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Who are we?Catamaran Adventures San Blas: All Inclusive Catamaran Sailing Charters for the discerning travelers. Specialists in only catamarans and the San Blas Islands, Panama: the perfect match. Our sailing grounds include the most secluded and idyllic islands of the archipelago leaving out of our itineraries the more visited islands with easy access to tourists. We point to Dutch Cays, Cambombia, Coco Bandero Cays and the other tiny locations: Paradise within Paradise where marine life is abundant, the indigenous super welcoming and the true San Blas still persists. Hassle free flight and road transfers from Panama City to the heart of San Blas. Choose yacht charter dates and your prefered transfer method. We take care of the rest.
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Is San Blas open for sailboat charters?We have been asked this question many times and always our answer is "yes", we are fully operational with no limitations of any kind.
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What makes the San Blas islands special?This is not the BVI, nor St Maarten or Bahamas: no constructions, hotels or mass tourism, no party scene and most importantly no foreign interference of any kind make this small part of Panama, the only and true Caribbean destination left. We want you to be part of this last Caribbean paradise, blend in and live in a natural way, engage in fantastic snorkelling experiences, visit all the islands and the interesting Kuna culture and indigenous ways. This is not the place for a boat party, for heavy drinking and loud ways. If you are looking for a party, please go to Bocas del Toro or to the Pacific side. Alcohol not only has many physical effects that directly threaten safety and well-being on the water, drink too much and you will miss out on the best of San Blas and it’s people.
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Transfers in/out. How do I get to San Blas and how much does it cost?We can take care of all your transfers in/out of San Blas. Transfers leave from Panama City but if you are somewhere else in Panama, please let us know and we will manage all needed Land transport, expect 4 hours/way total time, you are picked up and dropped in the location you specify in Panama City, cost is $70/person and it also includes the taxi boat, you will leave Panama city at around 5:15 AM, on the way back, expect to be in Panama City at around 12:00 AM. You may also come with your own car (only4x4), we will recommend the most reliable water taxi so that you can get to the catamaran reserved. Flying is a very interesting option, you bypass all border chaos, you will land in the most incredible part of San Blas, far away from the border and the islands filled with day tourists from Panama. Entering San Blas by air gives you the perfect start for your vacation, the plane flies over the jungle and then over the cays of San Blas prior to landing right next to the catamaran. No need for long tedious water taxi transfer. You can depart from Albrook local airport at 7:30 AM or which ever time we agree on. Alternatively, we can also arrange your flight from Tocumen International airport, directly after you fly in from your international flight. How much does it cost to fly to San Blas? Details info and prices here.
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What are the Requirements and Documentation Needed to Enter San Blas and Panama?Requirements for entering Panama Passport that is still valid and has at least six months left on it, 3 months for US and EU citizens Return flight from the country of origin or to the next place you want to go At least five hundred dollars (USD $500) in cash, a credit card, a bank reference, a letter from your employer, or traveler's checks are acceptable forms of proof of financial stability. Some nationalities are required to provide a greater sum. We advise you to confirm this information with your airline or the Panamanian consulate in your nation. Address of hotel and motivation for journey. Requirements for entering San Blas valid passport personal tax fees of $20 non resident or $5 Panamanian resident Make sure you meet these requirements.
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When can I travel?You can travel whenever you want! San Blas is an exceptional place to visit and sail all year round. Visit our blog post: San Blas, Panama: When To Travel?
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How long should we stay?Catamaran Adventures San Blas offers total flexibility in number of nights booked. Minimum quote is 1.5 nights, that means a late exit at 15:30. Any number of days is good for us, but for those travelers aiming to visit the legendary Dutch Cays or Coco Bandero Cays we absolutely recommend a minimum of 4 nights. Christmas minimum stay is 6 nights, Easter minimum stay is 4 nights. More info: How Long Should We Stay In The San Blas Islands?
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What is the best itinerary for sailing the San Blas islands?Enjoying the best itinerary depends on the number of days booked, type of transfer in and out preferred and interests or preferences of the guests. Whatever the itinerary, our crewed catamaran charters in San Blas are totally adaptable. More info on San Blas islands itineraries here:
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Where will we board the catamaran and where will we sail to?Make sure you check our proposed itineraries For guests coming in by air transfer, the catamaran will be located right next to the air strip. You will easily board the catamaran with a 2 minute water taxi ride and start your cruise. Cayo Coco Bandero is an easy 30 minute sail. For guests coming in by road transfer from Panama City, arrival is at Carti, the port of San Blas, there you will board the water taxi appointed by the transfer company. It is around a 40 minute water taxi transfer to the catamaran which will be anchored in Cayo Limon or any of the islands that compose these Cays. The exact location of the catamaran varies depending on the wind direction and sea state. Why Cayo Limon? because it's the closest island to Cayos Holandeses and its many islands. Depending on your starting point and the number of days you will be with us, we will adapt the itinerary to make the most of your stay. In any case, our trips cover the most emblematic places of the archipelago of San Blas, and Cayo Limón, Cayo Coco Bandero and Cayos Holandeses. You can always suggest an alternative route and we'll do our best to make it possible.
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Why are your catamarans not close to the shore and the port?If you come by road, the transfer company will drop you off at one of the ports of Carti which is one of the ports at San Blas. It is impossible to take the boat to the port since the area is extremely shallow because of the rivers, also it is not good for you to meet the catamaran close to the shore because the shore and muddy waters, landscape and so on have nothing to do with it the outer cays we prefer you to visit. it is much more advisable to have the cat stay for example in Cayo Limon so that you have a nice start and maybe a quick snorkel in the close by reef. From Cayo limon is a short one hour sail to for Cayos Holandeses. if we picked you up from the Carti port, you would need to add around 3 more hours to get to Cayos Holandeses. Not good. If you fly in it’s a whole different story. you will land next to the catamaran, and from there to Cayo Coco Bandero, it’s only a 45 minute sail.
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When and how do I make the reservation payment?You are making a pre reservation, no money will be asked until we confirm your dates and catamaran. Booking is easy: send us your request through the reservation form on our website and as soon as we confirm the availability and price we will grant you 24/48 hours to complete the reservation. Act fast because we are usually booked out and have other requests pending, you will receive an email with all details needed for paying the 30% and blocking your dates, we do take 60% for first payment if your dates include Christmas, Easter or any relevant holiday. The remaining balance you will pay cash upon boarding or bank wire 15 days before the trip starts.
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What does the price include?The rates shown on our website are for all inclusive private catamaran sailing charters. Prices include: - Captain and cook total of 2 crew or 3 when needed - Full board menu based on fresh lobster, crab, fish, meat, fruits, etc , also adaptable to vegetarian or any other dietary need. - Natural drinks and beverages, no sodas (moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages, 2 beers and 1/2 person per day. Open bar with all types of drinks included in the open bar option on the Salina 48 catamaran - Linen and towels - Dinghy with outboard engine - Kayaks and paddle boards. Amount and type of water toys depend on the catamaran selected. - Snorkelling and fishing gear - Shampoo/gel - Use of water for shower Prices do not include: - Transfers in and out: price varies between air or road - Mandatory $20/person entry tax paid to the indigenous and $2/person tax for port use if you use the road transfer and $20/person airport tax if you fly in. - Carbonated and any diet drink. Included in the Salina 48 catamaran - Items bought by the clients or any extra activity outside the catamaran - Travel insurance. Is it worth it? Visit our blog for more info on all inclusive catamaran vacations in the San Blas Islands.
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Can I pay for the trip in euros?We can accept any bank wire or Paypal/credit card in euro currency. Cash payments onboard must be in USD.
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Can I book through Airbnb?Of course you can. Take into consideration that Airbnb adds a somewhat hefty commission on top of our prices. Reservations are therefore more expensive through Airbnb. More info here: https://www.catamaranadventures.net/single-post/book-a-catamaran-charter-on-airbnb
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Can I pay with Bitcoin and Ethereum: CryptocurrencyYes, it’s possible, we are in alliance with Coinbase and Binance, the leader platforms that make it easy to buy, sell, and store cryptocurrency.
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Do you offer any discounts?Yes, there are discounts available depending on how long you sail: 10 nights -10% 20 nights -20% 30 nights -40% Not available on Christmas/Easter
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Christmas and Easter. What is the price for those holidays?Chrismas: +20% Easter: +10% Christmas minimum stay is 6 nights, Easter minimum stay is 4 nights.
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"I think it's a little bit expensive...""Our prices are fully adapted to the market and are justified based on the following criteria: - Catamarans cost as much or more than a big house and are definitely much more expensive to maintain. Our catamarans are the most modern and comfortable boats boats with professional crew in the San Blas islands, the boats have also a range of amenities on board, so the price can never be comparable to a guest house. However, the experience will never be the same either, a sailing trip is simply unique. - When you travel with us, our all inclusive catamaran charters are offered with a full crew consisting of captain, cook and a 3rd. assistant depending on the number of guests on board, thats a total of 3 crew that are at your disposal 24 hours and are responsible for ensuring the safety and maintenance of the ship. - Our catamaran charters is San Blas are all inclusive, which means you do not have to worry about any extra expense once onboard. We offer breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as natural beverages and moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages. Meals always represent an important part of the budget for a vacation, plus you have to prepare them by yourself, but we cook for you! Remember that an all inclusive charter service is always the best option for traveling and sailing, and after all, the most convenient and economical too. Read more: *** Should I sail San Blas on a catamaran or book a land-based hotel?*** Catamaran or monohull? which is best for sailing the Caribbean
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Free cancellation policy: Russian invasion of UkraineFree cancellation applies if your sailing vacation cannot take place because of any disruption caused by the Ukraine war. Should you Cancel your Caribbean Sailing Charter During the Ukraine-Russia War? Same free cancellation policies apply for all types of Corona or pandemic that happened to come.
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Can I cancel my reservation?Covid-19: check special booking conditions to facilitate your reservations. Canceling your reservation is charged 50% of the total amount of the trip if you do more than 4 weeks in advance or 80% of the total amount if you do it in the 4 weeks prior to embarking. As an option, we can free your dates and catamaran for your cancelled dates and find another guests to book them. If this happens, you will get full refund if the charter price is equal or higher than what yours was and if the new charter is less cost, then you will be refunded your cost minus the difference.
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Can I partially cancel my reservation?If any in your group decide not to travel for their own reason, normal cancellation conditions apply. Extra guests, depending on the catamaran, pay $200 , $250, $300/day. If for example a couple (2 guests) does not to join a 7 night trip, they will have their cancellation totals based on 7 night x ($200 x 2 guests) = $2800 50% means they will be charged $1400 if they cancel more than 4 weeks before embarking and $80% or $2240 if they cancel within the 4 weeks prior to the charter starting date. Covid-19: check special booking conditions to facilitate your reservations.
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In case of bad weather, can I cancel my reservation?Yes you can. Full 100% refund of all payments if travel is not possible because of weather. We want you to come back and experience San Blas.
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Is my trip worth insuring?Travel insurance companies offer different plans for insuring your yacht vacations, they may pay typically charge you 5 to 10 percent of your trip cost. Please consider insurance for your trip when there is any doubt or risk on your side All inclusive sailing charters and flights associated with the trip, can add up to a couple of thousand USD. Consider being covered just in case anything does not go well on your side or a force majeure cause arrises. NATURE OF TRIP CANCELLATION: On your side: Injury or illness prior to your trip. Sickness and injury are the top reasons for cancelling a trip, there are other minor ones such as jury duty or military deployment. Please consider insurance depending on your medical record. On our side: Cancellations derived for reasons on our side are basically non-existent. For example, if we encounter a technical failure on your catamaran assigned, we simply upgrade you at no extra cost. We will reduce the price accordingly if the catamaran we offer you is smaller in length. Force majeure: San Blas is not in the way of hurricanes and therefore is an all-year-round sailing destination. Forget about any cancellation derived from tropical storms or hurricanes because it simply does not happen. Yes, there are some months when rain can be a little too persistent but never strong enough to completely cancel your sailing trip in the San Blas islands. No earthquakes and no natural disasters ever recorded in Panama. Trip cancellation insurance will reimburse you 100% for what you lose in deposits > Is San Blas Safe Please Google "travel insurance international" or for example head directly to Allianz travel insurance. We are not associated in any way with this insurance company.
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What is the difference between a shared cabin charter and a private charter?We no longer have any shared charters, all of our catamarans are private. Going private is highly recommended, you have the boat for your own, that means no other guests on board with whom to share the sailing experience, that makes a lot of sense because San Blas is visited by a large spectrum of travelers with different interests.
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Are your catamaran sailing trips lgbt friendly?Sure, absolutely no problem, we are definitely no “old guard”. Take the plunge!
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Are your catamaran sailing charters eco-friendly?Reducing or not using plastic in our catamaran sailing charters is only one of the aspects that mark our operations in San Blas. We aim at protecting the more than 350 San Blas islands and the ecosystem around and at the same time providing the best sailing charter holiday in this remote and pristine part of the Caribbean. Please read our blog entry Conscious Sailing Charters and Environmental Awareness While Sailing San Blas for understanding our measures implemented to reduce waste and continue to live in harmony with nature and our surroundings. Yes, you can also contribute to preserving this archipelago while on your catamaran sailing vacation.
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Useful tips for your next trip to the San Blas IslandsVisit our following posts: *** San Blas Island Travel : 20 Tips for your Sailing Holidays *** 10 Things To Know Before Your Next Trip To San Blas, Panama
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Should I fly in to San Blas our take a road transfer?We strongly believe that air transfers compared to road transfers make a significant difference when entering the San Blas islands. Here are the facts: - Choose to come by road and the transfer will pick yo up from your hotel around 5:00 am, if you come by air, you will have to be at Albrook local terminal in Panama city at round 8: 00-9:00-10_00 AM, depending on what time you choose to fly in the morning. We can be flexible on your landing time, just ask us! - For road transfers, the ride ends at the port of San Blas and close to the most touristic/accesible areas, from there it at least a 40 minute water taxi ride to the catamaran,. That water ride can sometimes be a bit longer if the sea conditions are not helping. If you fly in you will land after 40 minutes in the most idyllic part of San Blas, next to Cayo Coco Bandero and the other totally uncrowded places; 2 min water taxi needed since the catamaran will be landed next to the strip - Fly in and avoid all the road chaos, which we think these years, and due to the high demand and all the Covid paperwork needed to enter the comarca through land, is going to test our guests patience. No queues at both airports. - Needles to say that a 40 min fly through the jungle and over the Cays is more interesting than an almos 4 hours (road +water taxi) ride to the catamaran. We are totally ok with both means in/out and will help you through all the procedure of booking your desired transfer. We would like you to please consider flying as your preferred transfer method. There are just not many planes flying into San Blasso booking your plane ahead of time is definitely a good move. Booking a plane can be easily done directly with the airline with simply a call/whatsapp/mail and a 20% deposit using credit card/paypal. If choosing the road transfer, please note that we are not responsible for any annoyances/delays since they are not under direct control. it is the Kuna indigenous who, by law, are the only ones allowed to manage road transfers and ports once inside the Comarca.
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Tansfers in and out of San Blas?If you come in by road with transfer company we recommend you will be picked up from your location in Panama City at around 5:00 AM. Be ready at the lobby or exact location at that time, from there you will take around +4 hours to get to the catamaran. Once in the port you will board the water taxi assigned by the transfer company and that the driver of your own car will point you to. Water taxi ride is around 40 minutes and sometimes more. At the end it depends on where the catamaran is located, and that varies according to the weather and charter itinerary. Expect to be at the catamaran around 10:00 AM, some companies will say to you its earlier, take our word for it, it's not, we have chartered San Blas for many years and it's always been the same time. Checkout time is around 6-7 Am depending on where the catamaran is and the water taxi ́s own itinerary. You will be in Panama City before noon,12:00:AM. If you chose to stay half day more, you will checkout from the catamaran at around 15:30 and arrive in Panama city around 6:30PM depending on the traffic. Checkout at 6:00- 7:00 Am, you lose a total time of around 8 hours in San Blas comparing to entering by plane. Self-drive is possible If you come in by private plane, expect to land in San Blas at around 8:00 AM. The catamaran is located right next to the landing strip in Corazon de Jesus, so you will board right away. On the day of checkout, you will leave the catamaran at around 7:30. Times on flights can be modified depending on your interest, we are flexible! Flight time in all cases is 50 minutes/way and the airport in Panama City is Albrook local airport. Contact us if you want to come in by plane, we will put you in contact with the flight agency.
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Why are road transfers so tedious?Basically all Panamanian and other international travelers staying at the islands near the shore and Cayo limón use the road in/out and and have to show their vaccinations, id card and pay the corresponding taxes as part of the entry requisites. That translates to queues and waitings at the road border control, for how long? we just don´t know. Once you pass the border, you will continue for around 40 minutes to the port so that you board a shared water taxi to the catamaran. You might catch your water taxi within 15-20 minutes or longer, there is no way to know exactly the wait. Once on the water taxi, then it is at least a 40 minute ride to the catamaran with probably a few stops on the way. No control over the sea state and water taxis are what they are, they tend to be open and bumpy and there is nothing we can do. Do bring a raincoat for the ride. Only kuna indigenous and authorized drivers/taxi boat captains are allowed to do this kind of job. No charter company is allowed to have our own car to do the transfers. It has been like this always.
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What are the cost of the transfers in and out of San Blas islands?We take care of all your transfers in and out. Simply notify us your pickup/drop off location, either in or around Panama city or directly at the international airport if you arrive latest 10 am. Land transport will take you around 4 hours and cost is $75/person/way including. the water taxi to the location where our catamaran will be anchored. Pickup. time is 5:30 AM at your home/hotel/residence or location you specify to us. Boarding the catamaran is around 10 Am depending on how busy the port is. On return day, expect to be in Panama City before 12:00 AM midday. Flying means bypassing all border chaos and landing in the most incredible part of San Blas, far away from the islands filled with day tourists from Panama. The catamaran will be anchored next to the runway. You can depart from Albrook international airport in the morning and flight time is 40 minutes. On checkout date, departure is the same time as your previous landing time. More info: *** How Do You Fly To The San Blas Islands? Flights From Panama City To San Blas *** How To Get To San Blas, Panama? The Ultimate Guide How much does it cost to fly to San Blas? Details info and prices here.
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Will there be other people on the catamaran if I book a private charter?When booking a private catamaran sailing charter it is only you and the crew which composed of captain and cook. For larger groups we do incorporate a Kuna Indigenous to help with deck work and act as a guide and translator so that our guests can venture deeper into the Kuna culture and communities if they so desire.
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How is food onboard?The uniqueness of our tropical sailing areas in Panama is also reflected in the cuisine offered in our sailing charters. We strive to make food served onboard a new, exotic and unusual experience, a deeper insight into the San Blas islands culture. Seafood is one of the most common cuisine types in the islands of San Blas. As a result of the short distance (very short...) from the sea to the table, it is served particularly fresh, contributing to its intense flavor. We mainly follow a "fishetarian" diet, a combination of fresh fish and diverse seafood combined with fruits, vegetables, legumes, eggs, rice and pasta. We can also have meat delivered to us but please don´t expect anything different than chicken, there is no tradition for meat in these islands, why should there be? You will understand once here. From March 1st to June 30th we respect no catch lobster season in San Blas. We can always adapt our menu to suit your needs: keto, vegan, raw... Also, It is important that we communicate any allergies and food intolerance you have to take it into account when preparing our menus. Snacks: We offer natural snacks and do not carry on board the typical prepackaged food, fast food or processed snacks. available at big supermarkets. All our dishes are made right there in front of your eyes. Do bring your own snacks, M & M's, chips. Ritz Crackers, etc if you are fond of them.
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How are the meals for kids?Meals for kids are the same as adults but adapted so that they fit their taste. If your kids like eating anything special, please bring it along or notify us 15 days prior to embarking.
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How is life on board, how is a typical day in San Blas?"Life on board is simply fascinating. The absolute connection to the sea in a tropical paradise stimulate your senses, natural medicine for your body and your mind. However, you should know that a sailing charter is not a vacation in a hotel. It is very important to understand this concept to ensure proper conduct on board. Regarding activities, the boat is equipped with 2 kayaks and 2 paddle boards, also snorkeling equipment for you to use freely, so being on the water and exploring the adjacent reefs is a must. The captain will be there at all times to assist you and to advise you on all the possible activities that can take place. Normal day is as follows: you wake up and have full breakfast, after a small rest the captain will propose an activity for you, you can either go to the island to meet the local Kunas and learn about their amazing traditional ways, you can go yourself to the island on one of the water toys available, there is probably a coral reef very close by so you can also go for snorkel, you can also simply relax and enjoy the view, read a book, etc., After lunch and a bit of rest you will also be advised of different activities to do, learn about the sea life around, go for a coconut on the beach or have a beer if there is a bar or Kuna hut near by, simply walking around the islands and all their beauty is a joy, you will have piña colada before dinner if pineapple is available at that time which we really try, and then dinner and sleep. The captain will change the anchorage at least one time a day so you will not get bored, trust me, children specially .
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Do we have to be afraid for sea sickness?Will I Get Seasick in San Blas? red our blog post. San Blas has no open seas because our sailing area is covered by a huge set of coral reefs. Behind those reefs are the cays. The bigger the catamaran the more stable it is. Our Salina has an impressive beam of 21 feet which makes it particularly stable in all kinds of weather Come in by road and you will have to "endure" a 50 min water taxi ride with head wind at times. Water taxis may cause discomfort if you are not the adventurous type. Choose to come in by plane and you will avoid that. The longer the trip, the more chances of getting used to being at sea Captains have a profound knowledge derived from years of sailing San Blas and will definitely not get you into any rolling anchorage or trouble associated with sailing. You will not be uncomfortable :) trust us. Those guests prone to seasickness will find it hard to get sick and even if they do get sick, land, a nice white sand beach filled with coconut trees is just a minute away, so they can easily disembark and escape, again, dont worry.
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Do I need any special vaccinations?Sanitary requirements of entry into a country depend on your country of origin. Please check with the foreign ministry of your home country or government agencies in health matters the specifications to travel to this area of the Caribbean.
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I travel alone or with my partner or friend, is it possible a shared trip?"We do not have any shared charters anymore.
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Is it possible to windsurf, kitesurf, surf, snorkel or fish in San Blas?"Join our adventure catamarans In San Blas and practice all the snorkeling and fishing you want! We provide snorkel gear for you to discover the amazing reefs of this Panama's Caribbean archipelago. Among our usual catch is mackerel, snapper, barracuda and tuna, plus octopus and lobsters by spearfishing. There are no specific restrictions to kitesurfing so if you want you can bring your equipment. The most windy months are between December and April as conditions remain constant between 15 and 20 knots. The months of January and February are even more windy. If you like surfing, bring your surf board, if in season, we will show you amazing empty lineups of barreling waves.
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What is "moderate consumption of Alcohol"?In our catamaran charters we include moderate alcohol consumption, excapt on the Salina 48 i which we have an open bar with all drinks included. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO ) , moderate consumption of alcohol is equivalent to 2 glasses of beer or wine a day, we add to this some cocktails made by the crew in the evenings. Alcoholic beverages offered on board are beer, wine and rum, the customer can always bring alcoholic beverages of their own if they wish. Included per person/day: 1/2 bottle of wine 2 beers afternoon cocktail Note that this is not a booze-cruise and that absolutely wasted to the point of endangering yourself or disrupting the charter or our operations will not be tolerated. What Not to Do in the San Blas Islands
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Why is your Pina Colada so famous?The simplicity in elaboration and the quality of our readily-available ingredients: pineapple, coconut and local Abuelo account for our delicious pina colada. Learn more
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Can I get blind drunk, wasted or wrecked on board?"Absolutely not. When a guest drinks, their cognitive abilities and judgment deteriorate, making it harder to make good choices. Balance problems arise and increased reaction time can be very dangerous while at sail or even at an anchorage. Inner ear disturbances can make it impossible for a person who falls into the water to distinguish up from down. Peripheral vision, depth perception, and difficulty in focusing are also the cause of drinking. For those and many reasons we do not allow over drinking alcohol while on your vacation in San Blas. Yes, drinking a couple of beers and sipping on some nice wine is of course tolerated and totally fine, but being drunk on board our catamarans and acting recklessly or disrespectfully will not be tolerated and for your safety, the captain will take all the necessary actions such as suspending the charter or totally cancelling the trip and disembarking your group. Please don’t miss out on what San Blas has to offer by drinking too much. The captain and crew are eager to show you the best of what San Blas has to offer and you need energy for that. Needless to say that anyone using any kind of illegal drug on board will be immediately reported to the authorities and the charter will be terminated at that point with no possibility of a refund.
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Children have special discount?Children under 12 pay 50% of the charter price. Check out this post:
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Internet on board?Some of our boats let you connect to the Internet, some other do not have that option, but do not worry, you can either go internet roaming with you own phone in San Blas or do the absolute best which is to buy a Digicel sim card and top it up with an internet plan, its very cheap and you will have a full internet for just a few $. Some places do not have internet or it is very intermittent, so just relax and enjoy the view :) You can buy sim cards very easily on the streets of Panama City, do not buy them at the airport arrival, they inflate the price there.
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Can I extend my catamaran cruise and check out in the afternoon?If you boarded the catamaran n the morning you can always go for this option. Late checkouts are charged with 1/2 night and are a wonderful idea to extend your stay in San Blas, both for short and long duration charters - If you came in by road, the latest you may checkout is 15:30 PM - If you flew in, check out is latest 16:30 PM
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What documentation do I need to bring?To enter to Panama you need your passport, confirmation of your returning flight or leaving the country. You can check all the requirements on the website of the Tourism Authority of Panama.
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Can I use my credit card in San Blas?Paying with credit is not possible. There are no banks or ATMs in San Blas and neither catamarans nor the few bars ashore have payment terminals. Although you can pay for your yacht charter reservation in San Blas with your credit card, once on your catamaran cruise you will not be able to use it and will have to use USD cash instead. If you're coming from the United States or anywhere with USD currency, you won't need to exchange money since the dollar is legal tender in Panamanian currency, it is used day-to-day,and therefore can be spent in San Blas. It is not the same for the Euro and this currency is not accepted most of the times and if it is, then the 1 USD=1 Euro rate will be applied with a significant loss to you. Changing other foreign currencies can be difficult in Panama. You can exchange money at the Banco Nacional which could possibly be out of your way or at de Panamá International airport of Tocumen. Remember to bring cash to San Blas but do not bring too much. Entry tax is a one time fee of $20/person, some island fees are just a couple of dollars/person but some islands are free to enter. Handcrafts, which you might want to bring back, are super nice and unique and each price of mola ranges from $5-$50 a piece depending on the quality. Bringing along $20-$30/person/day is more than enough. Tip to the Crew, only if you consider they went that extra mile is 15-20% of the charter. You can either have that cash or use a bank wire to our US account/credit card payment/Paypal and we will make sure it gets to the crew at that very moment.
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What do I need to pack?Bring only a few things in your bag, you don’t need much in Paradise. Try to avoid bringing hard luggage because it will take a lot of space in your cabin You should not miss swimwear and comfortable clothing in your suitcase. Also bring long sleeve t-shirts and pants both for when the temperatures drop at night and to protect from the sun. Do not forget the beach sandals or raincoat, since sporadic rain showers may hit between July and December. It is very important that you bring a cap, hat, scarf or clothing that protects you from the sun, and sunscreen. Mosquito repellent for when you are waiting for the water taxi at the port if you take the road transfer or at the runway if you fly in. Once on the catamaran, mosquitos are uncommon. Hair conditioner. We do provide shampoo and gel. Snacks: We offer natural snacks and do not carry on board the typical junk food available at big supermarkets. All our dishes are made right there in front of your eyes. Do bring your own snacks, M & M's, chips. Ritz Crackers, etc if you are fond of them. Extra alcohol but remember for safety reasons we do not allow being drunk on board.
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Can we use a hairdryer on board?Unfortunately not, mainly because of the power draw.
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Can we use a CPAP at night?Yes you can, we have power inlets that can be used for that matter.
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What currency is used and where can I exchange money?The currency in Panama is Balboa, equivalent to 1 dollar. Both currencies are used interchangeably. You can change money at any airport of arrival.
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How much money should I bring?Our cruises are all inclusive on board, except for the bareboat cruises, so the extra expenses once in San Blas are minimal. We recommend not to bring more than $300 cash, nor valuables.
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What’s the tipping etiquette for captain ans cook?Catamaran charter tips run from 5% to 15%. Final amount depends on the effort shown by the captain and cook and how he/she has improved the experience. You may give the tip directly to the captain or cook via cash or through us and we will hand it to whom you consider.
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Can I charter a catamaran in Las Perlas?We do not sail Las Perlas, we love unspoiled/idyllic destinations and because of its proximity from Las Perlas to Panama City and the ferry that unites them, the tourism industry has exponentially increased in recent years thus losing from our point of view much of its charm. Las Perlas has now many hotels, boats and business, it happens to a great extent as it happened to Bocas del Toro. San Blas is an Indian reservation and unlike Las Perlas, the islands cannot be sold to foreigners, and that makes a difference, here and there are no constructions, no noise or interference, the last paradise of the Caribbean, We have sailed everywhere of the Caribbean, trus us, San Blas is the last destination left untouched. More differences with Las Perlas among other things is that in San Blas the water is totally crystal clear since it is the Caribbean there are more than 350 islands with idyllic beaches of white sand and coconut trees, there is a very interesting local kuna indian culture from which to learn , a very important bonus, that really makes a difference.
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Covid relatedFor the sailing season of 2022-2023, Americans and all other nationalities are completely free to visit Panama: No vaccine requirements No pre-departure tests No post-arrival tests No quarantine once landing in the country We know that many of our clients will fear, in the event of re-confinement or border closures, losing their deposit or being offered a new postponement of their vacation. Book now with our special cancellation conditions including reimbursement of all your payments in the following cases : - New sailing charters taking place in 2023 & 2024. - If the borders of the host country or of the traveler are officially closed on the date of the cruise. - If a quarantine of 7 days or more is imposed on travelers returning from their vacations. - If boating or non-essential travel is formally prohibited in San Blas on the dates of the cruise. The obligation of a Covid-19 test (PCR) before or after the trip is not a sufficient condition to benefit from a refund.
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Who are we?Catamaran Adventures San Blas: All Inclusive Catamaran Sailing Charters for the discerning travelers. Specialists in only catamarans and the San Blas Islands, Panama: the perfect match. Our sailing grounds include the most secluded and idyllic islands of the archipelago leaving out of our itineraries the more visited islands with easy access to tourists. We point to Dutch Cays, Cambombia, Coco Bandero Cays and the other tiny locations: Paradise within Paradise where marine life is abundant, the indigenous super welcoming and the true San Blas still persists. Hassle free flight and road transfers from Panama City to the heart of San Blas. Choose yacht charter dates and your prefered transfer method. We take care of the rest.
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Is San Blas open for sailboat charters?We have been asked this question many times and always our answer is "yes", we are fully operational with no limitations of any kind.
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What makes the San Blas islands special?This is not the BVI, nor St Maarten or Bahamas: no constructions, hotels or mass tourism, no party scene and most importantly no foreign interference of any kind make this small part of Panama, the only and true Caribbean destination left. We want you to be part of this last Caribbean paradise, blend in and live in a natural way, engage in fantastic snorkelling experiences, visit all the islands and the interesting Kuna culture and indigenous ways. This is not the place for a boat party, for heavy drinking and loud ways. If you are looking for a party, please go to Bocas del Toro or to the Pacific side. Alcohol not only has many physical effects that directly threaten safety and well-being on the water, drink too much and you will miss out on the best of San Blas and it’s people.
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Transfers in/out. How do I get to San Blas and how much does it cost?We can take care of all your transfers in/out of San Blas. Transfers leave from Panama City but if you are somewhere else in Panama, please let us know and we will manage all needed Land transport, expect 4 hours/way total time, you are picked up and dropped in the location you specify in Panama City, cost is $70/person and it also includes the taxi boat, you will leave Panama city at around 5:15 AM, on the way back, expect to be in Panama City at around 12:00 AM. You may also come with your own car (only4x4), we will recommend the most reliable water taxi so that you can get to the catamaran reserved. Flying is a very interesting option, you bypass all border chaos, you will land in the most incredible part of San Blas, far away from the border and the islands filled with day tourists from Panama. Entering San Blas by air gives you the perfect start for your vacation, the plane flies over the jungle and then over the cays of San Blas prior to landing right next to the catamaran. No need for long tedious water taxi transfer. You can depart from Albrook local airport at 7:30 AM or which ever time we agree on. Alternatively, we can also arrange your flight from Tocumen International airport, directly after you fly in from your international flight. How much does it cost to fly to San Blas? Details info and prices here.
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What are the Requirements and Documentation Needed to Enter San Blas and Panama?Requirements for entering Panama Passport that is still valid and has at least six months left on it, 3 months for US and EU citizens Return flight from the country of origin or to the next place you want to go At least five hundred dollars (USD $500) in cash, a credit card, a bank reference, a letter from your employer, or traveler's checks are acceptable forms of proof of financial stability. Some nationalities are required to provide a greater sum. We advise you to confirm this information with your airline or the Panamanian consulate in your nation. Address of hotel and motivation for journey. Requirements for entering San Blas valid passport personal tax fees of $20 non resident or $5 Panamanian resident Make sure you meet these requirements.
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When can I travel?You can travel whenever you want! San Blas is an exceptional place to visit and sail all year round. Visit our blog post: San Blas, Panama: When To Travel?
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How long should we stay?Catamaran Adventures San Blas offers total flexibility in number of nights booked. Minimum quote is 1.5 nights, that means a late exit at 15:30. Any number of days is good for us, but for those travelers aiming to visit the legendary Dutch Cays or Coco Bandero Cays we absolutely recommend a minimum of 4 nights. Christmas minimum stay is 6 nights, Easter minimum stay is 4 nights. More info: How Long Should We Stay In The San Blas Islands?
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What is the best itinerary for sailing the San Blas islands?Enjoying the best itinerary depends on the number of days booked, type of transfer in and out preferred and interests or preferences of the guests. Whatever the itinerary, our crewed catamaran charters in San Blas are totally adaptable. More info on San Blas islands itineraries here:
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Where will we board the catamaran and where will we sail to?Make sure you check our proposed itineraries For guests coming in by air transfer, the catamaran will be located right next to the air strip. You will easily board the catamaran with a 2 minute water taxi ride and start your cruise. Cayo Coco Bandero is an easy 30 minute sail. For guests coming in by road transfer from Panama City, arrival is at Carti, the port of San Blas, there you will board the water taxi appointed by the transfer company. It is around a 40 minute water taxi transfer to the catamaran which will be anchored in Cayo Limon or any of the islands that compose these Cays. The exact location of the catamaran varies depending on the wind direction and sea state. Why Cayo Limon? because it's the closest island to Cayos Holandeses and its many islands. Depending on your starting point and the number of days you will be with us, we will adapt the itinerary to make the most of your stay. In any case, our trips cover the most emblematic places of the archipelago of San Blas, and Cayo Limón, Cayo Coco Bandero and Cayos Holandeses. You can always suggest an alternative route and we'll do our best to make it possible.
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Why are your catamarans not close to the shore and the port?If you come by road, the transfer company will drop you off at one of the ports of Carti which is one of the ports at San Blas. It is impossible to take the boat to the port since the area is extremely shallow because of the rivers, also it is not good for you to meet the catamaran close to the shore because the shore and muddy waters, landscape and so on have nothing to do with it the outer cays we prefer you to visit. it is much more advisable to have the cat stay for example in Cayo Limon so that you have a nice start and maybe a quick snorkel in the close by reef. From Cayo limon is a short one hour sail to for Cayos Holandeses. if we picked you up from the Carti port, you would need to add around 3 more hours to get to Cayos Holandeses. Not good. If you fly in it’s a whole different story. you will land next to the catamaran, and from there to Cayo Coco Bandero, it’s only a 45 minute sail.
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When and how do I make the reservation payment?You are making a pre reservation, no money will be asked until we confirm your dates and catamaran. Booking is easy: send us your request through the reservation form on our website and as soon as we confirm the availability and price we will grant you 24/48 hours to complete the reservation. Act fast because we are usually booked out and have other requests pending, you will receive an email with all details needed for paying the 30% and blocking your dates, we do take 60% for first payment if your dates include Christmas, Easter or any relevant holiday. The remaining balance you will pay cash upon boarding or bank wire 15 days before the trip starts.
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What does the price include?The rates shown on our website are for all inclusive private catamaran sailing charters. Prices include: - Captain and cook total of 2 crew or 3 when needed - Full board menu based on fresh lobster, crab, fish, meat, fruits, etc , also adaptable to vegetarian or any other dietary need. - Natural drinks and beverages, no sodas (moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages, 2 beers and 1/2 person per day. Open bar with all types of drinks included in the open bar option on the Salina 48 catamaran - Linen and towels - Dinghy with outboard engine - Kayaks and paddle boards. Amount and type of water toys depend on the catamaran selected. - Snorkelling and fishing gear - Shampoo/gel - Use of water for shower Prices do not include: - Transfers in and out: price varies between air or road - Mandatory $20/person entry tax paid to the indigenous and $2/person tax for port use if you use the road transfer and $20/person airport tax if you fly in. - Carbonated and any diet drink. Included in the Salina 48 catamaran - Items bought by the clients or any extra activity outside the catamaran - Travel insurance. Is it worth it? Visit our blog for more info on all inclusive catamaran vacations in the San Blas Islands.
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Can I pay for the trip in euros?We can accept any bank wire or Paypal/credit card in euro currency. Cash payments onboard must be in USD.
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Can I book through Airbnb?Of course you can. Take into consideration that Airbnb adds a somewhat hefty commission on top of our prices. Reservations are therefore more expensive through Airbnb. More info here: https://www.catamaranadventures.net/single-post/book-a-catamaran-charter-on-airbnb
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Can I pay with Bitcoin and Ethereum: CryptocurrencyYes, it’s possible, we are in alliance with Coinbase and Binance, the leader platforms that make it easy to buy, sell, and store cryptocurrency.
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Do you offer any discounts?Yes, there are discounts available depending on how long you sail: 10 nights -10% 20 nights -20% 30 nights -40% Not available on Christmas/Easter
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Christmas and Easter. What is the price for those holidays?Chrismas: +20% Easter: +10% Christmas minimum stay is 6 nights, Easter minimum stay is 4 nights.
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"I think it's a little bit expensive...""Our prices are fully adapted to the market and are justified based on the following criteria: - Catamarans cost as much or more than a big house and are definitely much more expensive to maintain. Our catamarans are the most modern and comfortable boats boats with professional crew in the San Blas islands, the boats have also a range of amenities on board, so the price can never be comparable to a guest house. However, the experience will never be the same either, a sailing trip is simply unique. - When you travel with us, our all inclusive catamaran charters are offered with a full crew consisting of captain, cook and a 3rd. assistant depending on the number of guests on board, thats a total of 3 crew that are at your disposal 24 hours and are responsible for ensuring the safety and maintenance of the ship. - Our catamaran charters is San Blas are all inclusive, which means you do not have to worry about any extra expense once onboard. We offer breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as natural beverages and moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages. Meals always represent an important part of the budget for a vacation, plus you have to prepare them by yourself, but we cook for you! Remember that an all inclusive charter service is always the best option for traveling and sailing, and after all, the most convenient and economical too. Read more: *** Should I sail San Blas on a catamaran or book a land-based hotel?*** Catamaran or monohull? which is best for sailing the Caribbean
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Free cancellation policy: Russian invasion of UkraineFree cancellation applies if your sailing vacation cannot take place because of any disruption caused by the Ukraine war. Should you Cancel your Caribbean Sailing Charter During the Ukraine-Russia War? Same free cancellation policies apply for all types of Corona or pandemic that happened to come.
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Can I cancel my reservation?Covid-19: check special booking conditions to facilitate your reservations. Canceling your reservation is charged 50% of the total amount of the trip if you do more than 4 weeks in advance or 80% of the total amount if you do it in the 4 weeks prior to embarking. As an option, we can free your dates and catamaran for your cancelled dates and find another guests to book them. If this happens, you will get full refund if the charter price is equal or higher than what yours was and if the new charter is less cost, then you will be refunded your cost minus the difference.
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Can I partially cancel my reservation?If any in your group decide not to travel for their own reason, normal cancellation conditions apply. Extra guests, depending on the catamaran, pay $200 , $250, $300/day. If for example a couple (2 guests) does not to join a 7 night trip, they will have their cancellation totals based on 7 night x ($200 x 2 guests) = $2800 50% means they will be charged $1400 if they cancel more than 4 weeks before embarking and $80% or $2240 if they cancel within the 4 weeks prior to the charter starting date. Covid-19: check special booking conditions to facilitate your reservations.
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In case of bad weather, can I cancel my reservation?Yes you can. Full 100% refund of all payments if travel is not possible because of weather. We want you to come back and experience San Blas.
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Is my trip worth insuring?Travel insurance companies offer different plans for insuring your yacht vacations, they may pay typically charge you 5 to 10 percent of your trip cost. Please consider insurance for your trip when there is any doubt or risk on your side All inclusive sailing charters and flights associated with the trip, can add up to a couple of thousand USD. Consider being covered just in case anything does not go well on your side or a force majeure cause arrises. NATURE OF TRIP CANCELLATION: On your side: Injury or illness prior to your trip. Sickness and injury are the top reasons for cancelling a trip, there are other minor ones such as jury duty or military deployment. Please consider insurance depending on your medical record. On our side: Cancellations derived for reasons on our side are basically non-existent. For example, if we encounter a technical failure on your catamaran assigned, we simply upgrade you at no extra cost. We will reduce the price accordingly if the catamaran we offer you is smaller in length. Force majeure: San Blas is not in the way of hurricanes and therefore is an all-year-round sailing destination. Forget about any cancellation derived from tropical storms or hurricanes because it simply does not happen. Yes, there are some months when rain can be a little too persistent but never strong enough to completely cancel your sailing trip in the San Blas islands. No earthquakes and no natural disasters ever recorded in Panama. Trip cancellation insurance will reimburse you 100% for what you lose in deposits > Is San Blas Safe Please Google "travel insurance international" or for example head directly to Allianz travel insurance. We are not associated in any way with this insurance company.
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What is the difference between a shared cabin charter and a private charter?We no longer have any shared charters, all of our catamarans are private. Going private is highly recommended, you have the boat for your own, that means no other guests on board with whom to share the sailing experience, that makes a lot of sense because San Blas is visited by a large spectrum of travelers with different interests.
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Are your catamaran sailing trips lgbt friendly?Sure, absolutely no problem, we are definitely no “old guard”. Take the plunge!
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Are your catamaran sailing charters eco-friendly?Reducing or not using plastic in our catamaran sailing charters is only one of the aspects that mark our operations in San Blas. We aim at protecting the more than 350 San Blas islands and the ecosystem around and at the same time providing the best sailing charter holiday in this remote and pristine part of the Caribbean. Please read our blog entry Conscious Sailing Charters and Environmental Awareness While Sailing San Blas for understanding our measures implemented to reduce waste and continue to live in harmony with nature and our surroundings. Yes, you can also contribute to preserving this archipelago while on your catamaran sailing vacation.
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Useful tips for your next trip to the San Blas IslandsVisit our following posts: *** San Blas Island Travel : 20 Tips for your Sailing Holidays *** 10 Things To Know Before Your Next Trip To San Blas, Panama
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Should I fly in to San Blas our take a road transfer?We strongly believe that air transfers compared to road transfers make a significant difference when entering the San Blas islands. Here are the facts: - Choose to come by road and the transfer will pick yo up from your hotel around 5:00 am, if you come by air, you will have to be at Albrook local terminal in Panama city at round 8: 00-9:00-10_00 AM, depending on what time you choose to fly in the morning. We can be flexible on your landing time, just ask us! - For road transfers, the ride ends at the port of San Blas and close to the most touristic/accesible areas, from there it at least a 40 minute water taxi ride to the catamaran,. That water ride can sometimes be a bit longer if the sea conditions are not helping. If you fly in you will land after 40 minutes in the most idyllic part of San Blas, next to Cayo Coco Bandero and the other totally uncrowded places; 2 min water taxi needed since the catamaran will be landed next to the strip - Fly in and avoid all the road chaos, which we think these years, and due to the high demand and all the Covid paperwork needed to enter the comarca through land, is going to test our guests patience. No queues at both airports. - Needles to say that a 40 min fly through the jungle and over the Cays is more interesting than an almos 4 hours (road +water taxi) ride to the catamaran. We are totally ok with both means in/out and will help you through all the procedure of booking your desired transfer. We would like you to please consider flying as your preferred transfer method. There are just not many planes flying into San Blasso booking your plane ahead of time is definitely a good move. Booking a plane can be easily done directly with the airline with simply a call/whatsapp/mail and a 20% deposit using credit card/paypal. If choosing the road transfer, please note that we are not responsible for any annoyances/delays since they are not under direct control. it is the Kuna indigenous who, by law, are the only ones allowed to manage road transfers and ports once inside the Comarca.
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Tansfers in and out of San Blas?If you come in by road with transfer company we recommend you will be picked up from your location in Panama City at around 5:00 AM. Be ready at the lobby or exact location at that time, from there you will take around +4 hours to get to the catamaran. Once in the port you will board the water taxi assigned by the transfer company and that the driver of your own car will point you to. Water taxi ride is around 40 minutes and sometimes more. At the end it depends on where the catamaran is located, and that varies according to the weather and charter itinerary. Expect to be at the catamaran around 10:00 AM, some companies will say to you its earlier, take our word for it, it's not, we have chartered San Blas for many years and it's always been the same time. Checkout time is around 6-7 Am depending on where the catamaran is and the water taxi ́s own itinerary. You will be in Panama City before noon,12:00:AM. If you chose to stay half day more, you will checkout from the catamaran at around 15:30 and arrive in Panama city around 6:30PM depending on the traffic. Checkout at 6:00- 7:00 Am, you lose a total time of around 8 hours in San Blas comparing to entering by plane. Self-drive is possible If you come in by private plane, expect to land in San Blas at around 8:00 AM. The catamaran is located right next to the landing strip in Corazon de Jesus, so you will board right away. On the day of checkout, you will leave the catamaran at around 7:30. Times on flights can be modified depending on your interest, we are flexible! Flight time in all cases is 50 minutes/way and the airport in Panama City is Albrook local airport. Contact us if you want to come in by plane, we will put you in contact with the flight agency.
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Why are road transfers so tedious?Basically all Panamanian and other international travelers staying at the islands near the shore and Cayo limón use the road in/out and and have to show their vaccinations, id card and pay the corresponding taxes as part of the entry requisites. That translates to queues and waitings at the road border control, for how long? we just don´t know. Once you pass the border, you will continue for around 40 minutes to the port so that you board a shared water taxi to the catamaran. You might catch your water taxi within 15-20 minutes or longer, there is no way to know exactly the wait. Once on the water taxi, then it is at least a 40 minute ride to the catamaran with probably a few stops on the way. No control over the sea state and water taxis are what they are, they tend to be open and bumpy and there is nothing we can do. Do bring a raincoat for the ride. Only kuna indigenous and authorized drivers/taxi boat captains are allowed to do this kind of job. No charter company is allowed to have our own car to do the transfers. It has been like this always.
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What are the cost of the transfers in and out of San Blas islands?We take care of all your transfers in and out. Simply notify us your pickup/drop off location, either in or around Panama city or directly at the international airport if you arrive latest 10 am. Land transport will take you around 4 hours and cost is $75/person/way including. the water taxi to the location where our catamaran will be anchored. Pickup. time is 5:30 AM at your home/hotel/residence or location you specify to us. Boarding the catamaran is around 10 Am depending on how busy the port is. On return day, expect to be in Panama City before 12:00 AM midday. Flying means bypassing all border chaos and landing in the most incredible part of San Blas, far away from the islands filled with day tourists from Panama. The catamaran will be anchored next to the runway. You can depart from Albrook international airport in the morning and flight time is 40 minutes. On checkout date, departure is the same time as your previous landing time. More info: *** How Do You Fly To The San Blas Islands? Flights From Panama City To San Blas *** How To Get To San Blas, Panama? The Ultimate Guide How much does it cost to fly to San Blas? Details info and prices here.
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Will there be other people on the catamaran if I book a private charter?When booking a private catamaran sailing charter it is only you and the crew which composed of captain and cook. For larger groups we do incorporate a Kuna Indigenous to help with deck work and act as a guide and translator so that our guests can venture deeper into the Kuna culture and communities if they so desire.
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How is food onboard?The uniqueness of our tropical sailing areas in Panama is also reflected in the cuisine offered in our sailing charters. We strive to make food served onboard a new, exotic and unusual experience, a deeper insight into the San Blas islands culture. Seafood is one of the most common cuisine types in the islands of San Blas. As a result of the short distance (very short...) from the sea to the table, it is served particularly fresh, contributing to its intense flavor. We mainly follow a "fishetarian" diet, a combination of fresh fish and diverse seafood combined with fruits, vegetables, legumes, eggs, rice and pasta. We can also have meat delivered to us but please don´t expect anything different than chicken, there is no tradition for meat in these islands, why should there be? You will understand once here. From March 1st to June 30th we respect no catch lobster season in San Blas. We can always adapt our menu to suit your needs: keto, vegan, raw... Also, It is important that we communicate any allergies and food intolerance you have to take it into account when preparing our menus. Snacks: We offer natural snacks and do not carry on board the typical prepackaged food, fast food or processed snacks. available at big supermarkets. All our dishes are made right there in front of your eyes. Do bring your own snacks, M & M's, chips. Ritz Crackers, etc if you are fond of them.
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How are the meals for kids?Meals for kids are the same as adults but adapted so that they fit their taste. If your kids like eating anything special, please bring it along or notify us 15 days prior to embarking.
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How is life on board, how is a typical day in San Blas?"Life on board is simply fascinating. The absolute connection to the sea in a tropical paradise stimulate your senses, natural medicine for your body and your mind. However, you should know that a sailing charter is not a vacation in a hotel. It is very important to understand this concept to ensure proper conduct on board. Regarding activities, the boat is equipped with 2 kayaks and 2 paddle boards, also snorkeling equipment for you to use freely, so being on the water and exploring the adjacent reefs is a must. The captain will be there at all times to assist you and to advise you on all the possible activities that can take place. Normal day is as follows: you wake up and have full breakfast, after a small rest the captain will propose an activity for you, you can either go to the island to meet the local Kunas and learn about their amazing traditional ways, you can go yourself to the island on one of the water toys available, there is probably a coral reef very close by so you can also go for snorkel, you can also simply relax and enjoy the view, read a book, etc., After lunch and a bit of rest you will also be advised of different activities to do, learn about the sea life around, go for a coconut on the beach or have a beer if there is a bar or Kuna hut near by, simply walking around the islands and all their beauty is a joy, you will have piña colada before dinner if pineapple is available at that time which we really try, and then dinner and sleep. The captain will change the anchorage at least one time a day so you will not get bored, trust me, children specially .
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Do we have to be afraid for sea sickness?Will I Get Seasick in San Blas? red our blog post. San Blas has no open seas because our sailing area is covered by a huge set of coral reefs. Behind those reefs are the cays. The bigger the catamaran the more stable it is. Our Salina has an impressive beam of 21 feet which makes it particularly stable in all kinds of weather Come in by road and you will have to "endure" a 50 min water taxi ride with head wind at times. Water taxis may cause discomfort if you are not the adventurous type. Choose to come in by plane and you will avoid that. The longer the trip, the more chances of getting used to being at sea Captains have a profound knowledge derived from years of sailing San Blas and will definitely not get you into any rolling anchorage or trouble associated with sailing. You will not be uncomfortable :) trust us. Those guests prone to seasickness will find it hard to get sick and even if they do get sick, land, a nice white sand beach filled with coconut trees is just a minute away, so they can easily disembark and escape, again, dont worry.
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Do I need any special vaccinations?Sanitary requirements of entry into a country depend on your country of origin. Please check with the foreign ministry of your home country or government agencies in health matters the specifications to travel to this area of the Caribbean.
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I travel alone or with my partner or friend, is it possible a shared trip?"We do not have any shared charters anymore.
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Is it possible to windsurf, kitesurf, surf, snorkel or fish in San Blas?"Join our adventure catamarans In San Blas and practice all the snorkeling and fishing you want! We provide snorkel gear for you to discover the amazing reefs of this Panama's Caribbean archipelago. Among our usual catch is mackerel, snapper, barracuda and tuna, plus octopus and lobsters by spearfishing. There are no specific restrictions to kitesurfing so if you want you can bring your equipment. The most windy months are between December and April as conditions remain constant between 15 and 20 knots. The months of January and February are even more windy. If you like surfing, bring your surf board, if in season, we will show you amazing empty lineups of barreling waves.
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What is "moderate consumption of Alcohol"?In our catamaran charters we include moderate alcohol consumption, excapt on the Salina 48 i which we have an open bar with all drinks included. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO ) , moderate consumption of alcohol is equivalent to 2 glasses of beer or wine a day, we add to this some cocktails made by the crew in the evenings. Alcoholic beverages offered on board are beer, wine and rum, the customer can always bring alcoholic beverages of their own if they wish. Included per person/day: 1/2 bottle of wine 2 beers afternoon cocktail Note that this is not a booze-cruise and that absolutely wasted to the point of endangering yourself or disrupting the charter or our operations will not be tolerated. What Not to Do in the San Blas Islands
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Why is your Pina Colada so famous?The simplicity in elaboration and the quality of our readily-available ingredients: pineapple, coconut and local Abuelo account for our delicious pina colada. Learn more
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Can I get blind drunk, wasted or wrecked on board?"Absolutely not. When a guest drinks, their cognitive abilities and judgment deteriorate, making it harder to make good choices. Balance problems arise and increased reaction time can be very dangerous while at sail or even at an anchorage. Inner ear disturbances can make it impossible for a person who falls into the water to distinguish up from down. Peripheral vision, depth perception, and difficulty in focusing are also the cause of drinking. For those and many reasons we do not allow over drinking alcohol while on your vacation in San Blas. Yes, drinking a couple of beers and sipping on some nice wine is of course tolerated and totally fine, but being drunk on board our catamarans and acting recklessly or disrespectfully will not be tolerated and for your safety, the captain will take all the necessary actions such as suspending the charter or totally cancelling the trip and disembarking your group. Please don’t miss out on what San Blas has to offer by drinking too much. The captain and crew are eager to show you the best of what San Blas has to offer and you need energy for that. Needless to say that anyone using any kind of illegal drug on board will be immediately reported to the authorities and the charter will be terminated at that point with no possibility of a refund.
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Children have special discount?Children under 12 pay 50% of the charter price. Check out this post:
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Internet on board?Some of our boats let you connect to the Internet, some other do not have that option, but do not worry, you can either go internet roaming with you own phone in San Blas or do the absolute best which is to buy a Digicel sim card and top it up with an internet plan, its very cheap and you will have a full internet for just a few $. Some places do not have internet or it is very intermittent, so just relax and enjoy the view :) You can buy sim cards very easily on the streets of Panama City, do not buy them at the airport arrival, they inflate the price there.
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Can I extend my catamaran cruise and check out in the afternoon?If you boarded the catamaran n the morning you can always go for this option. Late checkouts are charged with 1/2 night and are a wonderful idea to extend your stay in San Blas, both for short and long duration charters - If you came in by road, the latest you may checkout is 15:30 PM - If you flew in, check out is latest 16:30 PM
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What documentation do I need to bring?To enter to Panama you need your passport, confirmation of your returning flight or leaving the country. You can check all the requirements on the website of the Tourism Authority of Panama.
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Can I use my credit card in San Blas?Paying with credit is not possible. There are no banks or ATMs in San Blas and neither catamarans nor the few bars ashore have payment terminals. Although you can pay for your yacht charter reservation in San Blas with your credit card, once on your catamaran cruise you will not be able to use it and will have to use USD cash instead. If you're coming from the United States or anywhere with USD currency, you won't need to exchange money since the dollar is legal tender in Panamanian currency, it is used day-to-day,and therefore can be spent in San Blas. It is not the same for the Euro and this currency is not accepted most of the times and if it is, then the 1 USD=1 Euro rate will be applied with a significant loss to you. Changing other foreign currencies can be difficult in Panama. You can exchange money at the Banco Nacional which could possibly be out of your way or at de Panamá International airport of Tocumen. Remember to bring cash to San Blas but do not bring too much. Entry tax is a one time fee of $20/person, some island fees are just a couple of dollars/person but some islands are free to enter. Handcrafts, which you might want to bring back, are super nice and unique and each price of mola ranges from $5-$50 a piece depending on the quality. Bringing along $20-$30/person/day is more than enough. Tip to the Crew, only if you consider they went that extra mile is 15-20% of the charter. You can either have that cash or use a bank wire to our US account/credit card payment/Paypal and we will make sure it gets to the crew at that very moment.
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What do I need to pack?Bring only a few things in your bag, you don’t need much in Paradise. Try to avoid bringing hard luggage because it will take a lot of space in your cabin You should not miss swimwear and comfortable clothing in your suitcase. Also bring long sleeve t-shirts and pants both for when the temperatures drop at night and to protect from the sun. Do not forget the beach sandals or raincoat, since sporadic rain showers may hit between July and December. It is very important that you bring a cap, hat, scarf or clothing that protects you from the sun, and sunscreen. Mosquito repellent for when you are waiting for the water taxi at the port if you take the road transfer or at the runway if you fly in. Once on the catamaran, mosquitos are uncommon. Hair conditioner. We do provide shampoo and gel. Snacks: We offer natural snacks and do not carry on board the typical junk food available at big supermarkets. All our dishes are made right there in front of your eyes. Do bring your own snacks, M & M's, chips. Ritz Crackers, etc if you are fond of them. Extra alcohol but remember for safety reasons we do not allow being drunk on board.
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Can we use a hairdryer on board?Unfortunately not, mainly because of the power draw.
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Can we use a CPAP at night?Yes you can, we have power inlets that can be used for that matter.
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What currency is used and where can I exchange money?The currency in Panama is Balboa, equivalent to 1 dollar. Both currencies are used interchangeably. You can change money at any airport of arrival.
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How much money should I bring?Our cruises are all inclusive on board, except for the bareboat cruises, so the extra expenses once in San Blas are minimal. We recommend not to bring more than $300 cash, nor valuables.
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What’s the tipping etiquette for captain ans cook?Catamaran charter tips run from 5% to 15%. Final amount depends on the effort shown by the captain and cook and how he/she has improved the experience. You may give the tip directly to the captain or cook via cash or through us and we will hand it to whom you consider.
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Can I charter a catamaran in Las Perlas?We do not sail Las Perlas, we love unspoiled/idyllic destinations and because of its proximity from Las Perlas to Panama City and the ferry that unites them, the tourism industry has exponentially increased in recent years thus losing from our point of view much of its charm. Las Perlas has now many hotels, boats and business, it happens to a great extent as it happened to Bocas del Toro. San Blas is an Indian reservation and unlike Las Perlas, the islands cannot be sold to foreigners, and that makes a difference, here and there are no constructions, no noise or interference, the last paradise of the Caribbean, We have sailed everywhere of the Caribbean, trus us, San Blas is the last destination left untouched. More differences with Las Perlas among other things is that in San Blas the water is totally crystal clear since it is the Caribbean there are more than 350 islands with idyllic beaches of white sand and coconut trees, there is a very interesting local kuna indian culture from which to learn , a very important bonus, that really makes a difference.
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Covid relatedFor the sailing season of 2022-2023, Americans and all other nationalities are completely free to visit Panama: No vaccine requirements No pre-departure tests No post-arrival tests No quarantine once landing in the country We know that many of our clients will fear, in the event of re-confinement or border closures, losing their deposit or being offered a new postponement of their vacation. Book now with our special cancellation conditions including reimbursement of all your payments in the following cases : - New sailing charters taking place in 2023 & 2024. - If the borders of the host country or of the traveler are officially closed on the date of the cruise. - If a quarantine of 7 days or more is imposed on travelers returning from their vacations. - If boating or non-essential travel is formally prohibited in San Blas on the dates of the cruise. The obligation of a Covid-19 test (PCR) before or after the trip is not a sufficient condition to benefit from a refund.
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