The San Blas Islands Sailing Blog

We have been waiting a long time to share this news. The extraordinarily rare albino nurse shark previously documented in San Blas has been spotted again alive, moving calmly through the clear Caribbean water and accompanied by a group of normally colored nurse sharks. When we published our first story about the elusive albino nurse shark in San Blas, we hoped that we would eventually encounter him again. San Blas is immense, however, and its hundreds of islands, reefs, lagoo

Imagine waking up aboard your catamaran, walking to the stern and stepping almost directly onto a deserted tropical beach. No marina, dock or long dinghy ride—just a few steps between the catamaran and the sand, with coconut palms rising immediately behind it. Catamaran positioned beside a tropical beach during a San Blas sailing charter Almost nowhere else in the world can a charter catamaran be positioned like this. It is one of the experiences that makes sailing in San Bla

Panama is one of the few destinations in Latin America where the US dollar is used for almost everything. For international visitors, that means the cost of a Panama vacation can change considerably—even when the published price in dollars remains exactly the same. When the US dollar weakens against your home currency, every dollar-priced part of the trip becomes less expensive: the catamaran charter, transfers, hotels in Panama City, restaurant meals and local flights. On a

If you are planning a sailing vacation in Panama, one of your first questions will probably be: How much does a private catamaran charter in San Blas cost? Bedisup,the San Blas islands. In 2026, a private, fully crewed and all-inclusive catamaran charter in San Blas starts at approximately US$1,800 per night for two adults. Larger premium catamarans start from US$2,200 to US$2,700 per night, depending on the size, layout and onboard amenities. The final price depends primaril

Recent news about the Panama Canal may contain an unexpected message for travelers considering San Blas in the coming months: Panama could experience considerably less rainfall than usual. The Panama Canal Authority has announced that it will reduce the number of daily vessel transits beginning in September. The decision is intended to conserve water as a strengthening El Niño is expected to bring drier and warmer conditions to the region. The Canal depends on freshwater from

San Blas is often described as one of the last untouched paradises in the Caribbean. And in many parts of the archipelago, that description is completely justified. But here's something visitors don't always realize before arriving: Not every San Blas experience is the same. You can spend the day on a busy island surrounded by day-trippers and boats, or wake up anchored beside a tiny palm-covered cay with nobody else around. Both experiences can happen in San Blas, sometimes

Booking a Private San Blas catamaran charter is very different from reserving a normal hotel or even a sailing charter elsewhere. You will be staying on a boat in a remote archipelago, relying on the same company for your catamaran, crew, meals, transfers and most daily activities. A professional charter operator should be able to answer the following questions clearly before you pay a deposit. Sailing charters in San Blas. 1. What Is Really Included? An all-inclusive catamar

This is one of the most common questions parents ask before booking a family catamaran charter and travelling with kids in San Blas. The reality is that most children become completely absorbed in San Blas. Every day brings a different island, beach, anchorage and underwater environment. They can swim before breakfast, paddle to an island, snorkel around the boat, explore the beach, meet local children and watch fish or nurse sharks beneath the catamaran. Unforgettable memori

When comparing catamaran charters in San Blas, air conditioning can appear to be a simple item on an amenities list. However, there is an important question that guests should ask before booking: San Blas Charters When are you actually allowed to use it? Some charter operators advertise air conditioning but restrict its use to certain hours, allow it only briefly before bedtime, or turn it off during the night to reduce generator use and fuel consumption. Others may impose an

Before diving in, we'd like to revisit a topic that often raises questions among first-time visitors to San Blas: how to actually get there. Although we've covered transportation before, it's one of the most frequently asked questions we receive. Since transfer options, schedules, and guest preferences evolve over time, we felt it was worth updating this guide with the latest information, practical advice, and a clear comparison of each option. How to get to the San Blas isla