San Blas info please!

Hey Team,

Sorry if this has already been posted but we are on a tight time line and need to make some decisions right away!

We just arrived in Panama City and are looking to head to San Blas for a couple days. We are not sailing to Columbia, just looking to check out a couple islands. We would very much appreciate tips about:

Best places to check out
Best places to stay
Things to avoid
Prices to expect

Thank you!

Leah

I'd recommend flying into El Porvenir, the capital, and seeing if you can arrange a boat tour from there. It's relatively expensive to visit Kuna Yala, since the locals set prices, and it is their autonomous region.

Avoid swimming close to the settlements on the islands. When you see their toilet arrangements, you'll understand why. Don't assume you can take photos of the Kuna. Some will refuse, more will demand payment for a photo.

The islands are gorgeous. I took a boat up from Colombia last year, stopping at Puerto Obaldia, Mulatupo, Playon Chico, and El Porvenir.

If this doesn't sound your style, Bocas del Toro is another archipelago, close to the Costa Rican border. You can fly into there from Panama City too. Domestic flights in Panama are pretty cheap.