Some information about San Blas islands

The islands of the San Blas Archipelago are strung out along the Caribbean coast of Panama from the Golfo de San Blas nearly all the way to the Colombian border. San Blas is a series of 365 islands of which only few are habited by the Kuna Indians. Although only a 20-minute plane ride away from Panama City, a trip to the San Blas islands will transport you centuries into the past. The Kuna Indians, who run all the islands as an autonomous province with minimal interference from the national government, have maintained their own economic system, language, customs and culture, with distinctive dress, legends, music and dance and thus have avoided traditional tourism development.

The economy of the islands is based on coconut sales, fishing and tourism, and they offer travelers good snorkeling and swimming. Facilities are few and simple, as is the food. The area is surrounded by reefs, some of the oldest in the world, and offer wonderful snorkeling opportunities.

San Blas is famous for one of its arts and crafts, the mola. Kuna women make rainbow colored fabrics, emblazoned with fish, birds, jungle animals and geometric designs. The men still fish from canoes as they did before Columbus came. They still run up to the corner coconut palm trees for something fresh and cool to drink each morning, just as they have for untold centuries.

San Blas islands have been selected as “one of the two best sailing destinations in the world” by Cruising World and Le Monde Voyage magazines. In many occasions the islands have been the scenary of National Geographic articles. San Blas offers pristine nature, without any cruise ships or touristic resorts.

How to get to San Blas Islands

By Airplane:  AIR PANAMA  has daily flights from Albrook Airport n Panama City, to San Blas: El Porvenir  (30 min. Fly).

By Car: The ride takes two-and-a-half hours by 4×4 truck from Panama City to Cartí. Daily rides available.

Let us know if you need more information about  transfers from and to San Blas.