How to Get from Panama to Colombia: Sailing San Blas Islands
Planning a Central and South America trip and looking for an adventure? How about sailing from Panama to Colombia via some of the world’s most beautiful tropical islands?
Sounds pretty great, right?
Spoiler alert: it is. However, there are a few things to be aware of. While the idea of travelling by sailboat on the open blue seems like a romantic and exciting way to travel, six days of boat life including 40+ hours on open water isn’t for everyone. So, if you are curious about the experience and looking for some honest insight, this is for you. Here’s how to get from Panama to Colombia by sailing the San Blas Islands- and everything to expect in between.
How to get from Panama to Colombia
While land border crossings are easy in many places of the world, including other parts of Central and South America, it is not possible to cross by land between Panama and Colombia. At least not as a tourist.
There is, in fact, a single land border called the Darièn Gap, however, it is known as one of the unsafest land crossings in the world. While some may refer to it as a ‘road’ the fact is the highway that was meant to be was never completed. Instead, the Darièn Gap spans roughly 95 kilometres (about 60 miles) through incredibly dense jungle. No bridges, no cellphone service, and no infrastructure.
If a dangerous jungle trek isn’t enough to convince you, the knowledge of violent gangs that live in the area and often prey on those who try to cross will. Unfortunately, many South American citizens (and even citizens of other countries) still try. They pay exorbitant fees to local ‘guides’ to lead them through to the other side where they hope to make their way north for a better life. Yet despite their hopes, many don’t make it. The crossing has become a major concern with the Human Rights Watch and the UN keeps tabs on it. The hope is that both the Panamanian and Colombian governments will step in. However, for now, it remains an unsafe ‘no man’s land’ that neither country wants to get involved in.
As a result, for tourism purposes, if you want to travel between Panama and Colombia your options are to fly or go by boat. Flying is easy, but if you are up for a bit of an adventure and want to spend some time in one of the most beautiful parts of Panama, then I suggest taking the boat from Panama to Colombia via the San Blas Islands.
Panama to Colombia: Speed Boat or Sailboat
There are two options to get from Colombia to Panama (and vice versa) by boat. The fastest is by speed boat. This is a popular choice for those who worry about getting seasick or maybe don’t have quite as much time. The trips are shorter as the mode of transportation is much faster. You still get island time, often sleeping in hammocks. However, I have heard it can still be pretty rough and bumpy and cramped- and sometimes people still do get sick. You are, after all, on the open water. Just not for as long.
The second option, which is what I did, is by sailboat. The journey takes about 6 days (weather/conditions permitting). It’s about 10 hours sailing to the San Blas Islands from the mainland, 3 days on the islands, and then 40+ hours straight sailing on the open blue once you leave the San Blas Islands. The boat serves as transportation, accommodation, and your dining room.
Sailing from Panama to Colombia Via the San Blas Islands: What to Expect
I’ll start by saying sailboat adventure sounds a little more luxurious than the speedboat option. After all, you get to sleep on the boat rather than in a hammock and it is a sailboat which is fancy, right?
Well, not so much. It really depends on the boat.
I’ll be honest. While I had an amazing time, it was not at all what I expected. I’m used to the sailboat I rent in Greece for my group trips which is small and basic but comfortable. The boat we chose to go from Panama to Colombia, The Wildcard, however, is best described as a floating hostel dorm in a budget backpacker hostel.
Picture this: 20 people, 2 toilets, no showers, random bed allocations (including some shared situations with strangers), and basically zero privacy.
Hey, I warned you: it was an adventure.
That being said, it was kept very clean and we all spent very little time downstairs in our ‘bunks’ anyway.
The top of the boat had a big deck with cushions and bean bag chairs. This is where we spent most of the time when we were on board. Meals (which by the way, were incredible) were served here as well. When the sun got high we created a little tent-like canopy to hide in the shade and some people even chose to sleep on the deck under the stars.
On the island days, we left the boat and spent the day swimming, snorkelling, and sunbathing. We had beach BBQs, played frisbee and volleyball on the shore, and drank fresh coconuts sold by the local Kuna, the indigenous people of Panama who live on and own the islands.
If I could compare it to anything it would be like camping. Adventurous, basic, low-maintenance. Not something I want to do long term, but I had an amazing time doing it and am glad for the experience.
About the San Blas Islands
The San Blas Islands are a beautiful Archipelago in Panama on the Caribbean side. There are more than 350 total islands but less than 50 are actually inhabited. These islands are considered a remote paradise. Life is slow here with little to do other than enjoy the water and the beach. Nap in a hammock, read on the beach, and snorkel the reefs. There’s quite a bit of marine life to see in the islands including sharks (I saw nurse sharks and reef sharks), rays, various reef fish, and dolphins. There are also crocodiles in the area (not joking) so don’t swim at night. However, do look at the water after dark because there is bioluminescence.
The islands are home to the native Kuna people, and while they do not live on every island they do own them so you need to be respectful at all times. Some islands will have food and drink for sale, others have accommodation options, and some are completely wild with no buildings at all. No matter what island you are on, remember that this is someone’s land. Cutting coconuts, for example, can cost you up to $100. They also have very strict rules about drones (many families don’t allow it and will charge you) so I didn’t bother bringing mine.
Sailing from Panama to Colombia: Cost & Inclusions
Each boat has its own cost. The one I booked, Wildcard, was $660 USD (January 2024). I had to pay a $60 USD deposit to secure my space via PayPal and then I paid the rest in cash to the captain when I arrived. Again, this was a very basic boat and there are some other options that are a little nicer for a higher cost. It’s worth doing your research. I booked via BlueSailing which works with several operators so you can take a look at the options there.
For our tour, I paid extra for pickup in Panama City ($25 USD) and then did the 2-hour drive to the coast where we met with the boat. All meals for the duration of the trip were included and, again, the meals were amazing. Our chef, Manu, was a fantastic cook who made everything from hummus and tabbouleh to a lobster dinner- all in the tiny boat kitchen. Drinking water was accessible but anything else you needed to bring yourself (including alcohol if you want).
We all had a bunk with bedsheets but no towels or toiletries were provided. I made sure to choose a voyage that ended in Cartagena (there are others that end in another part of Colombia) and the trip also included all the immigration work. As a Canadian, I have to pay a visa fee for Colombia and the service did end up making me pay in cash rather than on a credit card which was how I was originally told I would pay. Thankfully, I did have the cash on me but they did upcharge me a bit which wasn’t ideal. However, nothing I could do.
What to Pack
As you can expect, with a dorm-like setup there is very little room for luggage so you’ll just want to bring the basics on board. Don’t worry though, your big suitcases and backpacks will be safely stowed in a dry space underneath. That being said, they still recommend you take any tech stuff out, just in case.
You are living on a boat in the islands for 6 days so forget about looking cute and fashionable. To be brutally honest, you’ll likely be pretty disgusting at the end too so don’t worry about re-wearing clothes so you have clean ones at the other end. Bring a couple of swimsuits (and maybe rash guards!), a couple of shirts and shorts and maybe a light sweater or long sleeve for evenings- especially if you want to sleep on the deck. The same goes with toiletries- bring the basics. And I really mean basics. Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap. Don’t expect to be able to shave or do a proper skincare routine.
Other essentials you should pack for sailing from Panama to Colombia include:
- A quick dry towel or sarong that you can use as a towel
- Reusable water bottle. An insulated one is your best bet to keep things cold.
- A reef safe sunscreen (lots of it)
- Sunscreen lip balm
- Aloe gel in case you get burnt (you probably will)
- Snorkel and mask: Boats often have some you can borrow but not enough for everyone.
- US dollars- Tips for the crew and to buy coconuts from the Kuna
FAQ
How long does sailing from Panama to Colombia take?
The trip is meant to take 6 days. Day one is departure, we left around 4pm and day 6 is a late morning arrival. You will then spend 3 days in the San Blas Islands and one full day at sea. Keep in mind this is all weather-dependant.
How long did you get in the San Blas Islands?
They say you get 3 days in the San Blas Islands but it’s more like 2 ½. Each day we went to a new island but there was a bit of sailing time (no more than 2 hours) to get to each one. On our last day on the islands, we had to leave at 4pm to start the crossing. However, it also was dark by 6:30 so we didn’t miss out on a lot of daytime.
Did anyone get seasick?
Yes, people did get seasick even when taking medication. I did not, but I will say I felt a bit icky on our first night when I couldn’t see the waves and we had a lot of swell. Things did get pretty rough a few times, especially on the big open sea crossing. Laying down definitely helped and some people felt better sleeping on the deck with the breeze.
What were the group demographics?
Our departure was full so we had 20 people and ages ranged from 18 to 40. It was mostly solo travellers and primarily women. Overall, everyone got along and it was a really fun group. On a personal level, I think this type of travel would have been best in my broke backpacker days of my 20s rather than the type of traveller I am now in my 30s. But honestly, as long as you are friendly, can be low maintenance for a few days, and are up for an adventure you’ll fit in.
What do you mean no showers?
I really do mean no showers. So, we ‘sea showered’ as in we jumped in to get wet. Climbed back on board to shampoo and soap up, jumped back in the sea and then there was a big container of fresh water that we got a scoop of to ‘rinse’. Of course, we couldn’t do this when sailing across the open water so, not going to lie, everyone was pretty gross by the time we arrived in Cartagena. It wasn’t ideal but again, think of it as wild camping. Just the sea rather than on land.
Would you recommend it?
Without a doubt this was a very basic trip, but I really did love it. As mentioned earlier, I think it might have been more my style in my early 20s but, at 34, I still had a blast. Part of me wishes I picked a nicer boat but at the same time it was an adventure with a great group of people and I have lots of awesome memories. So would I recommend it? For sure. Now that I have done it, would I do it again? This particular trip probably not, I think I’d just go hang out in the San Blas Islands. Or, do the trip on a nicer boat (with a shower).
Can You Visit San Blas Islands Without Sailing to Colombia?
Absolutely! If you don’t plan on going to Colombia or don’t love the idea of sailing and would rather fly but still want to see the islands, you can. There are several islands with accommodation options to stay overnight or you can even visit on a day trip. Here are some options to consider.
- San Blas Island Hopping Day Tour from Panama City
- 3 Day San Blas Island trip from Panama
- 4 Day San Blas Island Hopping Trip
Ready to Book Your Trip?
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Airalo: download the app, pick what country you want an esim for, and after you purchase it follow the installation instructions. You can use promo code HANNAH3326 to save $3USD on your next esim purchase.
Truely: This one is easier in that it’s a one-time download instead of downloading an esim for each country. It also allows you to hotspot and tether- which not all esims do. Check out options here.
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