sindry, and the Ave Maria – Our San Blas sailing trip was officially over!

We were so glad that we had chosen the Ave Maria for our San Blas sailing adventure – Great people, great food, great company, beautiful classic sailboat, spectacular San Blas Islands!

CONTACT EMAIL –  [email protected]

To find out more about Ave Maria Sailing and to book a San Blas Sailing trip, you need to contact them directly – email:  [email protected]   or call Panamá + 507 608 94802/ Colombia + 57 314 887 3353.

You can check their scheduled journeys through their website .

We loved Paul, Sindry, and the Ave Maria so much that we negotiated a special deal for Two Monkeys Travel readers!

Normal Rate: $550/ person but our discounted rate: $525 per person for individuals or $500 per person for groups of 6 people or more (Ask around your dorm!)  Bonus; FREE cocktail each sunset in San Blas.

All you need to do is mention Two Monkeys Travel when making your reservation. This offer is available for direct bookings only (not through agencies or hostels)

(All aspects of your trip are the concern of Ave Maria Sailing. We receive no money from this offer, we just really enjoyed our trip with them, and so we wanted to share that with you too!)

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47 thoughts on “ San Blas Sailing – Panama to Colombia via the San Blas Islands with Ave Maria Sailing ”

Thank you for this wonderful post and congrats on your engagement! We’re researching different sailing companies for our upcoming trip and might have found the winner!

What great place to propse. Awesome san blas adventure you had.

The first engagement happened in the area, Jhen. San Blas is full of adventures and a romantic spot. Sure you will also love the islands.

Sounds like a great trip guy and congratulations on the engagement!

We loved our time on the San Blas Islands and really want more people to experience their beauty.

You just made me brain travel with your photos and detailed info. Thanks for sharing and this is on my to visit list.

Our pleasure, ThisKenyanTraveler. Let us know when will you do San Blas sailing and maybe we can give some tips. Just drop a comment here if you have some queries.

Sounds like an awesome trip and perfect time to pop the question.. Congratulations!!

San Blas sailing was an awesome trip, EG III.

Everything looks gorgeous but pricey! It looks like you did a lot! I,hope you had fun on,your trip. 🙂

The price is reasonable, Style With Tina, with what we had experience. 🙂 We had fun in exploring San Blas islands.

It must be amazing traveling the world, I could only dream of having the privilege to get up and go. Lovely photos.

It’s amazing, especially if you got to experience wonderful places like Sa Blas islands. #dreamsdocometrue, Kenia.

I am so jealous. That’s why I love these type of blogs, they make me travel with my mind and dream! The pictures are really amazing, I wish I would have the opportunity to fly away for a while!

Don’t be jealous, Kalliopi, Sooner or later you will have your own adventure. Consider San Blas islands in your travels.

I think that $500 for a sailing trip like this is not bad at all. The boat seems perfect for a small group trip, or maybe a family get away and the experience of a bbq on board must be priceless. The water looks stunning, especially that picture where you are floating above sea stars.

Joanna, 500$ was a good deal. The whole experience of San Blas sailing was priceless. And yes, this is perfect for a family or friends getaway. Bring your family in San Blas islands. 🙂

What a great sailing adventure you had! Your photos are so inspiring, I’d like to go there one day! Pinned your post for the future! Congratulations on your engagement! So romantic!

Thank you Eugenia. Appreciate your lovely comment and for pinning this post. Hope you will have your adventure soon. Better start in San Blas islands. yay!

Sailing trip sounds a great way of doing a trip, esepcially if you can visit islands, eating fresh seafood, and the blue water with amazing creature like the turtle. Your post absolutely fabolous, you give very clear details of information about the sailing trip. By the way, congratulation for your engagement.

Exactly, Rose! Every part of the San Blas sailing was a blast. Hehe. The food, the people, and the islands are all awesome

What a cool new experience. I think I’d like going on a sailing adventure like this. I didn’t know you’d be able to do so much!

It’s almost a week of wonderful adventure sailing in San Blas islands, Liz.

Congratulations on getting engaged! So adorable to make it happen during your trip to such a paradisaical place. We never thought about Colombia before, but you make me want to go there someday and the idea of taking the boat in the Caribbean is a good one.. Thank you for sharing this.

Thank you, Nya! It’s an overwhelming experience. San Blas sailing is definitely a trip worth to try.

Wow this looks like so much fun and a must do. San Blas Islands is now on my bucket list. These images are gorgeous. That turtle pic is just awesome. Reminds me of Hawaii somehow

Great decision to include San Blas Islands on your bucket list, IamVagabond. Looking forward to the time you will tick it off. From then, happy sailing! 🙂

Looks like a lot of fun! My husband has been dying to go sailing! Maybe one day! Congrats on the engagement!

Then you should do San Blas sailing with your husbdand, Carrie. You will have a great time.

Your blog inspires me to pursue my dream of travel and I hope to one day be able to travel the same roads as you. Even better you were able to watch Game of Thrones on the trip too!

#dreamsdocometrue Ana! 🙂 San blas sailing might be your first trip! 🙂

I love the photographs. It sure seems that water travel is great. Have to try it once . 🙂

Thank you, Subhadrika. You should really try it and San Blas sailing is a great choice for water travel adventure.

This is super inspiring, hope to be able to do exactly the same in the future! Great images by the way 🙂

You will, Nicolas! 🙂 Sure you will have a great San Blas sailing and explore these wonderful islands.

Wow, this looks like such an amazing trip! I’ve seen giant turtles before but not that close – they are lovely creatures. How exciting for you! And congratulations on your engagement 🙂

A spectacular moment, Rosie. The whole San Blas sailing experience was exciting!

Wow! What an amazing journey! I love that you chose the sail for 5 days option too! You’ve come away wth so many memories and such a great experinecen congatulations on your engagement!!!

Thank you Francesca, It was really a great choice and no regret at all. San Blas sailing is definietely among the best experiences we had.

Panama already figures in my bucket list. San Blas Islands looks divine and being proposed at such a magical place would have made it all the more memorable. Many congratulations on your engagement, dear! 🙂

Felt romantic and magical, Ratisha. San Blas sailing was really memorable and will definitely want to visit the islands again.

The idea of that cramped sail boat sounds awful! And great heads up about the scams! What a unique adventure you’ve been on from preparing and eating fresh fish on board to experiencing the islands with nobody else around. You were lucky to have a captain like you had too but most importantly CONGRATS on your engagement. What a place and journey to propose on! Certainly unforgettable for you both!

Thank you, Amy! San Blas Sailing was such an adventure and indeed unforgettable. 🙂

wow!! Such a beautiful place. Hope you Guys really enjoyed there.

There are cheap flights from Panama City to Cartagena, via Bogotà. I paid no more than 150 USD for that. Besides, Viva Colombia also has cheap flights to Bogotà and Medellin. And since February there is also a ferry service that connects Colon to Cartagena, twice per week.

How do I know? Because I ended up in a really BAD sailing boat. Just from the pictures, yours look much better than the one I took. Despite my efforts to make some good research, I ended up on a 12 meters sail boat with 9 more persons – including the crew. Yes, that means 10 persons on 12 meters – something I found out only when we finally got on the boat, as until the day before the captain ensured me that there would be 6 of us. It was unbearably crowded. We did not have a table to sit and eat, because the deck was all covered with our belongings. I got really sea sick but I think that if we had had a bit more space it would not have been so bad, as I could have laid down.

I ended up abandoning the boat as soon as we arrived in Porvenir, and getting back to Panama City to then fly to Cartagena!!

Good you guys had a better experience.

Hello Claudia, sorry just now we were on a boat again from Leticia to Manaus! Anyway, do you know the name of your boat company? That’s what we’ve heard too from other tourists and we’re not party people anymore so we were boat hesitant taking the boat, just lucky that we’re able to connect directly to the owner and it’s one of the best trips we’ve taken! Thanks for sharing your story, hope we can warn others too! Positive vibes!

I don’t have it. I was searching for a boat and then saw in the hostel that there was a flier. The guy had not really set up a company yet. I wish I could write a review for that. His name is Ian and he’s Canadian. Perhaps you came across him?

not sure, we’ve talked to a lot of people and even checked this popular hostel there but some of them are rude. Anyway, the ferry stopped in the last few months and i think they will resume in the 3rd quarter of this year. We also checked viva colombia before as an option instead of san blas, good thing we didnt fly because it’s indeed a great experience! =) Enjoy your travels Claudia!! =)

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DISCLOSURE: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links. So when you make a purchase we sometimes make a small commission, at no extra cost to you. The cost to you remains the same, sometimes even cheaper if we have negotiated a special deal for our readers.We use all of the companies we have listed here and that’s why they are in this list, but of course we need to keep Two Monkeys Travel Group running as well as it can, which is exactly what you’re helping with if you do decide to buy or book something through an affiliate link! If you have any more questions about the companies we use or any other companies you’re looking at, just email us and we’ll be happy to help. Please see our full disclaimer page for more information.

Written by Kach Umandap

Founder of Two Monkeys Travel Group. Since 2013, Kach has visited all the 7 continents (including Antarctica) and 151 countries using her Philippines Passport. In 2016, she bought a sailboat and went on sailing adventures with her two cats - Captain Ahab & Little Zissou in the Caribbean for 2 years. She now lives in Herceg Novi, Montenegro where she's enjoying her expat life and living on a gorgeous Stonehouse. She writes about her experiences traveling as a Filipina traveler with a PHL Passport. Also tips on backpacking trips, luxury hotel experiences, product reviews, sailing & adventure travel.

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How to Get from Panama to Colombia: Sailing San Blas Islands

Planning a Central and South America trip and looking for an adventure? How about sailing from Panama to Colombia via some of the world’s most beautiful tropical islands?

Sounds pretty great, right?

Spoiler alert: it is. However, there are a few things to be aware of. While the idea of travelling by sailboat on the open blue seems like a romantic and exciting way to travel, six days of boat life including 40+ hours on open water isn’t for everyone. So, if you are curious about the experience and looking for some honest insight, this is for you. Here’s how to get from Panama to Colombia by sailing the San Blas Islands- and everything to expect in between.

How to get from Panama to Colombia  

While land border crossings are easy in many places of the world, including other parts of Central and South America, it is not possible to cross by land between Panama and Colombia. At least not as a tourist.

There is, in fact, a single land border called the Darièn Gap, however, it is known as one of the unsafest land crossings in the world. While some may refer to it as a ‘road’ the fact is the highway that was meant to be was never completed. Instead, the Darièn Gap spans roughly 95 kilometres (about 60 miles) through incredibly dense jungle. No bridges, no cellphone service, and no infrastructure.

If a dangerous jungle trek isn’t enough to convince you, the knowledge of violent gangs that live in the area and often prey on those who try to cross will. Unfortunately, many South American citizens (and even citizens of other countries) still try. They pay exorbitant fees to local ‘guides’ to lead them through to the other side where they hope to make their way north for a better life. Yet despite their hopes, many don’t make it. The crossing has become a major concern with the Human Rights Watch and the UN keeps tabs on it. The hope is that both the Panamanian and Colombian governments will step in. However, for now, it remains an unsafe ‘no man’s land’ that neither country wants to get involved in.

As a result, for tourism purposes, if you want to travel between Panama and Colombia your options are to fly or go by boat. Flying is easy, but if you are up for a bit of an adventure and want to spend some time in one of the most beautiful parts of Panama, then I suggest taking the boat from Panama to Colombia via the San Blas Islands.

Panama to Colombia: Speed Boat or Sailboat

There are two options to get from Colombia to Panama (and vice versa) by boat. The fastest is by speed boat. This is a popular choice for those who worry about getting seasick or maybe don’t have quite as much time. The trips are shorter as the mode of transportation is much faster. You still get island time, often sleeping in hammocks. However, I have heard it can still be pretty rough and bumpy and cramped- and sometimes people still do get sick. You are, after all, on the open water. Just not for as long.

The second option, which is what I did, is by sailboat. The journey takes about 6 days (weather/conditions permitting). It’s about 10 hours sailing to the San Blas Islands from the mainland, 3 days on the islands, and then 40+ hours straight sailing on the open blue once you leave the San Blas Islands. The boat serves as transportation, accommodation, and your dining room.

Sailing from Panama to Colombia Via the San Blas Islands: What to Expect

I’ll start by saying sailboat adventure sounds a little more luxurious than the speedboat option. After all, you get to sleep on the boat rather than in a hammock and it is a sailboat which is fancy, right?

Well, not so much. It really depends on the boat.

I’ll be honest. While I had an amazing time, it was not at all what I expected. I’m used to t he sailboat I rent in Greece for my group trips which is small and basic but comfortable. The boat we chose to go from Panama to Colombia, The Wildcard, however, is best described as a floating hostel dorm in a budget backpacker hostel.

Picture this: 20 people, 2 toilets, no showers, random bed allocations (including some shared situations with strangers), and basically zero privacy.  

Hey, I warned you: it was an adventure.

That being said, it was kept very clean and we all spent very little time downstairs in our ‘bunks’ anyway.

The top of the boat had a big deck with cushions and bean bag chairs. This is where we spent most of the time when we were on board. Meals (which by the way, were incredible) were served here as well. When the sun got high we created a little tent-like canopy to hide in the shade and some people even chose to sleep on the deck under the stars.

On the island days, we left the boat and spent the day swimming, snorkelling, and sunbathing. We had beach BBQs, played frisbee and volleyball on the shore, and drank fresh coconuts sold by the local Kuna, the indigenous people of Panama who live on and own the islands.

If I could compare it to anything it would be like camping. Adventurous, basic, low-maintenance. Not something I want to do long term, but I had an amazing time doing it and am glad for the experience.

About the San Blas Islands

The San Blas Islands are a beautiful Archipelago in Panama on the Caribbean side. There are more than 350 total islands but less than 50 are actually inhabited. These islands are considered a remote paradise. Life is slow here with little to do other than enjoy the water and the beach. Nap in a hammock, read on the beach, and snorkel the reefs. There’s quite a bit of marine life to see in the islands including sharks (I saw nurse sharks and reef sharks), rays, various reef fish, and dolphins. There are also crocodiles in the area (not joking) so don’t swim at night. However, do look at the water after dark because there is bioluminescence.

The islands are home to the native Kuna people, and while they do not live on every island they do own them so you need to be respectful at all times. Some islands will have food and drink for sale, others have accommodation options, and some are completely wild with no buildings at all. No matter what island you are on, remember that this is someone’s land. Cutting coconuts, for example, can cost you up to $100. They also have very strict rules about drones (many families don’t allow it and will charge you) so I didn’t bother bringing mine.  

Sailing from Panama to Colombia: Cost & Inclusions

Each boat has its own cost. The one I booked, Wildcard, was $660 USD (January 2024). I had to pay a $60 USD deposit to secure my space via PayPal and then I paid the rest in cash to the captain when I arrived. Again, this was a very basic boat and there are some other options that are a little nicer for a higher cost. It’s worth doing your research. I booked via BlueSailing which works with several operators so you can take a look at the options there.

For our tour, I paid extra for pickup in Panama City ($25 USD) and then did the 2-hour drive to the coast where we met with the boat. All meals for the duration of the trip were included and, again, the meals were amazing. Our chef, Manu, was a fantastic cook who made everything from hummus and tabbouleh to a lobster dinner- all in the tiny boat kitchen. Drinking water was accessible but anything else you needed to bring yourself (including alcohol if you want).

We all had a bunk with bedsheets but no towels or toiletries were provided. I made sure to choose a voyage that ended in Cartagena (there are others that end in another part of Colombia) and the trip also included all the immigration work. As a Canadian, I have to pay a visa fee for Colombia and the service did end up making me pay in cash rather than on a credit card which was how I was originally told I would pay. Thankfully, I did have the cash on me but they did upcharge me a bit which wasn’t ideal. However, nothing I could do.

What to Pack

As you can expect, with a dorm-like setup there is very little room for luggage so you’ll just want to bring the basics on board. Don’t worry though, your big suitcases and backpacks will be safely stowed in a dry space underneath. That being said, they still recommend you take any tech stuff out, just in case.

You are living on a boat in the islands for 6 days so forget about looking cute and fashionable. To be brutally honest, you’ll likely be pretty disgusting at the end too so don’t worry about re-wearing clothes so you have clean ones at the other end. Bring a couple of swimsuits (and maybe rash guards!), a couple of shirts and shorts and maybe a light sweater or long sleeve for evenings- especially if you want to sleep on the deck. The same goes with toiletries- bring the basics. And I really mean basics. Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap. Don’t expect to be able to shave or do a proper skincare routine.

Other essentials you should pack for sailing from Panama to Colombia include:

• A quick dry towel or sarong that you can use as a towel
• Reusable water bottle . An insulated one is your best bet to keep things cold.
• A reef safe sunscreen (lots of it)
• Sunscreen lip balm
• Aloe gel in case you get burnt (you probably will)
• Snorkel and mask: Boats often have some you can borrow but not enough for everyone.
• US dollars- Tips for the crew and to buy coconuts from the Kuna  

How long does sailing from Panama to Colombia take?

The trip is meant to take 6 days. Day one is departure, we left around 4pm and day 6 is a late morning arrival. You will then spend 3 days in the San Blas Islands and one full day at sea. Keep in mind this is all weather-dependant.

How long did you get in the San Blas Islands?

They say you get 3 days in the San Blas Islands but it’s more like 2 ½. Each day we went to a new island but there was a bit of sailing time (no more than 2 hours) to get to each one. On our last day on the islands, we had to leave at 4pm to start the crossing. However, it also was dark by 6:30 so we didn’t miss out on a lot of daytime. 

Did anyone get seasick?

Yes, people did get seasick even when taking medication. I did not, but I will say I felt a bit icky on our first night when I couldn’t see the waves and we had a lot of swell. Things did get pretty rough a few times, especially on the big open sea crossing. Laying down definitely helped and some people felt better sleeping on the deck with the breeze.

What were the group demographics?

Our departure was full so we had 20 people and ages ranged from 18 to 40. It was mostly solo travellers and primarily women. Overall, everyone got along and it was a really fun group. On a personal level, I think this type of travel would have been best in my broke backpacker days of my 20s rather than the type of traveller I am now in my 30s. But honestly, as long as you are friendly, can be low maintenance for a few days, and are up for an adventure you’ll fit in.

What do you mean no showers?

I really do mean no showers. So, we ‘sea showered’ as in we jumped in to get wet. Climbed back on board to shampoo and soap up, jumped back in the sea and then there was a big container of fresh water that we got a scoop of to ‘rinse’. Of course, we couldn’t do this when sailing across the open water so, not going to lie, everyone was pretty gross by the time we arrived in Cartagena. It wasn’t ideal but again, think of it as wild camping. Just the sea rather than on land.

Would you recommend it?

Without a doubt this was a very basic trip, but I really did love it. As mentioned earlier, I think it might have been more my style in my early 20s but, at 34, I still had a blast. Part of me wishes I picked a nicer boat but at the same time it was an adventure with a great group of people and I have lots of awesome memories. So would I recommend it? For sure. Now that I have done it, would I do it again? This particular trip probably not, I think I’d just go hang out in the San Blas Islands. Or, do the trip on a nicer boat (with a shower). 

Can You Visit San Blas Islands Without Sailing to Colombia?

Absolutely! If you don’t plan on going to Colombia or don’t love the idea of sailing and would rather fly but still want to see the islands, you can. There are several islands with accommodation options to stay overnight or you can even visit on a day trip. Here are some options to consider.

• San Blas Island Hopping Day Tour from Panama City 
• 3 Day San Blas Island trip from Panama
• 4 Day San Blas Island Hopping Trip

Ready to Book Your Trip?

Don’t forget travel insurance!

Please do not travel without travel insurance! I’ve had to use it multiple times throughout my travels and it has saved me thousands of dollars. You can learn more about travel insurance  here . If you are looking for a provider I love and recommend  SafetyWing . For Canadian readers, take a look at  SoNomad.

Book your accommodation

I love and recommend  booking.com  for accommodation. They have a range of hostels, guesthouses, hotels, and resorts. Plus, the platform has a great loyalty program that means the more you book, the more you can save. 

Book your tours

My go-to tour provider that I love to recommend is  GetYourGuide . They have options all over the world and partner with local companies for everything from day trips to food experiences and even airport transfers. 

Get connected

If you want to have data while travelling for online maps or any other needs, an esim is one of the easiest solutions. I’m a big fan of Airalo and have used their sim cards around the world from Brazil to Uzbekistan, Greece to the USA. It’s really easy- you download the app, pick what country you want an esim for, and after you purchase it follow the installation instructions. You can use promo code HANNAH3326 to save $3USD on your next esim purchase. 

Not sure what to pack?

I have destination-specific guides for some countries but you can also check my  travel essentials  and  camera gear  if you are looking for some ideas. 

Looking for a travel buddy?

Check out my group trips!

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San Blas Sailing Panama to Colombia: Speedboat or Sailboat Trip?

Posted on Last updated: March 12, 2020

So, you’ve made the decision to take care of your border crossing by sailing Panama to Colombia. Good choice! As a border you can only cross by sea or air, it can be tough to decide how you want to travel from Colombia and Panama. But, if you consider that paying a bit more will allow you to have the experience of a lifetime and be able to see the most picturesque little islands the world has to offer, it’s honestly a no-brainer. People pay hundreds to do San Blas Sailing tours without a border crossing being involved, so this really is just killing two birds with one stone.

I recently sailed Panama to Colombia with San Blas Adventures , and it was one of my favorite adventures to date. This trip is not like many other Sailing Panama to Colombia tours, because the trip operates via speedboat. When I was weighing my options between taking a speedboat tour and a sailboat tour, I had a lot to consider!

Don’t miss my Complete Panama Backpacking Guide if you’re traveling around the area!

After doing much research on the different ways of sailing Panama to Colombia, and personally deciding on a speedboat tour, I thought that I would contrast the options for you here to help you in your decision as well. It’s a choice many backpackers must make, so hopefully this makes it a bit easier! Just make sure you do the San Blas sailing rather than flying. Trust me, this is a place you’ll want to see, and making a 4 day all-inclusive trip out of it is truly the way to go. I haven’t met a single person who thought otherwise! You’ll never forget visiting the San Blas islands.

Before you go to Colombia, make sure to brush up on your Colombian slang so you’re fully prepared – there are quite a few differences between Panamanian and Colombian Spanish!

Check out my other Panama content while you’re here (they open in a new tab!):

• Complete Panama Backpacking Guide
• San Blas Adventures Speedboat Trip Panama to Colombia Overview
• Things to do in Bocas del Toro: Travel Guide for Every Kind of Traveler
• Where to Stay in Bocas del Toro 
• Lost & Found: An Adventure Hiking Hostel in Panama’s Jungle
• Tribal Gathering Festival Review + Guide

Speedboat or Sailing Panama to Colombia: Boat Time + Seasickness

With a speedboat tour sailing between Panama and Colombia, you are on the boat for 1-3 hours per day, and a total of 8 hours in the 4 days. The boat time here is for a transfer – you may (probably will) get wet depending on weather, that is the price you pay for getting the transport time over with quickly.After the 1-2hrs, you are then are back on the islands with freedom to roam, swim, and relax.

Seasickness is not common due to this less boat time, and also because of the speed of the boat. Rather than slowly wave and bob around with the sea on a sailboat (which is what causes most seasickness), speedboats cut through the water much quicker. It can be VERY bumpy but the motion is much different and usually not as nauseating.

On a sailing boat between Panama and Colombia, you live and stay on the boat. The boats will dock up near islands for the day/night which you can make trips to, but you always return to the boat to eat and sleep. On sailboats you of course also have a two day open ocean crossing between the San Blas islands and Cartagena, where you don’t leave the boat at all.

This may be a problem for people who get seasick – many people opt out of sailing Panama to Colombia via sailboat because the 2 day ocean crossing can get very rough. There is also a 7-8 hour crossing from the dock to the first San Blas islands, taking up a large chunk of the first day. So basically, you spend 2.5 days in the northern San Blas Islands.

Speedboat or Sailing Panama to Colombia: Amount of San Blas Islands Seen

On a San Blas Adventures speedboat tour, you get to boat through all 365 San Blas islands from the northernmost to southernmost. You remain very close to the Panamanian coast the entire time. Through your speedboat journey and different island visits, you get to see all the beautiful little tiny islands and how the landscape actually changes a bit from north to south.

The north has all beautiful flat pancake islands, and as you get towards the south they are a bit larger and more hilly with more mangrove forests. These tours are also the only ones who actually get to see the more untouched and authentic southern San Blas islands. All the San Blas sailing tours from Panama City see the north islands, but when you get down south you will see villages and islands that are much more unaffected by tourism, making the experience that much more special in my opinion.

Sailboat San Blas sailing tours spend their first three nights in the northern section of the San Blas islands, going between islands in the first section (of three). The San Blas Islands are all located next to Panama, so once you leave this area there are no more islands to be seen.

Because this is the most direct place to sail to Cartagena from, these trips sail from Panama to Colombia directly from the northernmost part of the San Blas area.

They spend more time relaxing around the northern and most touristic area, but do not see all the islands or the more authentic southern part of San Blas.

Distant Sailboats mooring up near northern islands for the night.

Speedboat or Sailing Panama to Colombia: Island Time

With a speedboat tour, you will spend all of each day on the islands besides 1-3 hours of boat transfer. You eat, sleep, live, and do everything on the islands and always have freedom of movement. There aren’t many times in life you have tons of time to explore and relax on picture-perfect little islands that you can see from end to end – the photo opportunities are truly endless and you will never be able to believe it’s real life!

When sailing Panama to Colombia via sailboat, you take day trips from the boat to islands but must return to the boats to sleep and eat. You spend quite a lot of time on the islands during the 2-3 initial days, and have most of the days to explore around them and relax. But, all of your belongings and all the eating and sleeping are on the water.

Speedboat or Sailing Panama to Colombia: Boat, Food, and Tour Quality:

When you book a speedboat tour, all the tours offer the same exact product. So this way, there’s no uncertainty between dates or boats. All tours will go to the same or similar islands, serve fantastic food, see the authentic and untouched village, sleep in the comfy colorful dorms/hammocks, and use similar speedboats with set timings.

You don’t need to be uncertain of any quality on a Panama-Colombia speedboat tour because you can expect a high quality every time.

With sailboat trips, the quality is much different on each boat. Because the sailing Panama to Colombia tour companies are simply agencies for different boats and captains, one tour can be a fancy catamaran while the next is a sketchy little boat where water splashes in as you sleep (I actually heard of this happening once!!). With each captain/boat comes a total different tour, food, and experience, so it’s sometimes like playing roulette.

You can research what boat to take beforehand and try to time your schedule with a good one if you want, but it is sometimes (depending on the company you go through) not as easy to access information and reviews on each captain and boat to make sure your experience is a good one.

Speedboat or Sailing Panama to Colombia: Indigenous Interaction

On a speedboat San Blas sailing trip, you get more culture and immersion with the indigenous people throughout all islands. There are families or owners on most of the islands you visit, with whom you get to interact and learn. On one of the nights in the southern San Blas, you even spend a night in dorms in a Kuna village.

On this night you play with the kids, meet the locals, listen to an elder speak about the people, eat Kuna food, and even see a performance if you are lucky! This really helps you understand the fascinating culture and how they live their day to day lives. Read more about my experience with the Kuna people in my San Blas Adventures review.

Depending on the captain and boat, you may have more or less indigenous interaction. There will be families and locals on certain islands where you stop for a day trip and they may be selling some crafts, but it’s not as immersive.

Sailing Panama to Colombia Tours won’t stay in an actual Kuna Village or see the more untouched areas of the archipelago. Indigenous interaction also depends heavily on the captain of the boat you get and if he/she has any ties with specific Kuna people or islands.

Speedboat or Sailing Panama to Colombia: Tour Ending Point

Speedboat adventures end in a tiny Colombian village called Capurgana , which is right over the Panamanian border and use past the end of the San Blas Islands/Kuna Yala territory. This village is beautiful and remote and has no cars – only horse-drawn carts! You will need to purchase your onward travel from Capurgana, which is about $60 to Medellin or Cartagena.

However, you will have seen one of the most untouched places in Colombia that you wouldn’t have otherwise seen because it’s only accessible via air or sea. The speedboat company should be able to help you with booking accommodation, onward travel, and recommendations for the area too! Chances also are that you will continue traveling with new friends from your trip – my group traveled together afterwards for weeks.

Read my guide to Capurgana here to see what it’s like! 

Sailing boats between Panama and Colombia end in Cartagena, a big city on Colombia’s coast which is on most people’s travel routes. This is a major convenience factor, and it nice to be able to end in a bigger city without having to worry about traveling there.

Ending in Cartagena however does cost you a 2 day ocean crossing, and missing out on most of San Blas and a true Colombian highlight. It’s always a give and a take!

Speedboat or Sailing Panama to Colombia: Group Size

Speedboat groups can reach up to 25 people in size, and are generally between 15-25. Of course sometimes bookings are lower than others and there can be smaller groups, but groups will always be on the island together and sail in 1-2 speed boats for transit time. Passengers are generally from all over the world and offer a great environment to meet new friends.

Group size depends fully on the boat- usually around 6-16 people and up to 25. Each boat will be an independent tour by themselves, and the group you’re with on the boat will be with you the whole way. Passengers are also usually from a wide variety of countries offering a very social and immersive situation.

Speedboat or Sailing Panama to Colombia: Social Aspect

Because you spend most of your time on the islands, you are able to choose how social you want to be when on a speedboat tour. You can go and read under a palm tree alone, or you can hang out with people whenever you please.

You spend most of your time on the boat so you generally are around your group at all times without too much of a possibility to go off on your own if you feel you want some alone time – besides when you’re on the islands!

Speedboat or Sailing Panama to Colombia: Giving Back to the Community

San Blas Adventures in known for its responsible tourism and gives back to the community through various different initiatives and working directly with the Kuna People. One of the owners is Kuna, enabling the company to forge close and mutually beneficial relationships with many different families and communities.

Most of passenger fares stay directly within the local communities. Fares go toward using Kuna accommodations, Kuna boats, Kuna fusion food, Kuna guides, Kuna construction workers, and more, and committees are formed to help communities with changes they would like to see made. San Blas Adventures also has initiatives to help with recycling, teach permaculture farming, and bring water filtration systems, and they are working towards a zero waste goal as well. I was super impressed by this repertoire of responsible tourism, and thought you might be too!

Most sailing Panama to Colombia tours via sailboat will visit a few communities, but don’t have much to do with them other than that. Some tours may give back quite a lot while others have little to do with the communities. Again, it depends fully on the boat captain and anything they personally do to help out the indigenous or personal relationships they may have.

Sailboat tours will use their own food and of course accommodation, and the fares will usually stay with the captain, agency, and possibly inhabitants of an island or two just for daytime use.

Speedboat or Sailing Panama to Colombia: Accommodation

Speedboat sail Panama to Colombia tours will be accommodated in either hammocks or dorm beds. These will be in huts that are open to the warm island air with space to move around if you need but will be close to one another. Personally, I felt a bit worried about sleeping in hammocks but I got so used to them that I missed them when I got to the dorm!

The boat is where you stay for the 4 nights while sailing from Panama to Colombia. It’s important to note that rooms will not necessarily be private and sometimes there will be bunks in the ‘saloon’ of the ship. Depending on what boat you get, space may be very limited – enabling you to really get to know those around you! However, some boats may have private double rooms – again, it depends on what boat you get.

Anyway, I hope this comparison has helped you decide whether you want to take a speedboat or a sailboat in your voyage sailing Panama to Colombia! I’m sure you will enjoy your trip either way – wishing you an amazing trip with lots of adventures & sunsets! 🙂

Remember to Pin this!

Thanks to San Blas Adventures for hosting me on a speedboat trip. Of course, all words are my own and I couldn’t have loved my trip more.

Capurgana Colombia Travel Guide: Colombia's Hidden Caribbean Gem

Thursday 24th of May 2018

[…] small village, I quickly understood that the charm of this place is even more reason to book a speedboat tour between the two […]

The Best Way Panama to Colombia: San Blas Adventures Speedboat Trip

Thursday 17th of May 2018

[…] If you want to weigh the options more fully, click here for my complete comparison of speedboat and sailboat trips between Panama and Colombia.  […]

Miss Filatelista

Sunday 13th of May 2018

I'd love to do this journey via boat! I went to San Blas back in 2009 and it's still one of my most cherished travel memories as I spent my time on a remote island where just one family lived and played in insanely clear water that was full of amazing aquatic life.

That sounds like the San Blas islands alright! :) Sound like an amazing trip! Now next time to do the border crossing too!

Amanda Tran

Saturday 12th of May 2018

A very thorough comparison. We opted to do it by speedboat and loved it. We couldn't do a sailboat because my husband gets seasick. Glad you covered that aspect in the post!

Thank you! Ah, that's awesome you did the speedboat trip as well! definitely better for the seasickness!

Monday 7th of May 2018

I love reading a post where two excellent options are contrasted in such an awesome way, Kimmie! If I ever explore this part of the world, I would definitely decide for a speedboat tour. I really enjoyed your post!

Thanks so much Lydia! :) Glad you enjoyed it and glad you might want to try it one day... I couldn't recommend it more! :) Cheers!

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