Guna Yala (San Blas), Panama: travel guide
Autonomous Guna archipelago of palm-fringed Caribbean islands
Autonomous Guna indigenous comarca of some 365 palm-fringed Caribbean islands, reached by 4x4 and boat, known for molas, coral cays and rustic island cabanas.
About Guna Yala (San Blas)
Guna Yala, also known as San Blas, is an autonomous indigenous territory of the Guna people along the Caribbean coast of Panama. This is a region rather than a town, made up of hundreds of islands, many of them tiny palm-fringed cays with white sand and clear water.
Visitors stay in simple cabins run by local families, swim and snorkel over coral, and travel between islands by small boat. The Guna are known for their colourful molas, the layered textiles sewn by women, and you can buy them directly from the makers. Islands such as the Lemon Cays and the Holandes Cays are popular for their calm lagoons.
Guna Yala suits travellers who enjoy a simple, back-to-basics island stay rather than resorts. The dry season from December to April is the easiest time to visit, with calmer seas and clear skies.
- Country
- Panama
- Currency
- USD
- Time zone
- America/Panama
Last updated
Plan a Guna Yala (San Blas) trip
Top places to visit in Guna Yala (San Blas)
El Porvenir
Cultural · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The small administrative gateway island of Guna Yala with an airstrip, a few cabanas and a mola museum.
Cayos Holandeses (Holandes Cays)
Beach · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
The most remote and pristine chain of San Blas cays, ringed by reef and the "swimming pool" sandbar.
Isla Perro (Dog Island)
Beach · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Classic San Blas island with palm trees and a shallow shipwreck perfect for snorkelling.
Isla Pelicano
Beach · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A tiny palm-topped sandbank island, one of the picture-perfect stops on island-hopping tours.
Cayos Limones (Lemon Cays)
Beach · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
A cluster of inhabited and empty cays close to the mainland, a common base for overnight island stays.
Carti Sugtupu
Cultural · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Densely settled Guna island village near the Carti boat launch, with a small culture museum.
Things to do
- San Blas 3-Island Day Tour Adventure · 9 h · from USD 50 per person
- San Blas Overnight Island Stay Tour · 24 h · from USD 150 per person
- Mola & Guna Culture Visit Cultural · 2 h · from USD 15 per person
Day trips and tours
- San Blas Islands Day Tour 12 h · from USD 130
Where to stay in Guna Yala (San Blas)
- Island cabanas (Isla Perro / Naranjo Chico) about USD 100 per night
Rustic full-board island cabanas in the heart of San Blas.
Hotels
- Yandup Island Lodge 2-star · USD 130 to USD 220 per night
- Cabanas Narasgandup (Naranjo Chico) 1-star · USD 90 to USD 140 per night
- Cabanas Coco Blanco 1-star · USD 80 to USD 120 per night
Getting to Guna Yala (San Blas)
Nearest airport: Panama City (PTY), about 71 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Boat
- Walking
More in Panama
Frequently asked questions about Guna Yala (San Blas)
- What are the main places to visit in Guna Yala (San Blas)?
- Places covered in our Guna Yala (San Blas) guide include El Porvenir, Cayos Holandeses (Holandes Cays), Isla Perro (Dog Island), Isla Pelicano, Cayos Limones (Lemon Cays).
- Where should I stay in Guna Yala (San Blas)?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Guna Yala (San Blas): Island cabanas (Isla Perro / Naranjo Chico).
- How do I get around Guna Yala (San Blas)?
- Ways to get around Guna Yala (San Blas) covered in our guide: Boat, Walking.