San Blas (Guna Yala)

The beautiful islands of Guna Yala (more commonly known as San Blas) and the vibrant Guna culture has turned Guna Yala into one of the most popular destinations in Panama.

We offer island hopping packages, transportation, and island accommodation bookings right here at Luna’s Castle. Let us help you plan the perfect Island escape. Jeeps to San Blas are available every day (depending on availability), leaving between 5:00AM-6:00AM from Luna’s Castle.

The jeep ride alone costs $85 roundtrip (inlcuding port taxes and extrance fees to Guna Yala) and it takes about 3 hours.  The road can be rough depending on the time of year.  The jeep drops you off at the Port, where boats will transport you to your island. You need to make a reservation on an island ahead of time, so the boat from the island will come to pick you up. The boat costs from $20 – $30 round trip. There is no public transport available (like the taxi boats in Bocas), also there is no bus to get there. 

The San Blas islands are in an indigenous territory called Guna Yala. It is almost like a separate country form Panama. You have to show your passport and pay taxes ($22) to enter. They have their own goverment, their own language (Guna) and no foreigners are allowed to work there or for example own an island. Guests are only allowed to enter with a Guna guide or host. 

GROUP ISLAND HOPPING & MULTIPLE ISLAND TRIPS

There are 359 tiny islands and the Guna have a fascinating culture. If you want to see more than 1 island a group or multiple island trip may be your best option.  Choosing one of these options gives you access to more activities, exposure to the culture, and more amenities in these remote islands.

Luna’s Castle offers group island hopping trips through CACIQUE CRUISER.  These trips visit 3 or more islands & starfish pools including transport, boat rides, accommodations, meals & snacks, activities, snorkel equipment, taxes and island fees.  This are the options that Cacique offer:

A complete folder of the San Blas options is available at the Lunas Castle reception desk. In high season we recommend to book ahead of time, just write us and email and we can help you to make your reservation. We can also help you if you are not staying at Lunas Castle.

1 ISLAND

You have the option to book your ground transport, and accommodation on the islands separately as well.  This is usually most cost effective when choosing to visit just 1 island.

With this option you will pay a $85 for round trip transport including port taxes and entrance fees, boat ride between $20-$30 round trip and accommodation $26-$95 for 1 days and 1 night (boat and accommodation cost depend on the island).  With this option you always have to leave the island in the morning of your last day before 8 am. The price of accommodations usually includes basic meals.  However, snorkeling trips & equipment, visits to other islands and/or communities WILL COST EXTRA and WILL NOT always be available.   (Approximately $30 Per Person)

Where to stay?

Here are some of the islands we offer, for a complete list please see the reception desk at Luna´s Castle or write us.

The Guna people are like nomads, they change their islands every 3 to 6 months, so the services and prices written here might change slightly.

Cabanas Iron (Kuna name NARASGANDUB)

There are private cabins and many dorms located on this island.  They have a small store if you want to buy some small groceries or Kuna souvenirs.

Details:

Private Cabins: capacity of app 12 people in 4 cabins, costing $50 dollars per night (1, 2 or 3 person)

Private Cabins include: 3 meals

Dorm beds: capacity of app 14 people in dorm cabins costing $40 dollar per night (per person)

Dorm price includes: 3 meals

Tours: Tours are not included.  The price depends on the place you want to go It costs around $20 plus rent for the snorkels to go to another island (per person) depending on availability.

Transportation to mainland: 20 dollar round trip

Plus Transport of $85 for the Jeep and taxes. 

Bathroom: Toilet & bucket shower

Electric light: Yes

Volleyball: Yes

Diablo Island: (Kuna name NAIDUB)

This island is located about 25 minutes from Carti, and offers simple accommodations in either dorms or private cabanas. The island is administrated by the same owner of Carti Cabins and is an excellent beach island offering good snorkeling in a shipwreck next to the island Diablo Island is surrounded by other small islands including the popular PERRO Island, so if you wish to change the view you will have very nice options.

Details:

Private Cabins: There are two, two-person cabins which cost 50 dollar per night (per person)

Dorm beds: There are two, five-person cabins.  They cost 40 dollars per night (each person)

All prices include: 3 meals

Transportation to mainland $30 round trip

Plus Transport of $85 for the Jeep and taxes. 

If you like to visit another island, there is more fees for transport and taxes (app$30 per person plus rent for the snorkels).

Bathroom: Toilet J

Electric light: No

Tubisenika

Tubasenika offers a very social atmosphere. The small size off the island helps assure that you will have a very easy time meeting other people. It might also be a bit crowded though. There are two accommodations on this island, Senidub Cabins and Franklin’s Cabins.

Senidub Cabins:

There are private cabins with beautiful ocean views and many dorms located in the center of the island.  They have a small store if you want to buy some small groceries or Kuna souvenirs.

Details:

Private Cabins: capacity of 10 people in 3 cabins, costing $31 dollars per night (1 or 2 person)

Private Cabins include: 3 meals

Dorm beds: capacity of 14 people in dorm cabins costing $26 dollar per night (per person)

Dorm price includes: 3 meals

Tours: Tours are not included.  The price depends on the place you want to go It costs around $20 plus rent for the snorkels to go to PERRO island (per person) depending on availability.

Transportation to mainland: 20 dollar round trip

Plus Transport of $85 for the Jeep and taxes. 

Bathroom: Toilet

Electric light: Yes

Volleyball: Yes

Franklin Cabins:

They offer private cabins and dorms. They also have a small store where you can buy some small groceries, beer, bottles of rum and Kuna souvenirs.

Details:

Dorms: $26 (per night per person)

Private cabin: $35 for 1 person and $70 per 2 person)

All prices include: 3 meals

Tours: Tours and snorkels are not included.

Transportation to mainland: $20 round trip

Plus Transport of $85 for the Jeep and taxes. 

Bathroom: Toilet

Electric light: Yes

Volleyball: Yes

Nubesidub Island (Kuna translation: Dove Island)

This island is perfect for couples or families that want to stay away from crowded islands, with 3 cabins very well decorated, they keep the island very clean and it´s 100% beach

Details: