How to get to San Blas, Panama? The ultimate guide
Choose a 2 hour private or shared road transfer starting in any location within Panama City or a 50 minute private air transfer from Albrook local airport. Alternatively you can drive your own 4x4.
We understand the frustration of those guests that have had their Caribbean sailing vacations postponed. Lockdowns both in the origin countries and Panama halted our charter operations for some months during 202, but we are back!
Although we have resumed sailing in San Blas and our catamaran charters are slowly coming back to their original frequency, the truth is that most of our guests are still wary of the global situation and its effect on our charter operations in San Blas.
I previous posts we discussed how San Blas and basically renting a catamaran with your family and friends can be The best Coronavirus Isolation: a Caribbean charter sailboat; also in our post San Blas travel bubble approach we defined why booking a sailing trip and embarking on such a vacation can be very similar to a much needed travel bubble.
Now we will provide you info on how to travel to San Blas, board our catamarans and join our unforgettable charter experiences and sailing vacations.
You may choose between a road or air transfer, either both, we will guide you through the booking process.
ROAD TRANSFER
Most of our guests arrive to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, from there two options are possible:
1. Guests landing before 12 am can be transferred directly to the catamaran in San Blas with a private 4x4. Designated driver will be waiting for your group at airport arrivals. From the airport, a 1 1/2 hour road transfer will put you in the San Blas harbour ready to take the next water taxi to the catamaran. Wait at the San Blas port for formalities should be around 15 minutes and water taxi ride is around 30 minutes. Final price of the water taxi slightly varies depending on where the catamaran is located.
Total time for private transfer is 2:15 hours
Cost of all transfers per person one way: $70, for groups of less than 5 guests consult prices
Disembarking is at 7:30, final checkout time depends on water taxi availability
Arrival in Panama city to your desired location is before 12:00 midday
2. Guests arriving past midday to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City need to book at least one night at any hotel in Panama city. Next morning they will be picked up by their driver at 5:30 AM from the lobby of their hotel and from there is a 2 hour ride to the port of San Blas, then board a water taxi directly to the catamaran. Wait at the San Blas port for formalities should be around 15 minutes and water taxi ride around 30 minutes. Final price of the water taxi slightly varies depending on where the catamaran is located.
Total time for private transfer is 2:45 hours and you can choose between a private or a shared ride:
- Shared transfer cost of all transfers per person one way: $70
- Private transfer cost: 4x4 car is $220 with up to 5 guests and light luggage, private water taxi $150
Catamaran boarding is before 10 AM
Disembarking is at 7:30, final checkout time depends on water taxi availability
Arrival in Panama city to your desired location is before 12:00 midday
3. Guests already residing in Panama can simply drive their own 4x4 car to the port of San Blas and from there take our assigned water taxi. Final price of the water taxi slightly varies depending on where the catamaran is located.
Total time for driving your own 4x4 from Panama City to San Blas is 2:00 hours
Water taxi cost per person and way: $25
Catamaran boarding is before 10 AM
Mandatory: cars must be 4x4 in order to go through the Kuna Yala border
Disembarking is at 7:30, final checkout time depends on water taxi availability
Arrival in Panama city to your desired location is before 12:00 midday
AIR TRANSFER
This type of transfer will put you in Corazon de Jesus, the heart of San Blas and very close to Coco Bandero, Cayos Holandeses and the best San Blas islands to sail in approximately 50 minutes.
You may either:
1. Be picked up upon arrival to Tocumen International Airport, that is if you land before 14:00 PM. From the international airport our private road transfer will take you directly to the local airport terminal in Albrook. Depending on the traffic, it should take around 40 minutes. From Albrook is 50 minutes flight to San Blas. The catamaran will be waiting for you next to the runway, so no real need for any long distance water taxi rides.
Total time from Albrook local terminal in Panama City to San Blas is 50 minutes
Cost of private transfer from Tocumen International Airport to Albrook Local Airport is $90 for a maximum of 5 guests. alternatively you may simply catch a taxi just outside the International terminal at Tocumen, just make sure the taxi driver know exactly where he is going.
Cost of private planes for up to 8 guests with light luggage cost $1150- $1500/way depending on type of plane of your choice. For small groups, up to 2 adults and a small kid with light luggage, there is a smaller plane for $500/way.
Catamaran checkin is any time you decide
Check out: the same as your checkin
2. If you reside in Panama or you already are in Panama for vacations, work , etc... simply come to Albrook Local Airport and from there board your private plane transfer to Corazon de Jesus:
Total time from Albrook local terminal in Panama City to San Blas is 50 minutes
Cost: private planes for up to 8 guests with light luggage cost $1150/way, for small groups, up to 2 adults and a small kid with light luggage, there is a smaller plane for $500/way.
Catamaran checkin is any time you decide
Check out: the same as your checkin
As long as the pandemic restrictions last, we are boarding our guests outside of Kuna Yala, this way we comply with Kuna Yala regulations and not use their road or runway. More info here: Is San Blas open for sailboat charters?
Visit www.catamaranadventures.net for latest news of transfers possibilities and prices.
