Why have we decided to feature one of the many reviews we receive from our clients on our blog? We truly appreciate all the reviews from our dear clients that we receive every week; they are extremely important to us. From the 5-star reviews that fill us with joy for having contributed to making your experience unforgettable, to the negative ones, which, when constructive, help us understand where we need to improve. However, Olivia’s review stands out because it perfectly describes the true experience, essence, and adaptability required during a San Blas Islands tour. At San Blas Dreams, we take great care in explaining what to expect from these tours, and Olivia has captured it perfectly. In addition to the official TripAdvisor page, we’re sharing her review below. Enjoy the read and happy travels!
“After finding San Blas Dreams through a Google search, I decided to write to them via WhatsApp to make some inquiries and ask for advice on choosing the best tour option to visit the Guna Yala islands. Almost immediately, “Joel” replied and made himself available to answer our questions and recommend the best option for my boyfriend and me. After reviewing his suggestions, we decided on the Ultimate San Blas Tour, as we wanted to visit the Cayos Holandeses. We made the reservation through their website the day before the tour, paying a deposit by credit card, and once it was done, we received a confirmation email with the corresponding receipt. The email also included important information that indicated the balance to be paid in cash on the islands, as that is the only form of payment accepted there. Later that day, we received a WhatsApp message from “Juanita,” who told us she was the transport coordinator for SBD, with essential information about the trip, in case we hadn’t read the extensive details on their website. We also arranged with her the exact pickup point since the entrance to our Airbnb was a bit tricky.
As Juanita indicated, the driver arrived around 5:40 am to pick us up. There was already one person in the car who would travel with us. The driver, though serious, was kind and helped us with our luggage, placing it in the back of the car. There isn’t much space, so traveling with essentials is ideal. He reminded us to bring our original passports, and we continued on our way. We knew the transport was for six people, so we expected a few more passengers. At the next stop, we picked up the remaining three travelers, three tall guys who looked like basketball players. They had to sit in the back of the car, which is somewhat uncomfortable for tall people. Since my boyfriend and I are of average height and noticed how cramped they were, we decided to sit in the back to give them the middle seats so we could all travel more comfortably. Additionally, I had taken a pill to avoid motion sickness since I tend to feel nauseous during car rides, which made me drowsy, so I hoped to sleep a bit on the way.
Once all six passengers were in the car with the driver, we set out for the port along a road by the sea with the sunrise providing a beautiful preview of our trip. After about an hour and a half, we stopped at a service station where the driver told us we could grab a bite to eat or use the bathroom if needed. There, we paid for the transport ($60 per person). We continued on a winding road with curves, climbs, and descents. The driver occasionally had to accelerate to climb the hills but we always felt safe since he mentioned he’d been driving that route for years. After sleeping a bit, I woke up at a checkpoint where authorities checked our passports and the driver paid the entrance fee to the region. We saw Guna community members collecting the money before granting us access to continue our trip. This stretch lasted about another hour, and while the road was paved, the curves made it tiring.
Upon arrival at a port, the woman sitting in the front got out, and we headed to another port to catch our boat to the island for our tour. I stepped out feeling a bit dazed from the curvy journey, but seeing the blue sky and sea quickly made me feel better, and I began enjoying what San Blas had to offer.
Our driver connected us with the local Guna guide in charge of taking us to our island, who was already waiting, with other travelers ready in the boat. The port may seem a bit chaotic, but I realized that each traveler found their boat, and soon enough, we were ready to go, with almost no one left waiting to depart. They’ve been doing this for years, and while it might seem chaotic to a European mind, it was clear they knew what they were doing. It’s at this moment you realize that all you have to do on this trip is go with the flow. On the boat, I was thankful for bringing a light jacket as, although it wasn’t raining, the waves splashed water inside, getting us a bit wet. Our belongings were safe in a luggage area at the front of the boat. Covering them with a garbage bag is a good idea just in case. Along the way, we started seeing some islands scattered across the sea that looked like paradise, varying in size and adorned with palm trees. The boat made a brief stop at a densely populated island where supplies were picked up. I understood that due to the nature of the islands, they made the most of each trip for efficiency. After a few minutes, we continued, and they informed us that only community members lived on that island with no tourists, which we could see in the short time we were there without getting off the boat.
After about 45 minutes on the boat, we arrived at Pelicano Island, the first stop on our tour and where we would spend the next two nights. The island seemed beautiful, small but cozy. We were all taken to the dining area, where they gave us some instructions, explained when lunch would be, and outlined the tours for each of us. “Marcel” then approached to collect the remaining payment in cash, as stated on the receipt, and took us to our room. We left our things there and, already in our swimwear, went straight to the beach to enjoy the morning and cool off in the sea as the sun was rising without a cloud in sight. We spotted SUP boards and used them for free. There was also snorkeling gear available for use anytime, which, as far as I know, Pelicano is the only island to offer, and it’s much appreciated once you’re there. Around noon, they sounded a type of conch shell to announce lunch—it was ready! We had a portion of rice, fish, and salad. It wasn’t abundant but sufficient, and following “Joel’s” advice, we brought some snacks that served as dessert. Around 1:30 pm, we were informed it was time for the first tour included in the package. We were taken to the natural pool, a spot in the middle of the sea where the depth is about 1 meter. Here, you can snorkel and enjoy this unique place, seeing starfish and small fish around us. After swimming, taking the obligatory photos, and enjoying the spectacular sun, we returned to Pelicano just in time to play a volleyball match against the locals (who are pretty good, by the way). It was a lot of fun, with the entire island getting involved, either playing or watching, creating a cool harmony between the locals and visitors. To end the day, after a shower and dinner, we sat down to enjoy a wonderful starry night, shared a beer with other travelers, and went to bed early, excited for the next day and our visit to Cayos Holandeses.
Our private room, though basic, was comfortable, and we slept well. The wind blew, so we didn’t feel hot during the night. We woke up early, and the day was cloudy and windy. After breakfast, we stayed on the beach enjoying the view. Around 10 am, heavy rain and strong wind began. Since we knew we had the trip to the Cays planned that day, which was a bit far, we asked if there would be an issue. “Marcel” explained that the wind and rain could make the tour dangerous and that it would be best not to do it that day and wait to see if the weather improved the next day. He also mentioned that this part of the tour would be refunded if it couldn’t be done (as stated on the San Blas Dreams website). We trusted their judgment on weather conditions and agreed, knowing it was best for everyone’s safety. That day, we visited Anmardub Island instead, which was supposed to be on the third day. The rain eventually stopped, and we enjoyed our time there. The island was small but pretty, with no cabins—only tents for tourists to sleep in. There weren’t more than 10 people on the island, making it an excellent place to relax. Later, we returned to Pelicano for our second night, and by then, the rain was just a memory. We were happy to see a chance of visiting the Cays the following day.
The next morning, the sun was shining, and the wind had died down. We were thrilled when “Marcel” approached to tell us that we’d be going on the tour that couldn’t happen the day before. Around 10 am, we set off to the Dutch Cays with four other people who had booked the same tour. After seeing many different islands along the way, we arrived at the area many consider the most beautiful part of the archipelago, and upon arrival, it’s easy to see why. It’s a group of islands far from the more populated areas of San Blas, with pristine beaches that outshone even those we’d already seen. The Guna region never ceases to amaze; at one point, we even spotted a large pipe in the middle of the sea. According to the story, this immense geotextile pipe was being transported by a boat that had to let it go about 10 years ago to avoid sinking. Since then, it’s remained there, surrounded by coral and starfish, becoming a unique photo spot for tourists.
