Top 2 adventure things to do in San Blas Islands

1. Two days and one night sailing the San Blas Islands

Two days on a Bavaria 35 sailboat — explore beaches, snorkel coral reefs, and engage with Guna Yala culture in an authentic setting.

2. Four-day San Blas Islands trip with Holandeses Cays visit

Four days and three nights in rustic beach cabins — snorkelling, guided boat tours, and local cuisine in the tranquil San Blas archipelago.

“Our experience began poorly with six guests piled into an SUV, leaving no room for our luggage. The driver placed our bags on the roof, and when it rained, everything got soaked. If they had limited the number of passengers to five, we would have had enough space for our belongings. The scenic beauty of the San Blas islands is undeniable, especially from the boat. However, the islands are not as idyllic as portrayed. We spent three nights on Yani island, which is overdeveloped and lacks environmental protections. Experts warn that these islands could vanish in the coming decades due to erosion and mismanagement. Yani, a mere two acres, may be among the first to go. Looking at the rows of tents, I felt like I was viewing a homeless encampment rather than a tranquil paradise. We occupied a private room that was more of a stall, featuring low walls and minimal amenities—just a bed. The sheets were old and tore easily, constantly slipping off the corners. Without a mattress pad, we often found ourselves on the bare mattress, which appeared not to have been cleaned. Additionally, we didn't observe staff changing sheets for new guests, nor did they sweep beneath the beds. There were no comfortable seating options outside—a couple of cheap hammocks, one broken, was all that was available. The bathroom situation was disappointing. Only one of three toilets worked properly, and the trash bins overflowed with used toilet paper. The two functional showers provided water that was bubbling and smelly, likely coming from a poorly maintained cistern full of seawater. Why not err towards collecting rainwater instead? While meals were usually acceptable, the portions were small, so bringing snacks is advisable if you're hungry. The tour promised two daytime excursions, but one to a remote island has been discontinued, although it still appears in the descriptions. The available excursion lasted a mere two hours, which left us mostly confined to Yani island during our three-day stay. We felt that one or two nights would have sufficed instead. I'm puzzled by the high cost of this tour. While I understand transportation fees, the accommodations seemed inadequate, and the locally sourced food (fish and plantains) would be inexpensive to prepare. It seems there is a significant profit margin here, with little concern for guests' living conditions. I anticipated rustic but found neglect instead.”— carlbenk