![]() The islands of the Las Perlas archipelago offer some of Panama's most scenic views © Alfredo Maiquez / Shutterstock The coconut-strewn Pearl Islands are a vision of perfection Trips to these flawless islands are a safer bet during the dry season, though this is also likely to be busier and pricier. You will pay a minimum of US$100 per day regardless of which company you book through. When it comes to choosing an operator, San Blas Dreams, Cacique Cruiser, Guna Yala Explorer and San Blas Adventures are all worth a look in.īuying drinking water on the islands isn’t cheap, so be sure to bring supplies (or a water filter) with you. Tour operators handle all the travel arrangements, including transportation (dizzying drive included), accommodations, meals and inter-island tours and activities. It is possible to make the journey independently and arrange boat transport to the islands from Cartí, but it’s much easier to book via a tour company as they can pick you up from your lodgings in Panama City and drop you back again at the end of the trip. From here, you'll continue by boat to your designated island. Getting to Guna Yala involves a two-hour 4WD journey along winding roads from Panama City to Cartí, San Blas’ main port. Isla Perro (Dog Island) is a popular snorkeling stop, with colorful marine life that congregates around a sunken ship. If you book your trip through a tour operator in Panama City (these are a dime a dozen), you can savor the full variety of the archipelago, with day visits to multiple islands as part of your package. ![]() Accommodation is provided in basic cabañas (beach cabins) in Guna villages on the larger islands. You'll spend much of your time swimming, playing beach volleyball, reconnecting with nature, and letting the sound of the sea lull you to sleep in a hammock during the day. The best things to do on the San Blas Islandsĭivers take note – the San Blas Islands do not permit scuba diving, though there's good snorkeling off many of the islands. While the pared-back lodgings, intermittent electricity, lack of wi-fi and saltwater showers might not be for everyone, the beaches here are genuinely unbelievable. Mass tourism is kept at bay, so you’ll have plenty of beaches all to yourself with just swaying palms for company. The archipelago is a self-governing province inhabited by the Guna people, the indigenous inhabitants of this stretch of the Central American coast. ![]() The sea is gin-clear and can be seen wherever you turn in this group of 365 tiny islands – one for every day of the year. Officially known as Guna Yala, the San Blas Islands are the supermodels of Panama’s many tropical archipelagos. The San Blas Islands offer an unspoiled take on the tropical island experience © Jana Hake / Shutterstock The San Blas Islands have an island for every day of the year November 3 is the anniversary of independence from Colombia and November 28 commemorates Panama’s liberation from Spain, and both see plenty of pageantry and festivities. If you would like to join the revelry during some of the liveliest national celebrations, visit during Carnaval in February or March, or come in November during Fiestas Patrias, when Panama celebrates its two independence days. Panama lies outside of the hurricane belt so there’s no travel period to avoid. Whether you come in the wet season or the dry, the weather remains blissfully warm on Panama's islands. Expect more tourists and higher prices at this time. The dry season (January to April) is hot, humid and ideal for outdoor adventures of any intensity, from hammock-swinging to high-octane hikes through lush island-top jungles. In November, locals flee Panama City for the coasts, so you might experience higher prices and more foot traffic on the beach at this time. This is the most affordable and quietest time to visit, and while showers are common and sometimes heavy, it doesn't rain all day every day, so you can still enjoy the sand. If you like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain, visit Panama's islands during the wet season between May and December. There's really no bad time to come to Panama. Have an entire beach to yourself on a visit to ne of Panama's islands © Andrea Comi / Getty Images When to visit Panama's islands
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