Sailing Panama To Cartagena

Five Night San Blas Island Adventure 

Included

  • Five Nights Accommodation On Board

  • All Meals, Tea, Coffee And Water

  • Standard Immigration Agent And Port Fees

  • One Fresh Lobster/Seafood Meal

Not Included

  • Visas If Required

  • Guna Yala Tourist Tax $20.00 USD

  • Alcoholic Drinks
  • Transport To Departure Location

Our Route

The Trip

The length of the trip and what islands you will visit will depend on the weather and the anchoring conditions. You will likely visit 3 – 5 groups of islands and depart the boat in Cartagena after 5 nights.

Our standard trips start early afternoon from Puerto Lindo. This means on average you will get much more recreation time in San Blas compared to boats collecting passengers in the islands and only providing 4 nights. Transport costs are also much lower to get to Puerto Lindo, so our trip is easily one of the best value available as well as one of the longest running.

Please see the sample itinerary below. Note that changes may be forced due to circumstances out of our control.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Day 1

Departure: Puerto Lindo

A member of crew will meet you in Puerto Lindo.

Most people choose to arrive by specially arranged group transport from Panama City (25.00 USD per person) which will take you directly to the meeting point. Passengers arriving independently will be given instructions where and when to meet.

After a trip briefing, everyone will board the boat and to set sail towards the islands.

Day 2

San Blas Islands

This will be your first day in the San Blas islands. Normally this day is spent exploring islands in the western part of the archipelago.

Chichime and El Porvenir are some of the popular locations in this area.

Day 3

San Blas Islands

Another full day in San Blas. This time you will head further east towards the outer, more secluded islands.

We prefer visiting these islands as there are generally less tourists here, more chilled and cleaner. The noisy tourist speedboats can’t get here either and as such are some of the best anchorages in the San Blas islands.

Day 4

San Blas Islands

The final day in San Blas before heading towards Cartagena.

Coco Bandero is a favourite place to stop on this final day to relax before setting off in the afternoon, beyond the islands and onward to Cartagena.

Day 5

Day At Sea

This whole day and night will likely be spent on the open ocean. Hopefully you will have a smooth crossing, however make sure you pack some sea sickness medication anyway!

This part of the trip is normally 35 – 40 hours

Day 6

Arrival: Cartagena de Indias

You should arrive to Cartagena, Colombia in the morning or early afternoon.

After breakfast and completion of the official formalities, you will leave the boat at Club Natico Marina, a short taxi to the main hostel area of Getsemani and the touristic old town of Cartagena.

The immigration paperwork is completed by an agent and can take several hours. An afternoon or evening meeting will be arranged at a local bar or hostel where your passports will be returned back to you.

Panama City To Puerto Lindo

Group Transfer $25.00 Per Person

A direct group shuttle transport will be available from Panama City early on the morning of your departure.

You can be collected from any centrally located hostel/hotel and will be taken directly to the meeting point in Puerto Lindo.

Make sure you have everything you need for the trip and cash before you leave the city.

Public Transport $12.00 Per Person

Public transport can only be used if you are planning on leaving from Panama City at least the day the day before departure.

It is not possible to leave Panama City on departure morning by public transport, you will not make it on time.

You will need to make sure you have all cash before you leave the city. No banks or ATM facilities are available in Puerto Lindo.


What To Expect

General Comfort

We provide an island hopping adventure boat tour. Our boats are not luxury charter vessels or romantic honeymoon voyages. Privacy and space is limited and the trip is only suitable for open minded adventure travellers and backpackers.

Heat

You will be travelling in a tropical climate. Fans are provided in sleeping areas however it still might get hot. Hatches may need to be closed for safety reason when the boat is sailing limiting the amount of fresh breeze entering the boat.

Showers

The trip involves offshore sailing, therefore fresh water must be conserved for safety reasons. A rinse down shower may be possible once during the trip depending on the levels in the fresh water tank.

Food

We consistently get great reviews about our food. You certainly won’t go hungry on this trip. We can accommodate, vegetarian, pescatarian and gluten free diets at no extra charge, however it is not possible to make separate meals if there are certain ingredients you don’t like.

Dogs

In case you have an allergy it is important to know both of our boats have friendly canine crew members on board. We may also be able to take passengers travelling with dogs as well on some trips.

Delays

It is very rare that we have any issues resulting in a delay, however it does happen from time to time. We do not recommend booking if you have a tight schedule or without travel insurance.

Sailing

Sailing time is only possible when the conditions are right. Too strong, not enough wind or wind in the wrong direction may not make it possible. The boat also has a schedule to keep to as well.

Activities

We have snorkel sets to share as well as a stand up paddle board, hammocks and beach/water toys. The crew can also help arrange a village tour and beach party bonfire when possible.

San Blas, Guna Yala

Guna Yala is an autonomous territory or ‘comarca’ comprised of approximately 350 islands off the Caribbean coast of Panama. The inhabitants of the ‘San Blas Islands’, as they are commonly called are indigenous people with their own laws, language, congress and distinct culture.

Our boats have been sailing in the region for ten years, running popular backpacker sailing trips to between Colombia and Panama. The boat has a great relationship with the inhabitants of the islands who always provide a warm welcome when we arrive.