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*** minimum 2 guests ***
*** minimum 2 guests ***
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Voted "BEST San Blas Day Tour" four years in a row, we’re proud to offer our most exclusive San Blas adventure—an unforgettable journey to the stunning and secluded Holandeses Cays, one of the most remote island chains in the San Blas archipelago.
Stretching along the Caribbean coastline for over 100 miles, the San Blas Islands are one of the last untouched tropical paradises on Earth. This breathtaking region, home to the indigenous Guna people, remains largely undeveloped, offering visitors a rare glimpse into a peaceful and simple island life. We're honored to collaborate with local Guna communities to offer you a respectful and immersive experience in their island home.
Our San Blas Islands Tour takes you deep into the Holandeses Cays, a rarely visited part of San Blas known for its crystal-clear waters, thriving coral reefs, and wild palm-lined beaches. This tour includes visits to 2 remote islands and a shallow sandbank, where you can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and disconnect from the outside world. Please note that exact stops may vary depending on weather and ocean conditions.
Thanks to our strong relationships with the local Guna communities, we are able to offer this exclusive experience at an unbeatable price and with exceptional service.
Your day starts early with a pick-up from your lodging in Panama City between 5:00am and 5:45am. You’ll travel through Panama’s lush mountain region in a shared, comfortable 4x4 vehicle, arriving at the Port of Carti around 8:30–9:00am. Along the way, we’ll make a stop at a grocery store for any last-minute snacks or essentials.
From the port, you’ll meet your island guide and hop on a lancha (motorboat) for a scenic 60 minute ride to the remote Holandeses Cays. While the ride may get splashy depending on ocean conditions, all our boats offer shade and safety gear for a smoother journey.
Your first stop is a secluded Holandeses island, famous for its soft white sands and vibrant turquoise waters. Swim, explore, or simply relax in paradise. These islands are some of the least-visited in San Blas, giving you a rare chance to experience them with minimal crowds.
At midday, we’ll provide a delicious lunch featuring freshly grilled fish or chicken, rice, plantains, salad, and one drink of your choice (beer, soda, or bottled water). Vegetarian and special options (like lobster) are available with advance notice.
Next, we’ll visit a remote sandbank or shallow reef, a natural swimming pool surrounded by water so clear it looks unreal. Enjoy snorkeling or simply float and soak in the surreal beauty of the Holandeses seascape.
Finally, we’ll visit one more wild island before heading back to Carti by boat. Expect to depart around 3:00–3:30pm, arriving back in Panama City by approximately 7:00pm.
If you’re looking for a true island escape far from the crowds, this San Blas day tour to the Holandeses Cays delivers an unforgettable Caribbean experience in one of the last wild tropical frontiers on Earth. We can’t wait to share this slice of paradise with you!
(Approx. times)
Our San Blas day tours include round-trip transportation from Panama City, a boat ride to the islands, island entry fees, lunch, and one drink. While there will not be a personal tour guide available throughout the day, our boat crew is more than willing to assist and will gladly provide more insights into their history and culture when asked. The indigenous Kuna are more reserved but when approached they will open up and be very helpful.
Yes, visitors must pay an entry fee to access the Guna Yala region. The cost is $7 for Panamanian nationals and $22 for foreigners. This fee is paid in cash at a checkpoint before reaching the port. Please bring cash.
Our San Blas day tours generally last about 14 hours. Pickup in Panama City is early (around 5:00 AM), and you'll return by 7:00 PM. The time on the islands typically ranges from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM, depending on weather and travel condition.
Absolutely! While the road to San Blas can be challenging, its curvy and steep terrain is part of the adventure, and the destination is well worth it. Once you arrive, you'll be greeted by breathtaking beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a rich cultural experience with the Guna Yala community. Many travelers find the journey adds to the excitement, making their visit to this tropical paradise even more unforgettable. With our experienced drivers, the road is handled with care, so you can focus on enjoying the experience ahead! Please note, that driving etiquette is different than what you are used to from home.
Yes, you can drive to San Blas, but it requires a 4x4 vehicle. The road leading to the port of Cartí is steep, curvy, and often in poor condition, making it unsuitable for standard vehicles. We do not encourage our guests to attempt this journey on their own. We also need to note that if you are delayed, our tour cannot wait for your arrival. Standard cars, Taxis and Ubers are not allowed to enter the Guna Yala region, so planning your own transportation can be complex
It's recommended to bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, a towel, flip-flops, a hat, snorkeling gear (we have a limited amount available only), a waterproof bag for electronics, and cash for extras like drinks or souvenirs
Yes, San Blas tours are great for families. The shallow, clear waters are ideal for kids, but keep in mind the long drive and boat rides when planning with younger children.
Enhance your Panama experience with these additional tours, each designed to complement your visit and offer even more insights into the country's rich history, diverse landscapes, and iconic sites. Check out the links below for more unforgettable adventures! We personally believe that the following adventures should not be missed while travelling to Panama.
Isla Grande Panama – Caribbean Island Hopping & Portobelo Fort - $118
Visit Isla Mamey, Isla Linton, Isla Grande, the famous Love Tunnel & the historic Portobelo Fort
Anton Valley Hiking Day Tour - $111
Join us on an active day in Anton Valley, hiking the crater and exploring the town. We offer two tour options for more variety.
Embera Indian Village, Chagres River and Waterfall - $69
Meet the ancient Embera tribe on a 6 hour cultural tour
Bioluminescence Tour - $39
Dive into another world as you float in a sea of glowing lights
While San Blas is a beautiful island archipelago with stunning beaches and clear waters, it also has its downsides, for which we would like to make you aware off.
In San Blas only the Kuna population is allowed to work in the territory. The services and infrastructure are not what most of us are used to. Kunas are not very service oriented and can often seem shy or reserved. A stay in San Blas can be compared to a camping vacation that offers minimal comfort, services and amenities. We strongly advise those who have 5 star expectations to think twice before embarking on this adventure. We do have alternative tours in Panama with more high-end services.
We really care about our reputation and we want our guests to enjoy their vacation with us. We attempt to be as transparent as possible in order to set guest expectations from the start. We do not own any of the islands and we pride ourselves in providing excellent service during your booking process and attempting to assist you during your San Blas vacation. However, please remember that we cannot guarantee the same excellent service during your stay in San Blas.
Please read all the below information well!
We kindly ask our guests to lower their expectation when visiting San Blas and to focus on the beautiful remote paradise that San Blas has remained despite the effects that modern society has caused to them. The Kunas are very gentle and kind people, but can also be somewhat shy at times. When approaching them with a smile and an open heart you will be guaranteed an innocent, happy smile in return. Arriving with the right mindset and expectation usually guarantees an unforgettable experience, where guests are able to focus on the beauties of the islands, beaches, ocean and the people, rather than on the limitations that we mentioned above.
Please read our Tour Cancelation Policy before booking.
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Tao Travel 365 strives to deliver the best possible customer experience. If at any point you have a question or concern about our service, please call us by phone at +1 (805) 826-3657 or email us at sales@taotravel365.tours.
The following cancellation policy applies only for Day Tours (DOES NOT apply for Multi-Day Tours).
Due to the nature of our business, the logistics involved with organizing tours and the high reservation demand following refund policies apply:
All sales are final.
For all bookings made via outside portals such as, but not limited to Viator, Expedia, Airbnb, please refer and adhere to the respective cancellation policy of the portal that you booked with.
If you are unable to realize the reservation, contact us as soon as possible and we will try to arrange and reschedule the same or different tour for you.
If you are not at the designated meeting point by the time of your scheduled reservation or pick up, Tao Travel 365 reserves the right not to provide a refund. However, we will always try our best to locate you at the meeting point and call your WhatsApp number, if one was provided. After all, we want you to visit San Blas and to have fun. That is our goal!
Occasionally, tours are canceled or postponed due to weather or ocean conditions, mechanical failure, or other unforeseen events. Should this occur, we will attempt to contact you about the cancellations and to inform you of refund or exchange procedures for that tour. For exact instructions on any canceled or postponed tour, please contact us. In the case of a cancellation of your tour by Tao Travel 365, we will refund your tour or schedule you for another tour, as detailed below.
All sales are final. No refunds are available unless a tour is canceled or postponed, or we are given 24 hours advance noticed whereby a 100 percent refund will be awarded. We will offer refunds of the full face value of the tour(s) that are canceled or postponed (or, if a discounted tour, then instead the discounted tour price paid). No refunds are offered on any service, payment processing or convenience fees. To receive a refund for a canceled or postponed tour, contact us at sales@taotravel365.tours within 2 days of the tour cancellation and write "refund" in the subject line. Instructions will be provided in order to obtain your refund.
No tour exchanges are offered by Tao Travel 365. While in some extreme cases we may offer this service (such as a cancellation by Tao Travel 365), it is not guaranteed and often impossible. Contact us directly by phone at +1 (805) 826-3657 or by email at sales@taotravel365.tours to inquire about tour exchanges. Fees may apply.
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