A week in San Blas on a catamaran and why you might want to stay forever
The adventure for San Blas begins. A transfer you won't forge
We spent a week in San Blas on a catamaran! everything started in Panama city. After a night of anticipation (and maybe a little anxiety), we were up before dawn to catch our ride to San Blas. Here’s where things get interesting—our transfer was an experience in itself. At 5:15 AM sharp, a 6 people, jacked-up 4×4 pulls up, and we set off for what felt like the beginning of a scene in an action movie. The drive was four hours of twists, turns, and tropical downpours that had me briefly questioning my life choices. Was summer in San Blas the best idea? everybody tell me it will be rainy Who knows! But hey, adventure, right?
Motion sickness alert: if you can grab a front seat, do it. You’ll thank me later.
After the car ride, we hopped into a “lancha” for a bumpy 1.5-hour boat ride. Honestly, at that point, I thought we might never see land again, but then, as if by magic, the sky cleared, and the islands of San Blas started appearing in the distance—paradise, at last!
Welcome to San Blas Paradise
Once we arrived at our floating home, the Lagoon 470 catamaran, Gitano del Mar, we were greeted with fresh fruit, juice, and a warm welcome from the crew. Side note: I highly recommend booking directly through catamaransanblas.com—we get a solid 15% discount compare to the exact same boat on click and boat platform , and who doesn’t like saving a bit of cash?
The catamaran was exactly as shown in the photos, and the islands? Even better. Within minutes, we were anchored near a tiny, perfect slice of sand in the middle of the ocean—straight out of a movie. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be a modern-day Robinson Crusoe, this is it. Only with fewer survival challenges and more paddleboarding. Speaking of which… paddleboarding is not as easy as it looks. I learned that pretty quickly after my first, very ungraceful attempt.
a week of Bliss (and Thoughts of Never Leaving)
Here’s the thing about San Blas—it has this almost magical ability to make you rethink everything. After a few days of hopping between islands, with nothing but the sound of the waves and the sun shining down (okay, sometimes clouds, but still), it was hard not to entertain the idea of quitting life as we know it. In the back of my mind, there was this constant little voice whispering, “Why not just stay? What’s stopping you from living in this paradise forever?”
Spoiler: I didn’t stay. But for a minute there, I seriously thought about it.
During this week in San Blas on a catamaran, we explored new islands every day. Each one was like a little gem—white sand, palm trees, turquoise waters. Since we went during the off-season, we practically had the place to ourselves. Honestly, there’s no better feeling than sitting on a beach, knowing that for a few fleeting days, the world has stopped spinning, and it’s just you, the ocean, and your thoughts (or in my case, my son happily learning how to paddleboard and play chess with the crew).
San Blas on a catamaran : Disconnecting to Reconnect
One of the best parts of this trip was how completely disconnected we were. No emails, no deadlines, no rush. Just time. And that’s a rare thing in today’s world. We spent our days lounging on the boat, swimming every chance we got, and eating the freshest seafood I’ve ever tasted. Lobsters, giant crabs, tropical fruit—each meal was a feast.
Sure, there wasn’t any air conditioning, but with the sea breeze and the occasional dip in the water, it wasn’t a problem. At night, the crew gave us this massive portable fan that made all the difference when sleeping in the cabin. Pro tip: don’t even try it without the fan, but with it? You’re golden.
The Simple Joys of Island Life
The crew aboard Gitano del Mar was fantastic—friendly but never in your face. They struck the perfect balance between being helpful and letting us soak in the tranquility of the place. My son even got to steer the boat at one point (which may or may not have been the highlight of his year). Between learning to paddleboard and playing games with the crew, he came back with a head full of memories. If nothing else, this trip was worth it for that alone.
As for me? I came back with a head full of daydreams about abandoning all responsibilities and living the island life indefinitely. I mean, who wouldn’t want to swap daily commutes for paddling between islands and napping under palm trees?
Final Thoughts
If you’re considering a week in San Blas on a catamaran, be prepared for a bit of an adventure. The transfer’s not easy—trust me on this—but the reward? Oh, it’s so worth it. I might still be daydreaming about staying there forever, but for now, reality calls.
That said, if you’re looking for an escape that lets you truly disconnect, feel at peace, and wonder (even for just a moment) if maybe—just maybe—you should never go back, San Blas is waiting for you. And if you want to save some cash while you’re at it, book directly with catamaransanblas.com. You’ll get a discount and start your adventure off right. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the one who finally makes the leap and stays there forever. And if you do? Send me a postcard.
