San Blas Adventures

General information
Panama to Colombia
Here you will find everything you need to know to be totally ready for your
San Blas Adventure!
Our trip
Is 3 nights and 4 days island hopping in San Blas from Carti in Panama to
Sapzurro in Colombia.
Meeting the day before the trip

We organise a meeting at 10am the day before the trip in Lunas Castle, a
hostel in the old town of Panama City (Casco Viejo).
This way we can brief you fully and make sure you are totally ready for the
trip and collect the remaining payment. This meeting is really important so
please be there if you can!!
If you're not staying in Casco Viejo you can use this opportunity to visit the
beautiful old town or take a walk along Panama's new waterfront paseo. If
you like seafood you will love the fish market, "Mercado de mariscos" is
just 10 minutes walk from Luna's Castle.
The trip starts in Carti

Our trip starts in Carti at the beginning of San Blas. To get there you will
need to take a jeep from Panama City. This is not our company, and is not
included in our trip, however we can help you organise it. All you need to
do is let us know where you're staying. Jeep cost is $30pp and there are
$12 of fees entering San Blas.
Important note about cars: Although we help you organize the cars from
Panama City to Carti the car service is not part of our service. They have
to pick up many people in the morning from different hostels. Sometimes
they're late, unorganized, or unfriendly. There are only 45 cars allowed
access into San Blas. We do our best to choose the most professional,
organized and punctual, however, if it doesn't all go to plan please be
patient and understanding. Caribbean time! Please contact us if the car
hasn't arrived on time or if there are any other issues.
Trip preparation
Here is an overview of how to get ready for the trip
Reserve your place and make sure we have all your details
Please advise us before booking if you have a flight booked before
or after the trip.
Read thoroughly through all the information we send you.
Make two copies of your passport for immigration.
Cash - there are no cash machines between Panama City and
Turbo.
Separate your bags so that you take everything you need for the trip
in your small bag and all the rest in your big bag which will be stored
away.
How to pack
Put what you will use for the trip in your small bag. This is the bag you
will keep with you for the trip. Think carefully about what youll need to
bring.
Pack your big pack with everything you dont need as you will not have
access to it during the trip. We advise that for extra protection you
double bag your electronics and important documents in plastic bags and
tape them up so they are 100% sealed. In the unlikely event of damage we
cannot be held responsible for your belongings.
Passport: You will need your passport during the jeep ride into San Blas.
The next time you will need it is for immigration on the last day of the trip.
We suggest storing your passport in a sealed plastic bag (ziplock).
Ideas for what to bring:
Change of clothes
Swimsuit
Towel
Torch/flashlight (optional)
Camera (can be charged on one island)
Warm clothes or a sheet to sleep in
Warm jumper/sweater/light jacket
Some dollars to buy drinks, coconuts, Kuna art etc.
Sun block/after sun
Insect repellent - baby or coconut oil for sandflies
Water
Snacks
Cigarettes (enough for the whole trip)
Good spirits! Including rum!!!
Money - Prepare for no cash machines

Colombia is Pesos COP
Youll be changing countries during our trip and Colombia is in Pesos.
There are NO CASH MACHINES (ATM) in Carti, San Blas, Sapzurro or
Capurgana, till you get to Turbo. You will need to take out all the money
for the trip in Panama City. You can get a good exchange rate in Panama
City or you can change dollars for pesos in Sapzurro and Capurgana.
Payment for the trip should be in dollars and in cash the day before the
trip during the meeting. We use PayPal only to take deposits not for full
payment. We suggest taking money out a few days before the trip to
avoid last minute problems.
Our trip is all inclusive, except for drinks. How much money you need will
depend on how much you drink and if you buy extras like Kuna art.
We recommend you bring at least 300,000 colombian pesos & $50. This
is more than you need and will get you easily to Cartagena or Medellin
after the trip, or allow you to spend a few days enjoying the Colombian
highlights Capurgana, Sapzurro & La Miel.
Money Exchange in Panama City:
Euro Cambio: Calle Ricardo Arias (off Via Espaa, near Via Veneto)
Tel: 209-1016 / 209-1095 These guys give an above market exchange rate
(thats a good thing!). There are also other Casa de Cambio in this area.
Another one thats easier to find is Eurix. Situated on the bottom floor of
the Veneto hotel on Via Veneto. Tel: 2098080 Email: www.eurex.com.pa
Trip ends in Sapzurro - Colombia

Our trip ends in Sapzurro, Colombia, between La Miel and Capurgana.
These are some of the most beautiful, off the beaten track bays you will
ever see. White sand beaches backed by untouched jungle, vibrant
Caribbean villages in bays you can walk between. NO ROADS! Just horse
and cart transport, waterfalls, hikes, a natural Jacuzzi, and some of
Colombias best diving. There IS a danger though.. you may want to stay
Travel after to Cartagena or medellin

After the trip you will need to spend one night in Caprugana. Then you will
have the option to stay longer and enjoy the area or travel on to Cartagena
or medellin. To get to either of these places it takes one day, leaving in
morning and arriving in the evening. The journey consists of one boat ride
and one or two bus rides.
Check the website F.A.Q for full information on travel from

Sapzurro to Cartagena or Medellin.
Food
Food is included from lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day.
We take care to provide a tasty menu including some of the local cuisine,
lobster when available, as well as a good dose of gringo food.
Special diets: Let us know in advance of any special dietary needs and
we will be more than happy to accommodate.
Its also a good idea to bring snacks, lounging around on islands can be
hard work.
Drinks
Drinks are not included
Water: We recommend around 1 gallon per person before the trip as you
can also buy water on some of the islands
Cold beers, sodas and coconuts: can be purchased from most of the
islands during the trip with a cost of $1-2 depending on the island.
Rum: A popular drink among guests, should be bought before the trip as it
is usually not available on the islands. Mixes are however available to buy
with coco-loco being a favourite island delight.
Accommodations
We stay in a mixture of Kuna and deserted island, mostly sleeping in
hammocks. This is a great part of our experience and is surprisingly
comfortable. The trick is to sleep diagonally!
The islands we stay on are mostly bug free but its a good idea to bring
some repellent anyway. In the rainy season there may be sandflies on
some islands. Some kind of oil, like baby oil or coconut oil are the best
defence for sandflies and no-seems (chitras)
Team spirit
Nothing is expected of you except to enjoy yourself, have a good time,

and wash your plate. However, if youre the kind of person who likes to
get involved youre more than welcome to help us out during the trip,
chopping veggies for example, or with whatever else is going on.
Immigration & Kuna fees

We take care of your stamp out of Panama as well as your fees for staying
on the islands of Kuna Yala. On the Colombian side stamping in is free
and is done in Capurgana, by you, with our guidance.
Drugs
Be 100% sure you have NO DRUGS with you on the trip. At some point
the authorities may check all your luggage, in which case they will find
whatever you have and you will go to jail for a very long time, like 10 years!
Not fun. Rum on the other hand is legal and lots of fun!!
Respect the Kuna

Coconuts: The San Blas islands are coconut plantations planted by the
Kuna. Every coconut, no matter where you find it, has an owner whom
you need to find and pay before going crazy banging it on rocks and
whatever you can find to try and get it open. Kunas have machetes and
they will open it for you.
Village Rules:
Always wear a shirt in villages,
Ask before taking pictures Sometimes the Kuna may charge you 1$
for picture.
Please dont offer Kuna alcohol, particularly rum, the reaction is not fun
for anyone!
You can bring things for the Kuna kids. Some suggestions are: books,
pens, shoes, volleyball, basketball, football, any game. Its better to give
these kinds of things than sweets.
Weather
March/April November/December
Generally known as the rainy season its actually a very comfortable time
of year to travel in San Blas. The seas are calm and when it rains it
generally only lasts a short time and we always have some sunshine. Our
trip depends on the weather so keep in mind that the itinerary can change
at any time
December March/April
For these months there is a strong wind almost constantly from the NorthEast. In general the sea is rougher and sometimes we may have to delay.
On the upside it is the Caribbean summer and because we travel along the
coast a lot of our trip is mostly protected by islands and reefs.
Important!
Be ready for a great adventure...
We take you on the adventure of a lifetime through some of the most
beautiful and remote island on the planet! We also work very closely with
and indigenous people making this truly unique experience.
Keep calm - as a coconut!

Its important for you to keep in mind that our schedule, travel times and
itinerary are very changeable according to the weather, cultural events,
and many other factors that come with traveling through a remote area run
by indigenous peoples. To get the most out of the experience please
come with an open mind & good spirit. Relax, and enjoy the experience
as it comes.
Enjoy your San Blas Adventure!!!

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General information

Meeting the day before the trip

The trip starts in Carti

Money - Prepare for no cash machines

Trip ends in Sapzurro - Colombia

Travel after to Cartagena or medellin

Check the website F.A.Q for full information on travel from

Nothing is expected of you except to enjoy yourself, have a good time,

Immigration & Kuna fees

Respect the Kuna

Keep calm - as a coconut!

Enjoy your San Blas Adventure!!!

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