A leaning palm on a white sand beach facing turquoise water in Guna Yala.
Destination guide

San Blas

Palm cays and turquoise water on the Caribbean, home of the Guna people.

San Blas is the Comarca Guna Yala: 365 islands and cays off Panama's Caribbean coast, governed by the Guna. You get there by 4x4 from Panama City to the port of Cartí, then by boat, and most people come for a day trip or a night or two on an island.

365Islands and cays
Guna YalaComarca
2.5–3 hrsBy 4x4 to Cartí
Dec–AprThe sunniest months
3 guidesIn this library
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If you only read three

The three guides that answer most of what people ask before a first trip.

Read firstSan Blas: The Complete Guide

Getting there, day trip or overnight, 2026 prices and the Guna Yala rules.

Read firstTours From Panama City

Day trips, one and two-night tours and private trips, compared with prices.

Read firstSailing to Colombia

Five days through San Blas to Cartagena: boats, operators and the real budget.

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A small sand cay with a cluster of coconut palms in clear blue water.
Two sailboats at anchor in calm water off the San Blas cays.

Sailing to Colombia

The open-water way out of Panama, with three days in the islands on the way.

In pictures

San Blas in pictures

An island crowded with thatched and tin-roofed houses in San Blas.
An island crowded with thatched and tin-roofed houses in San Blas.
A boat crosses turquoise water toward a palm-covered island.
A boat crosses turquoise water toward a palm-covered island.
A brain coral on the sandy bottom, snorkelling in Guna Yala.
A brain coral on the sandy bottom, snorkelling in Guna Yala.
Leaning coconut palms on a small island in the Cayos Holandeses.
Leaning coconut palms on a small island in the Cayos Holandeses.
Bathers wading on a pale sandbar in turquoise shallows.
Bathers wading on a pale sandbar in turquoise shallows.
A dense palm cay ringed by white sand and thatched shelters.
A dense palm cay ringed by white sand and thatched shelters.
A palm-lined white sand beach curving along turquoise water.
A palm-lined white sand beach curving along turquoise water.
The full library

Every San Blas guide

3 guides
  1. 1San Blas Islands (Guna Yala): The Complete GuideOverview
  2. 2San Blas Tours From Panama CityTours
  3. 3San Blas Sailing, Panama to ColombiaSailing