What to Pack for San Blas

Pack for a boat, not for a hotel. Everything you bring to San Blas gets carried by you, loaded into a 4x4, transferred into a speedboat and then onto sand — and there are no shops to correct an omission once you have left Panama City. A soft, small bag with the right things in it beats a big bag with everything.

For a day tour

• Biodegradable, reef-safe sunscreen, plus after-sun. Conventional sunscreen is discouraged near the reefs.
• Swimsuit and a beach towel. Towels are not provided.
• A dry bag or waterproof backpack. Spray on the crossing is normal, not exceptional.
• Travel-size soap and shampoo, which are also not provided.
• Sunglasses and a cap or hat.
• Snacks and water. Lunch is included on tours; everything between meals is not.
• A camera, and a way to keep it dry.
• Enough cash — see below.
• Your original passport or ID. A photocopy is not accepted at the comarca checkpoint.
• Motion sickness medication if you are prone to it, taken before departure rather than during the mountain road.

Extra for an overnight stay

• Light, comfortable clothing for warm evenings, and something to throw on when walking through a village.
• Water sandals, which handle sand, boat steps and coral fragments better than flip-flops.
• Insect repellent, on top of the sunscreen. Evenings are when it earns its place.
• A portable phone charger. Most islands have no mains electricity, so do not count on an outlet.
• A small cooler with your own drinks or snacks, if you want them — optional, and worth confirming size before you pack one.

The cash question

There is no cash machine anywhere in Guna Yala, and no card terminals on the islands. You need cash for the community entry tax — $22 for foreigners, $7 for residents, paid at the border of the comarca — plus anything else you plan to spend: molas from Guna artisans, drinks, snacks, and any optional extras. Withdraw it in Panama City, and bring small denominations, since change on a small island is limited.

What not to bring

• Large suitcases, beach chairs and coolers or ice boxes. Space in the vehicle and the boat is genuinely limited, and hard cases are the first thing that will not fit.
• Pets and animals, which are not permitted anywhere in Guna Yala.
• Anything you would be devastated to lose. This is a barefoot, saltwater, sand-in-everything kind of trip, and jewellery and delicate electronics do not enjoy it.

Frequently asked questions

How much cash should I bring to San Blas?

Enough for the community entry tax — $22 per foreign visitor, $7 for residents — plus whatever you plan to spend on crafts, drinks and snacks. There are no ATMs in Guna Yala and no card payments on the islands, so withdraw before leaving Panama City and bring small notes.

Do I need to bring my own towel?

Yes. Towels are not provided on day tours or in the cabins, and neither are soap and shampoo. Pack travel-size toiletries and a towel that dries quickly rather than a thick bath towel.

Can I bring a suitcase?

Not a large one. Vehicle and boat space is limited, and hard-shell suitcases are awkward to load and to carry across sand. A soft duffel or backpack is the right shape for this trip, even for a three-night stay.

What kind of sunscreen should I pack?

Biodegradable and reef-safe. Ordinary sunscreen chemistry harms coral, and San Blas reefs sit in shallow water exactly where people swim. Bring it with you — there is nowhere to buy it after you leave the city.

Do I need water shoes?

They are not required, but water sandals are genuinely useful: you will be stepping in and out of boats, walking on hot sand and occasionally on broken shell or coral fragments at the waterline.

Can I charge my phone on the islands?

Assume not. Most islands have no mains electricity, and there is no wifi anywhere in the archipelago. A power bank is the practical answer, and it doubles as a reason to leave the phone in the bag.

Can I bring my dog?

No. Pets and animals are not permitted anywhere in Guna Yala, on day tours or overnight stays.

Check dates and prices on our booking siteOpens on our sister site · sanblasfull.com