Best San Blas sailing tour right now? Our last stop, an island famous among sailors who know the best kept secrets in San Blas, gives you more time to swim in the beautiful calm waters. With two islands right next to each other and home to a big shipwreck, stranded on its outer reef, you can enjoy the pristine beaches and beautiful scenery. Between 3-4pm we will leave this island paradise and head back to the Port of Carti. Your driver will be waiting for you and safely drive you back to Panama City, dropping you off at your lodging by 7pm. San Blas is one of the last unspoiled and undeveloped places in the world and we hope you will get to experience the beauty of the islands and the innocence of the unique Kuna culture. For our guests who only have one day to travel to the “Guna Yala” nation, the San Blas Day tour is the best option and will surely make you want to come back again. Few locations include The Amador Causeway connects the three islands by the entrance to the Panama Canal to the mainland. From the causeway, there is a terrific view of Panama City, and the Bridge of the Americas. Many Panamanians like to spend their weekends jogging, riding a bicycle or rollerblading down the causeway, or having a meal or drinks in one of the many restaurants and bars on the islands. Find more information on https://taotravel365.tours/location/panama/san-blas/.
This 3-hour tour is ideally suited to the aspiring naturalist and photographer. The tour is ideal for those who may have little or no previous skill with a DSLR camera and would like to have some fun as a ‘Wildlife Photographer’ for the morning. Boarding our unique Rainforest Expedition Photography boat at Gamboa Rainforest Reserve Marina, we start the tour by showing you how to use the specialised photography chair, the DSLR camera and the 150-600mm telephoto lens that we provide you with.
Commissioned for the first Art with Me event in Tulum in 2018, the huge, mind-blowing sculpture known as Ven a La Luz (Come into the Light) by internationally known multidisciplinary artist Daniel Popper is permanently installed at Ahau Tulum hotel. Made from wood, steel, rope and greenery, the work symbolizes our deep connection with nature. Parents and kids may notice the resemblance to the goddess Te Fiti in the Disney film Moana. Stop by Ahau for a drink or lunch to see this spectacular piece. One of the advantages of being in the Yucatan Peninsula is that you’re surrounded by natural sinkholes, otherwise known as cenotes. In Tulum, you’ll be within a stone’s throw of the area’s most magnificent examples – Gran Cenote, Calavera and Carwash are some of the most well known, but with a little searching you’ll find some practically deserted ones to explore, too. For night owls and party animals Tulum has plenty of options; whether you’re a fan of live music, beachside DJ sets or Caribbean salsa rhythms. If you choose to head downtown, you’ll have plenty of choices between the clubs that fill up on the weekends and the smaller, more intimate venues that take a bit more hunting down. Culture Trip recommends Batey for eccentric live music. Alternatively, head to Papaya Playa Project if partying on the beach is more your style.
The Guna Yala (also known as Kuna Indians) are the indigenous people of the San Blas Islands. Originally occupying the border of Panama and Colombia, (when Panama was part of Colombia), the Kuna Indians began settling in the San Blas Archipelago around 1800. No tourists were allowed to the region until the 1940s, as the Kuna Indians operated an autonomous state separate from Panama. The Kuna have kept many of their cultural traditions intact, which are still thriving today. They originally wore few clothes and decorated their bodies with bright, colorful designs, but after Europeans arrived, the Kuna began making and wearing intricately woven molas, which are still present today. Travelers are now allowed to visit, and each island family works with local operators and each other to ensure guests have the best experience on a visit to the islands.
Having traveled around the world on their 45-foot sailboat “Kailani” and encountering various amazing destinations, cultures and adventures that impacted their perspectives on life, founders Michael and Paola resolved to create a platform that allowed other travelers from around the world to gain access to these experiences. It is our hope that we will connect travelers from different backgrounds, cultures and mindsets, allowing them to share their values and gaining a deeper respect and love for each other – as human beings and connected spirits. Find more info on https://taotravel365.tours/. If you want to save money you can visit Monkey Island without a tour from Panama City. I had a friend who went with a group and it cost $40 USD per person for the boat ride and taxi there and back. To do so, get a taxi or Uber to Gamboa Marina. You’ll need your taxi driver to wait for you as it’s hard to get a taxi back to the city from here. If you don’t speak Spanish then you’ll struggle with negotiations, but expect to pay around $30 USD per person for a 30-minute tour (depending on group size.) When I mentioned before that doing a tour through Casco Viejo was a must, some people most likely weren’t that excited. I get it, city tours can be boring especially if you’re not into history – that’s where this next tour comes I handy! This food and drink tour through Panama City is a great option for those who find traditional walking tours a little boring. Instead of just talking about Panama City’s history, you’ll also visit some of the best places in Panama City to eat and drink. We sampled craft beer, enjoyed Panamanian coffee and chocolate, and even indulged in some ceviche at a local seafood market. The tour will have you learning, eating, and drinking your way through the most beautiful part of Panama City, and the best part is that you won’t leave hungry! The tour lasts for 2 hours, so it’s short and sweet. In my opinion, if you plan on doing this tour, do it when you first arrive! This way you can revisit the places on the tour as they are amazing!
If you truly want to get off the beaten track and have a taste of adventure, a trip to the San Blas Islands might be just what you’re looking for. Postcard perfect islands with palm trees and crystal-clear water gently lapping the white-sand beaches is what this area is all about. However, you need to be prepared to bring out your inner Robinson Crusoe, as the accommodations are generally on the rustic side. The only way to visit these idyllic islands is to book a package with the local indigenous Guna people, which includes transport to, from, and around the islands, accommodation, and three basic meals a day. This is a totally off-the-grid type of trip, so prepare accordingly.