Things to Know Before Booking

GENERAL INFORMATIONS

A trip to the San Blas Islands is not for everyone. And it’s important to say that right from the start.
Since 2014, San Blas Dreams has been offering tours to the spectacular San Blas Islands in Panama, a destination as fascinating as it is unique. With a deep understanding of both the wonders and peculiarities of this region, we created this detailed guide to help you understand what to expect from a tour in Guna Yala. It’s important to note that this kind of experience isn’t for everyone. If you’re looking for comfort, structured services, or a luxury-style trip, the San Blas Islands may not be the right destination for you.
Here, the true value lies in nature and authentic culture — but a flexible mindset is essential: facilities are basic and services are minimal.
Please consider all of this carefully before booking your tour to ensure an experience that matches your expectations.

Why Choose San Blas Dreams?
San Blas Dreams, officially registered with the national Tourism Authority, is one of the leading tour operators in Panama. Founded in Panama City in 2014, it has quickly become a leader in tourism to the San Blas Islands in the Caribbean of Panama, offering more than 15 different tours. We work directly with the Guna Yala community and carefully select only the best islands and Guna families to ensure our clients enjoy an authentic experience of the highest possible quality.

Our Commitment to Your Experience
Our priority is your satisfaction and transparency. We don’t promise unrealistic experiences just to sell a tour; we want you to be fully aware of what to expect. We invite you to carefully read all the available information to understand how a tour to the San Blas Islands works, from the car departure from Panama City to the boat trip and the arrival on the islands.

Experience and Communication
Unlike our other tours, trips to San Blas do not include tour guides. Not all host families speak English, so we encourage you to collaborate with them for any needs. This is an integral part of your experience in Guna Yala.

Assistance during the tour
During your San Blas tour, for any questions or issues, we recommend speaking directly with the Guna staff on the island —they’ll be able to respond faster. If you prefer, you can also reach us anytime by WhatsApp or email; we’ll be happy to help you.

WARNINGS AND SAFETY

For Pregnant Travelers and Children Under 2
Although tours to the San Blas Islands are usually calm and suitable for most people, to ensure a smooth and comfortable trip, we recommend avoiding a visit to the San Blas Islands if you are pregnant or traveling with children under 2 years old. The car and boat transfers, combined with the very basic services available on the islands, may not provide the level of comfort needed in these particular situations.

Avoid Issues: Don’t Book Flights on Return Day
Although many tours on the last day include a return departing from the island right after breakfast, arriving in Panama City between 12 and 1 PM approximately, San Blas Dreams strongly advises against booking a flight for the same day. It is recommended to schedule your flight for the following day.

RESERVATIONS, PAYMENT & BALANCE

When you book with us, we assume that you’ve already reviewed all the available information and chosen the island that best fits your preferences. We’re always here to help you through our website —full of useful details— or via email or WhatsApp (every day from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Panama time).
Our mission is to guide you step by step, helping you make an informed choice and enjoy a smooth, worry-free vacation.

Easy Booking and Payments
Booking is simple. You can reserve directly on our website using a credit or debit card, with a deposit required. The remaining balance must be paid in cash on the day of travel, as well as for all purchases made on the islands.

Booking Confirmation and Important Details
After booking, you will receive a confirmation email. It is essential to carefully read this email and any attachments to ensure a smooth trip. Please ensure your email address is entered correctly. On the day of the tour, remember to bring the tickets received via email, either printed or in PDF format on your mobile phone.

Collaboration with the Guna and Cash Payments
We collaborate with the Guna community on all aspects of the tour. The majority of the money stays within San Blas, supporting local staff, boats, accommodations, food, and the communities visited. It is crucial to settle the remaining amount in cash on the tour day to cover services provided by the Guna. Remember to withdraw cash in Panama City by the evening before the tour, considering daily withdrawal limits. There are no ATMs in San Blas. On the day of the tour, make sure to bring enough cash and carefully read all the information to ensure a smooth experience.

Booking Guide
1. Select the tour you want.
2. Click on BOOK NOW. Choose the type of cabin, number of nights, and number of people.
• Note: For a Day Tour, just pick the date and the number of participants.
3. Fill out the form with the required details for all participants.
4. Make the down payment using your credit or debit card. Our system will guide you through each step.
5. You will receive a booking confirmation email with all the essential details.
6. The remaining balance is due in cash on the day of the tour.

Here is our video guide, in case you need it.

TRANSFER BY CAR

• Not all drivers speak English, so we kindly ask for your cooperation — you can always use a translation app if needed. They’ll always do their best to help you with anything you need.

• The transportation service within the Guna Yala territory is strictly regulated, with a limited number of authorized vehicles, each capable of carrying up to 6 passengers in addition to the driver. Seats are assigned randomly and cannot be chosen in advance. In special cases, you can contact us via email for personalized solutions.
Note: If the randomly assigned seat does not satisfy you and you decide not to participate in the tour, please note that the initial deposit will not be refunded.

• The last two seats in the vehicles, necessary to ensure full transport capacity, can be less comfortable, especially for tall passengers. We ask for everyone’s understanding and cooperation to arrange the seating in a way that maximizes comfort for all. Our drivers won’t get involved in seat disputes, trusting that travelers will resolve any disagreements with mutual respect.

• The transportation to the San Blas Islands does not function as a taxi service, and the round trip is always from the same starting point. To be dropped off at a different location on the return trip, there is an additional fee of $5 per person, if possible. For logistical reasons, it is not possible to drop off clients at the airport or bus stations in Panama City upon return from San Blas.

• Every day, starting at 5:30 a.m., our drivers begin their rounds to pick up clients. We can reach you between 5:30 and approximately 6:00 a.m. Our Jeeps can carry up to 6 passengers, which means, depending on the organized route, there may be other clients to pick up before you. If clients are not ready, we may have to wait for them (we strive not to leave anyone behind). In this case, we ask for your patience; we always do our best to get to you as soon as possible. If we are unable to locate you, the drivers will have to proceed out of respect for the other guests. In such a case, the deposit will not be refunded.

• The trip from Panama City to the port takes approximately 2.5 hours, not including possible delays due to picking up other passengers, police checkpoints, protests, stopping at the Mini Market, traffic, or lines at the entrance to the Guna territory.
Once in the Guna territory, the trip continues for about an hour with many curves and ups and downs, covering approximately 42 kilometers. The road is marked with visible kilometer signs for you to monitor the journey.

• Our drivers are experienced and ensure a safe drive, even if it may seem a bit adventurous at times. Customer safety is our priority, and we invite you to provide feedback to improve the service and make your experience unforgettable.

• Space in the cars and on the boats is limited, so it is recommended to bring only the essentials and leave large suitcases at your hotel or apartment in Panama City. It is prohibited to bring bulky items such as lounge chairs or large coolers.
If you bring large or bulky items that need to be loaded on the car’s roof, a $5 fee may apply, payable directly to the driver.

BOAT TRIP TO THE ISLAND

There are several ports used for boat transfers to and from the islands. For this reason, on both the outbound and return trips, we must organize travelers among the different ports, which may occasionally cause a few minutes of waiting.

Welcome and Transportation
Once you arrive at the port, the Guna family hosting you will take you by boat to their island. They will handle all boat transfers, accommodation, meal preparation, and included tours.

Protection of Valuables
During the boat trip, you may get wet, adding to the adventure. Make sure to protect your valuables such as passports, phones, and cameras. We strongly advise against bringing computers or tablets.

Physical Condition
Good physical condition is necessary for boarding the boats.

ON THE ISLAND

Facilities and Accommodations
Most accommodations and bathrooms in Guna Yala are very basic. Make sure to be well informed about the available facilities on the island you have chosen to avoid disappointment. If an island does not have private bathrooms, they are generally shared. None of the islands offer air conditioning; some have solar power or a generator for charging phones, while others do not. Mattresses and pillows are often of modest quality.

Tourism in Guna Yala: Adapting to Local Rhythms
Tourism is relatively new in Guna Yala. Accommodations are basic, meals are simple, and schedules are not always strictly followed. We ask for your patience and respect for the customs and schedules of the Guna population.

Beverages and Local Support
Drinks are not included in most packages. Tourists can bring some items from the city, such as water in gallons. However, we recommend, whenever possible, buying products like water, soft drinks, or beer directly on the islands. This helps support the local economy and contributes to the well-being of the Guna community.

Meals and Dietary Restrictions / Allergies / Special Diets
There are no restaurants or à la carte menus on the San Blas Islands. All meals are prepared by Guna families and the menu is very limited, mainly based on rice, fish, chicken (when available), and salad. Meals cannot be customized and are often repetitive.

If you follow a special diet (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose intolerant, etc.), we cannot guarantee any suitable meal alternatives. The infrastructure on the islands is very basic and does not allow for modifications or substitutions.
We strongly recommend that you bring your own snacks or foods appropriate to your diet, such as energy bars, nuts, or special biscuits. This will help you enjoy your trip without worries.

LOCAL REGULATIONS AND OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

Regulation and Local Authority
Guna Yala is an autonomous region governed by the Guna Congress. As guides and tour operators, we respect local laws and work with approved contractors. All accommodations, staff, and transportation services are regulated by the Guna government. Non-Guna staff and commercial goods not owned by Guna are not allowed on the islands. Since we are required to prepay our local partners for lodging and transportation, in case of service issues caused by the Guna family managing the island or the tour, we unfortunately cannot guarantee refunds.

Customer Support
Our customer service is available 365 days a year. For over 10 years, we have provided our customers with the best support for tours to San Blas and other tours on our website. We are committed to resolving any issues fairly, supporting guests, and encouraging our partners to do the same. If a partner does not resolve issues adequately, we will report it and consider other options within our limited network.

Drone Regulations
The use of drones is not allowed on the San Blas Islands. You could receive a fine and have your drone confiscated. San Blas Dreams is not responsible for decisions made by the Guna General Congress.

THE BUSIEST SEASONS IN SAN BLAS

DOCUMENTS & TAXES

Original Passport
To enter the Guna Yala community, you must present your original passport with the entry stamp into Panama. Copies are not accepted. San Blas Dreams is not responsible for denied entry and no refunds will be provided.

Documents for Panamanians and Residents
Panamanian citizens and residents must show an original ID or residency document.

Entry Taxes
The entry Taxes for the Guna community are as follows:

• Panamanian Citizens and Foreign Residents: $8
• Tourists (age 10 and up): $23

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Tours in Case of Rain
Tours will proceed even in the event of rain. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee ideal weather conditions, but we are committed to adhering to the agreed schedule even in adverse weather conditions. If national or regional authorities suspend tours for safety reasons, we may postpone or cancel the tour, and in such cases, payments will be refunded.

Peak Season and Winds
From December to April, besides being peak season, there are also strong winds that can make the sea rough on certain days. To ensure the safety of our clients and staff, tours may be delayed or canceled. Safety is our top priority, and we adhere to Guna safety regulations. We appreciate your understanding in these cases.

Refund Policy
We do not offer refunds or discounts for rain or bad weather unless the tour is completely canceled for safety reasons before departing from Panama City.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS

Customer feedback is crucial to us. Thanks to your suggestions, we’ve continuously improved our services and will keep doing so every day. We invite you to share your experience with us via email at info@sanblasdreams.com. We always appreciate any advice or feedback you send our way.

However, there are occasions when some customers contact us after their San Blas tour with “unusual” comments, requesting partial refunds without valid reasons and threatening to leave negative reviews on various specialized platforms. It’s important to note that the entire San Blas Dreams team works tirelessly to be close to our customers. However, we do not tolerate such threats, which we consider disrespectful and unfounded. Any such threats will be reported to our technical support and the platforms handling online reviews.

We’ve also created this guide to help customers better understand what to expect from a tour to the San Blas Islands, thereby avoiding unpleasant surprises upon arrival.

LOST OR FORGOTTEN ITEMS

• San Blas Dreams is not responsible for lost, forgotten, or damaged belongings on the islands or in the vehicles. It’s the guest’s full responsibility to keep track of personal items.

• In case something is left behind, San Blas Dreams will do its best to retrieve and return the item to Panama City. It’s essential to contact us as soon as possible.

• If the item is found, the guest will need to pick it up personally, covering any related costs, at the address provided.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• We are a booking agency and do not own the islands we operate with. Once at the port, the Guna family ensures the level of service that distinguishes us.

• We are not responsible for weather conditions, governmental actions, civil disobedience, protests, or force majeure. We do our best to avoid them and will keep you informed of any changes.

• We recommend travel insurance for all passengers, given the risks of adventurous travel. By booking, you accept all our conditions; San Blas Dreams declines all responsibility.

Visit our pages on Cancellation Policies and Terms & Conditions.

Choose San Blas Dreams for an authentic and transparent experience in the San Blas Islands!

OUR COMMITMENT

Our job is not to sell tours, but to guide the right people in the right way.

If, after reading this page, you feel that the San Blas Islands are right for you, we’ll be happy to help you choose the experience that best suits you.

If you have doubts or different expectations, we prefer to discuss them openly and honestly beforehand.

Traveling to San Blas is a choice.
We help you make it consciously.