San Blas journal

Practical notes on the transfer, the islands and Guna Yala, written from the road.

Getting there

How to get to San Blas from Panama City

Two roads and a boat: the shared 4x4, the private option, the small planes — and what the day actually looks like door to island.

Guna Yala

An autonomous territory, a $22 entry tax, mola textiles and a few rules that visitors should know — San Blas is not a resort.

Planning

Dry season, rainy season, wind, sea state and the weeks when Panama City empties onto the islands — how to choose your dates.

Planning

A soft bag of 13 kg, dollars in cash and the two things people always forget — the packing list for a night between islands.