San Blas Sailing to Cartagena

Sail from Panama City through the San Blas Islands, crossing the Caribbean Sea to the historic city of Colombia.

This is a classic sea route from Central to South America: spend the first two days exploring the canal, board a sailboat to spend three days anchored in the Guna Yala islands, and then sail non-stop for one to two nights to Cartagena. Cabins are cramped and the open sea can be rough, making this suitable for those who do not get seasick and can handle group living. Arrival times often fluctuate, so leave plenty of buffer time and do not schedule tight connecting flights.

Winds and waves are high from mid-December to April; children under 15 are often not accommodated.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive in Panama City Old Town

Panama City & Canal（Casco Viejo、Metropolitan Cathedral, Panama City）

Take a taxi from Tocumen Airport to the city (approx. 40 minutes) and walk around Casco Viejo.

Stay: Casco Viejo

Day 2 · Canal Locks & Departure Preparation

Panama City & Canal（Miraflores Locks、Panamá Viejo）

Take a taxi to the locks (approx. 30 minutes), and return to the city in the afternoon to buy supplies and photocopy your passport and entry stamp page.

Photocopying is not possible on the boat; prepare copies of your documents and cash in advance.

Stay: Casco Viejo

Day 3 · 4WD to Port & Board the Boat

San Blas Islands (Guna Yala)（El Llano–Cartí Road & Cartí Port、El Porvenir & Museo de la Nación Guna、Isla Perro (Assudub) Shipwreck）

Take a 4WD to the port in the early morning, then take a speedboat to El Porvenir to board the boat (approx. 4 hours in total); overnight on board.

The captain handles exit immigration; hand over your passport upon boarding. The departure port may be adjusted.

Stay: Chichime and Perro Diablo Islands

Day 4 · Anchor & Snorkel in Cayos Holandeses

San Blas Islands (Guna Yala)（Cayos Holandeses）

The sailboat makes short trips between islands (approx. 2 hours), anchoring for snorkeling; overnight on board.

Stay: Holandeses Cays

Day 5 · Cayos Coco Bandero & Sail to Open Sea

San Blas Islands (Guna Yala)（Cayos Coco Bandero）

Swim in the cays in the morning, weigh anchor in the afternoon to enter the open sea, and begin continuous sailing.

Those prone to seasickness should prepare medication in advance; follow the captain's deck restrictions at night.

Day 6 · Full Day Crossing the Caribbean Sea

San Blas Islands (Guna Yala)

Continuous sailing in the open sea for 24 to 52 hours without stopping.

Day 7 · Arrive in Cartagena

Cartagena（Getsemaní）

Dock between morning and evening depending on wind and waves, then take a taxi to Getsemani (approx. 15 minutes).

Arrival is often delayed by a day; immigration procedures can take up to 24 hours.

Stay: Getsemaní

Day 8 · Cartagena Old Town & City Walls

Cartagena（Walled City & Clock Tower、Plaza and Church of Santo Domingo、Walls of Cartagena）

Walk from Getsemani into the Old Town, explore on foot all day, and climb the city walls in the evening to watch the sunset.