Planning
What to pack for San Blas
· 5 min read
San Blas is simple: sun, salt, sand and very few shops. The packing list is short, but it has two hard constraints — the soft bag of 13 kg that the boats accept, and the cash the comarca and the islands run on. Here is the list that actually matters.
Beach and boat
- Two swimsuits and a quick-dry towel — everything dries twice as fast in the trade wind.
- Flip-flops for the islands, plus a pair of sandals if you plan the short walks on Cartí.
- A dry bag or waterproof pouch — between the lancha spray and the beach, nothing else survives.
Sun, insects, stomachs
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat — the Caribbean sun at sea level is relentless from 10 AM.
- Insect repellent, especially if you sleep on an island with vegetation.
- Motion-sickness tablets for the mountain road — 2.5 to 3 hours of curves is the real test of the trip.
The two things people forget
- Cash in US dollars. The $22 entry tax, the cabins, the excursions, the molas — none of it takes a card.
- A headlamp or a small torch — islands sleep with the sun, and the path to the cabin is dark.
On the transfer you travel with one soft bag up to 13 kg — hard suitcases stay behind, it is the operators’ rule. Extra or oversized bags: tell us when booking so we confirm the space with the boat.
Frequently asked questions
- What if my suitcase is bigger than 13 kg?
- Hard suitcases do not board the boats at all, whatever they weigh. Repack into a soft bag or backpack before the pickup — most hotels in Panama City keep luggage, so you can leave the hard case behind and travel light.
- Is there anywhere to charge a phone on the islands?
- Some lodges have power at set hours and some run on solar — charge your power bank before leaving the city and you never have to ask.