Name: Enjoy San Blas Diablo Island
Address: Isla Diablo, Archipiélago de San Blas, San Blas Islands, San Blas Islands, San Blas Islands, 00011, Panama
Rating: 8

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Enjoy San Blas Diablo Island

This trip was everything the company said it was.  And more. Yes, the facilities were basic, but everything was clean and worked. The food was excellent.  With a group of people with different interests, the guide did exactly what needed to be done - we were taken to an island, told how long we would be there (and where to snorkel if that is what we wanted to do) and then allowed to do what we wanted to do.  I loved the freedom to spend two hours floating in the water and watching what was happening below me. If you are expecting 5 star accommodations and a lot of structure, the San Blas Islands are probably not for you.

The Ultimate Panama tour gives you an opportunity to enjoy the most beautiful natural environment in a minimal, if not primitive, surrounding –no cars or hotels or other distractions. Imagine sleeping on an air mattress inside a tent, starring out the mesh window to see the sky filled with stars, listening to the voice of the calm Caribbean Sea. All day long I swam, and snorkeled in the emerald green sea or walked around the  to explore and meet the other inhabitants of this island paradise. The Guna Yala people of the San Blas Islands are creative, friendly and playful. I camped for two nights and three days on Chichime Island, a very beautiful and relaxing paradise on the Caribbean Sea.  Chichime Island is small and divided among different Guna Yala families that offer tourists a place to camp, sleep inside a hut with a sand floor, eat a lobster, enjoy a fish platter, drink alcohol and hang out on a hammock. Solar power panels provide the islands electricity.

A German couple and I had the campsite all to ourselves from 3:00 pm to 10:00 am.   At 10:00 am, a boat with “day trippers” aboard arrived and picked us up to take us to snorkel at another island. Then we all returned to Chichime Island for lunch.

The day tour crowd leaves at 3:00 pm and the noise is reduced to the sounds of the relaxing waves. I enjoyed swimming and water aerobics, walking around the island to take photos. Two friendly well fed island dogs kept me company, lucky dogs, they play and sleep on a car free island.

San Blas" Small dog island " has a sunken boat that is covered with algae and shells, colorful fish inhabit the artificial reef created by the wreck, adding color to the scene.

Large dog island has lots of coconut trees (watch out for falling coconuts) there are picnic tables and several bathrooms.

Pelican Island is tiny but big enough for a kiosk to sell goods to the tourists that visit. Another location named " the Pool " is shallow enough to stand, the water reaches the knees. Remember to carry money with you, three dollars is the entrance fee to visit every island. Water, beer, fresh coconut, soda and crafts made by the Guna Yala are available for purchase. Remember to wear Chap-stick, the sun is strong and my lips were swollen from neglecting to do so. A hat with a wide visor and a string around your throat to keep it from flying on the speeding boat is a good choice to avoid raccoon eyes shade your eyes from the glare. I brought my own snorkel mask for a better fit and comfort, I also have a waterproof cover for the Go Pro video camera and was able include myself on the photos by attaching it to my wrist. When I get home I will grab still images from the video recordings to always remember this wonderful place. I wish I had stayed longer in this place but I had other plans and could not change them.

Don't think of this as a tour where you are guided. Think of it as somebody taking care of all the logistics to get you to a fairly remote region where you have to pay fees at many steps of the way. 

The transportation and transfers went smoothly and we never waited too long. All of our food way included, as were drinks at meals (including beer), snacks and drinks during the day, and all entrances fees. We were never asked to pay more for anything. 

We were taken to other islands between breakfast and lunch and set off to explore. This was nice because the islands are so small you need a change of scenery. We spent the afternoon on our own island and it was quieter as everyone else was doing the same. 

We stayed in a tent, which we knew would be a little rough. What we didn't consider was that it is annoying to change into a swim suit and there isn't a good place to lay out your things. For those reasons I think travelers will be much more comfortable in a cabaña. But we made it work and it was fine. Our hosts were accommodating when we needed to change tents because our air mattress was deflating. 

We went in with low expectations because of reviews and were pleasantly surprised. Don't expect the experience you would get in a developed area because this isn't a developed area. Overall we had a wonderful time. 

Note: the sun is very very strong. Bring rash guards for snorkeling and light coverups for the beach. Everyone was getting burned. 

We had a BLAST on our Ultimate San Blas tour.

We opted for a private cabina. The sand floor, thatched roof cabina on Isla Aroma was as advertised. Beds weren't super comfy, but we were just fine for the 3 nights we stayed. I would recommend ear plugs if you like to go to bed a little earlier- there were people partying till the wee hours!

The tour guides and on island staff took great care of us. Food was simple but delicious. We had free beer and rum on our first day trip, but subsequent days we each got one beer/cola/water per meal. 

They did stop at the supermarket on the way. We purchased some water (probably should have taken more- it's sorta sketchy whether you get water or not on tours and meals). You can bring beer and liquor with you as well- again, it's a bit uncertain what you get free and not. Probably depends on your guide a bit! 

There are 2 flush toilets (you have to add water from a rain barrel outside to get it to flush). They are relatively clean. No hand washing area, so bring sanitizer! There are some "showers" as well- rainwater, but we never checked them out as we were in the water a lot of each day.

Daily tours to other islands include snorkeling and beach time. You stop for lunch (included), which is usually fried fish, rice and plantains. Simple and delicious. We did pay our guide $10/person for a lobster/crab feast (optional) our last day! 

The Kuna people are friendly and kind. We had an opportunity to buy traditional handicrafts (beadwork, molas) every day.

San Blas Islands

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Three days and two nights exploring the islands of San Blas

Guna Yala Paradise

Backpackers all-inclusive experience. 

Wonderful experience in paradise!

Very over priced for what you actually get. Guides are friendly but don't tell you anything about where you are. Thete were about 5 poor quality snorkelling kits per boat of 15 to 20 tourists. Food was bland and repetitive and there was only one trip in the morning. After lunch you were just left on your small island to entertain yourself for the day. 

Enjoy San Blas Diablo Island

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