San Blas by car

can I go to San Blas with my car?

Option 1) you can do the transfer from Panama city to San Blas by your own. If you have a car and if this is a 4X4, because otherwise you will be denied access to the comarca, you can do the transfer to Carti on your own, it is simple and can’t get lost because there is only 1 road.

Only 4×4 are authorized on the territory, because there is only one road for the full territory and it is not acceptable for it to be blocked because a vehicle not adapted to the terrain is stuck.

You must book your water taxi in advance, the schedule is 8am departure. Iif you arrive unexpectedly, even in time, you may not have a seat on board and will have to wait for the next rotation of water taxis to be able to reach your boat. The price varies depending on how far the boat is.

Price of the transfer from Panama city to the boat going by your own:
You will have to show your passeport to the customs and will be asked to pay $20 per person of entry tax (Guna Yala is an autonomous province of Panama) and you will also pay $2 per person parking tax at Carti for a total of $22 per person.

The water taxi from Carti to San Blas will cost between 40 and 60 dollars per person for a round trip depending how far you need to go.

organised Transfer from Panama city to San Blas

4X4 Taxi and Water Taxi

Option 2) by a transfer company
This is the easiest and the most secure way. We recommend the company Lam tour for the transfers from Panama city to San Blas, because they are reliable and competitive for the price. They do transfer from Panama city to our boats since many years. We can give you their contact.

The 4X4 Taxi doing the transfer from Panama city to San Blas islands picks up travelers at their hotel in Panama city,  the 4×4 Taxi must also go through several other hotels to pick up the 6 passengers. You will be picked up from your hotel between 5.30am and 6am.

It takes 3h to 3h30 from Panama City to arrive at the port of Cartí. There is a customs post at the entrance to the comarca. You will be asked to pay $20 per person entry tax and also pay $2 per person parking tax for a total of $22 per person. Arrives at the port of Carti, a small motorboat will be waiting for you to transfer you to your boat.

Return 2 schedules options:

1) In the morning at 7.30 am after breakfast.
You will arrive in Carti around 8:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. A 4×4 taxi will drop you off in Panama City around 11:30 a.m.

2) In the afternoon the watertaxi will pick you up around 3pm from your boat and you will arrive in Panama City around 7:30pm

Price of the transfer from Panama city to San Blas:
TAXI 4×4 from Panama city + water taxi from Carti to San-Blas : 130 dollars per person (round trip) round trip depending how far you need to go.

transfer from Panama city to San Blas by plane

Albrook Airport, to Corazon de Jesús

Options 3) the plane

The other solution to get to San Blas is the private plane, the flights leaving Panama City albrook Airport, to Corazon de Jesús take only 30 minutes and offer traveling comfort.

It goes without saying that the financial cost of a private flight by plane or helicopter is significant. But depending on the date and the size of the group the prices are very different.
We can help you plan your flight to Corazon de Jesus.

What you should Know before

to do the Transfer from Panama city to San Blas islands with 4×4 taxi and water taxi

What should you know before to do the Transfer from Panama city to San Blas islands with 4×4 taxi and water taxi

Regarding transport, it is recommended to have a small bag or pouch with your papers inside and your money and to have your separate suitcase next to it. It is desirable to bring a waterproof suitcase or wrap it in film beforehand. waterproof (food film type) or a large trash bag at the last minute because spray on the water taxi is inevitable.

It is also important depending of the sea, in purpose to do not arrive soaked on the boat to bring a k.way.

Regarding sea sports.  For the preservation of corals certain practices are prohibited, such as kitesurfing, surfing, or harpoon guns. Do not take a surfboard with you, because the customs won’t let it pass the border.
Note that the boats are very often equipped with a kayak or a paddle board for entertainment.

Last remark, don’t forget that in San Blas there is no bank or cash machine, and your credit card will be almost useless. So bring cash to buy souvenirs, go to bars or treat yourself with a piece of Kuna art.

3 hours

is the time needed to do the transfer from Panama City to San Blas islands (carti dock)

$22 fees

Ancestral and preserved Kuna Culture.