8-Day Panama Sea Kayaking Adventure: San Blas Kayaking and Cultural Experience
Kayak, Snorkel & Camp on tiny white sand Caribbean Islands surrounded by Turquoise Water
AVAILABLE:
ACTIVITY:
ACCOMMODATIONS:
GROUP SIZE:
December-March
Intermediate- Advanced
Comfortable Hotels,
Camping
4-10 Guests,
Min Age: 16
AVAILABLE:
December-March
ACTIVITY:
Intermediate- Advanced
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Comfortable Hotels,
Camping
GROUP SIZE:
4-10 Guests,
Min Age: 16
Join us for an 8-day intimate discovery of the San Blas Archipelago in the heart of the autonomous territory of Kuna Yala, also spelled Guna Yala. The San Blas Archipelago consists of 365 tiny tropical islands set in the Caribbean Sea right off the coast of Panama. Experience the true meaning of paradise while paddling from one deserted island to the other. Protected by the outer reef, we will paddle the warm, crystal clear waters crossing canals, along stretches of mangrove forests, and into freshwater rivers flowing down from the jungle mountains that dominate the coastline. In a single or double, enclosed, sturdy kayak we’ll navigate through shallow parts, looking for passages between the reefs and corals. We’ll meet the Kunas, an indigenous people who live in this politically autonomous reserve. You will be introduced to one of their communities, including the House of Congress, schools, churches, and homes. Besides the trip’s cultural aspect, we will enjoy paradise as we’ve all imagined it! Deserted islands with palm trees surrounded by white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters; swimming whenever you like and snorkeling the incredible coral reefs only steps from your tent. Relax and read your favorite book from your hammock, with the best views in the world. On this trip, you’ll forget anything outside this wonderland!
Highlights
- Beach camping in paradise.
- Beautiful kayaking destinations.
- Cultural immersion! Not only in Panama but with the semi-autonomous indigenous Kuna people of the San Blas.
- World-class snorkeling.
- Fully inclusive travel once you arrive in Panama City
- Seafood, seafood, seafood prepared by the indigenous Kuna
Itinerary
DAY 1. A REP WILL MEET YOU AT PTY AIRPORT
Today is designated as your International Travel Day. A Sea Kayaking Costa Rica Representative will greet you at the international airport and take you to your hotel. Upon your arrival, you'll have the chance to relax and unwind from your international travels. You will meet your guide in the late afternoon or early evening, taking you to a nice restaurant for a local dish and the trip briefing.
Accommodation: Radisson Panama Canal Hotel (or similar)No meals included on this day
DAY 2. SEA KAYAKING ORIENTATION AND PADDLE
Right after breakfast, we'll leave the city early this morning and cross the Continental Divide to San Blas (a 2.5-hour drive). You are now in the Kuna people's semi-autonomous territory; the location's remoteness and authentic culture will give you the feel of a National Geographic expedition. From there, we will hop into our support boat for a drive to our first island. For the remainder of the day, you will become familiarized with your kayak by paddling along the rainforest mainland, and we may enter a cute little river if time and water level allow. This way, we get the opportunity to test and adjust our boats and make sure we feel comfortable before committing to any long stretches of paddling in the coming days. Later in the afternoon, we'll walk into the Kuna village to introduce ourselves to their culture and meet the women who will show their traditional outfits called 'Molas.' During our walk, we'll be greeted by the many cute, ever-smiling Kuna kids. In the evening, we'll have our first Kuna dish where. After, they'll perform a local dance in the moonlight. Surely, you'll all be ready for our first night's sleep in your cozy tents.
Accommodation: Digirdup Island Tent CampingMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner ...
DAY 3. CROSSING TO REACH DIADUP ISLAND
This morning, after packing our camp, we begin a 4–5-hour paddle to the uninhabited island of Diadup. The paddling includes two open-channel crossings. Our motorized support boat will carry our dry bags (luggage) and camping equipment, so our kayaks will be light and maneuverable. Additionally, our support boat can assist paddlers in need or if tired. We'll stop on a lovely island somewhere along the way for lunch and continue to today's destination: a marvelous little island with just a local family living on it. The afternoon will be spent leisurely, relaxing in your hammock or playing in the ocean. We provide a hammock for each of the participants.
Accommodation: Diadup Island Tent CampingMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 4. PADDLE ALONG CAYS TO REACH SICHIRDUP ISLAND
Today, we break camp and paddle along sand cays and across open channels to the magical, uninhabited white sand island of Sichirdup. This small island will be our home for the next two nights. The coral reef surrounding the island offers fantastic snorkeling opportunities. Be sure to bring your snorkel and mask! (We have masks and snorkels available; however, we encourage you to bring your own.)
Accommodation: Sichirdup Island Tent CampingMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 5. LAYOVER AT SICHIRDUP ISLAND
Layovers are great!! This morning sleep-in, you do not need to pack your tent and your belongings; instead, relax! In mid-morning, we will take a day trip to the nearby mainland, where we will paddle our kayaks upstream through the gentle Rio Paloma, looking for wildlife and the best swimming holes. This is a wonderful opportunity to bathe in the fresh, clean river water. Once we can't paddle any further upstream, we will continue our exploration on foot on the trails parallel to the river. On our way back, we will stop for a picnic lunch at the river's shore! After lunch, we'll paddle back to Sichirdup for an afternoon snorkeling session along the 'wall,' a drop outside the reef offering spectacular marine life sightings!
Accommodation: Sichirdup Island Tent CampingMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 6. ANOTHER STRETCH OF AMAZING KAYAKING
Today, we set off on another fantastic stretch of tropical sea kayaking to reach the amazing Island of Bidirdup. The 3–4-hour paddle necessary to get there will have us initially island hopping and eventually making one open crossing. Bidirdup is a small island with the acreage of a football field and only one native family as inhabitants and caretakers of the island, so the fine white sands, turquoise water, and picture-perfect setting will likely be yours and yours alone during your visit. Great snorkeling here too!
Accommodation: Bidirdup Tent CampingMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY. 7 MOTORBOAT & DRIVE BACK TO THE BIG CITY
Early in the morning, we will leave our kayaks and hop on a motorboat to the road access to meet our comfortable 4x4 vehicle. This vehicle will drive us back to Civilization (a.k.a. Panama City), where we should arrive by midafternoon. Once we get to your hotel, you will check in. In the late afternoon, you will take a brief guided tour of the old City of Casco Viejo and enjoy one last dinner with your fellow paddlers and guide.
Accommodation: Radisson Panama Canal Hotel (or similar)Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 8. DEPARTURE DAY
All good things must come to an end, and this day, we have arranged for your transportation to the international airport in Panama City to catch your flight home. You will leave Panama with a new understanding of the tropics and with a unique insight into the simple lifestyle and worldview of the Kuna People. To you, we say "nu-edi," or thank you, in the Kuna language.
Accommodation: N/AMeals: Breakfast
Itinerary
DAY 1. A REP WILL MEET YOU AT PTY AIRPORT
Today is designated as your International Travel Day. A Sea Kayaking Costa Rica Representative will greet you at the international airport and take you to your hotel. Upon your arrival, you'll have the chance to relax and unwind from your international travels. You will meet your guide in the late afternoon or early evening, taking you to a nice restaurant for a local dish and the trip briefing.
Accommodation: Radisson Panama Canal Hotel (or similar)No meals included on this day.
DAY 2. SEA KAYAKING ORIENTATION AND PADDLE
Right after breakfast, we'll leave the city early this morning and cross the Continental Divide to San Blas (a 2.5-hour drive). You are now in the Kuna people's semi-autonomous territory; the location's remoteness and authentic culture will give you the feel of a National Geographic expedition. From there, we will hop into our support boat for a drive to our first island. For the remainder of the day, you will become familiarized with your kayak by paddling along the rainforest mainland, and we may enter a cute little river if time and water level allow. This way, we get the opportunity to test and adjust our boats and make sure we feel comfortable before committing to any long stretches of paddling in the coming days. Later in the afternoon, we'll walk into the Kuna village to introduce ourselves to their culture and meet the women who will show their traditional outfits called 'Molas.' During our walk, we'll be greeted by the many cute, ever-smiling Kuna kids. In the evening, we'll have our first Kuna dish where. After, they'll perform a local dance in the moonlight. Surely, you'll all be ready for our first night's sleep in your cozy tents.
Accommodation: Digirdup Island Tent CampingMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner ...
DAY 3. CROSSING TO REACH DIADUP ISLAND
This morning, after packing our camp, we begin a 4–5-hour paddle to the uninhabited island of Diadup. The paddling includes two open-channel crossings. Our motorized support boat will carry our dry bags (luggage) and camping equipment, so our kayaks will be light and maneuverable. Additionally, our support boat can assist paddlers in need or if tired. We'll stop on a lovely island somewhere along the way for lunch and continue to today's destination: a marvelous little island with just a local family living on it. The afternoon will be spent leisurely, relaxing in your hammock or playing in the ocean. We provide a hammock for each of the participants.
Accommodation: Diadup Island Tent CampingMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 4. PADDLE ALONG CAYS TO REACH SICHIRDUP ISLAND
Today, we break camp and paddle along sand cays and across open channels to the magical, uninhabited white sand island of Sichirdup. This small island will be our home for the next two nights. The coral reef surrounding the island offers fantastic snorkeling opportunities. Be sure to bring your snorkel and mask! (We have masks and snorkels available; however, we encourage you to bring your own.)
Accommodation: Sichirdup Island Tent CampingMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 5. LAYOVER AT SICHIRDUP ISLAND
Layovers are great! This morning sleep-in, you do not need to pack your tent and your belongings; instead, relax! In mid-morning, we will take a day trip to the nearby mainland, where we will paddle our kayaks upstream through the gentle Rio Paloma, looking for wildlife and the best swimming holes. This is a wonderful opportunity to bathe in the fresh, clean river water. Once we can't paddle any further upstream, we will continue our exploration on foot on the trails parallel to the river. On our way back, we will stop for a picnic lunch at the river's shore! After lunch, we'll paddle back to Sichirdup for an afternoon snorkeling session along the 'wall,' a drop outside the reef offering spectacular marine life sightings!
Accommodation: Sichirdup Island Tent CampingMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 6. ANOTHER STRETCH OF AMAZING KAYAKING
Today, we set off on another fantastic stretch of tropical sea kayaking to reach the amazing Island of Bidirdup. The 3–4-hour paddle necessary to get there will have us initially island hopping and eventually making one open crossing. Bidirdup is a small island with the acreage of a football field and only one native family as inhabitants and caretakers of the island, so the fine white sands, turquoise water, and picture-perfect setting will likely be yours and yours alone during your visit. Great snorkeling here too!
Accommodation: Bidirdup Tent CampingMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 7. MOTORBOAT & DRIVE BACK TO THE BIG CITY
Early in the morning, we will leave our kayaks and hop on a motorboat to the road access to meet our comfortable 4x4 vehicle. This vehicle will drive us back to Civilization (a.k.a. Panama City), where we should arrive by midafternoon. Once we get to your hotel, you will check in. In the late afternoon, you will take a brief guided tour of the old City of Casco Viejo and enjoy one last dinner with your fellow paddlers and guide.
Accommodation: Radisson Panama Canal Hotel (or similar)Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 8. DEPARTURE DAY
All good things must come to an end, and this day, we have arranged for your transportation to the international airport in Panama City to catch your flight home. You will leave Panama with a new understanding of the tropics and with a unique insight into the simple lifestyle and worldview of the Kuna People. To you, we say "nu-edi," or thank you, in the Kuna language.
Accommodation: N/AMeals: Breakfast
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have, and once you book, your price is guaranteed. Our current trip dates for 2024 are as follows:
- November 10th – 17th
- December 17th – 24th
You may also inquire about your preferred travel dates or time window, and we’ll get back to you with available dates. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have, and once you book, your price is guaranteed. Our current trip dates for 2025 are as follows:
- January 2nd – 9th
- February 15th – 22nd
- March 22nd – 29th
You may also inquire about your preferred travel dates or time window, and we’ll get back to you with available dates. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Our PANAMA SEA KAYAKING ADVENTURE – 8-Day San Blas Kayaking and Cultural Experience is priced at:
- US$ 3099 per person
This price includes all taxes and fees
Included in the Trip Cost
- Bilingual Sea Kayaking Guide
- Kuna Sea Kayaking Guide
- Local support staff including professional cook preparing meals on location
- Support boat with licensed captain and mariner
- Airport Meet & Greet and all ground transportation as outlined in the itinerary
- 2 nights hotel in Panama City
- 5 nights camping in Kuna Yala
- Meals as outlined in the itinerary
- All activities and equipment as outlined in the itinerary
- Detailed Packing List
- Sea Kayaking Costa Rica provides wine at select meals
Not Included in Your Trip Cost
- International flights to and from Panama
- Insurance of any kind, including travel or mandatory medical evacuation insurance
- Alcohol (except wine at select meals) and personal items (an equipment list will be provided)
- Guide gratuities – the standard is 10-15%, the trip leader will gladly distribute this amongst the support staff
- Sleeping pads
Gather your favorite travel companions to share a Sea Kayak Costa Rica Adventure on an easy-to-book Private departure. We offer private departures for groups of 6+ people), we can offer this trip as private; please get in touch with us to discuss options.
Activity Level
This trip is suited for intermediate-level paddlers due to the ocean and weather conditions. A regular fitness level is required to paddle distances up to 16 km (10 miles) in open waters with mild currents and swells. If the participant has no kayak experience, they must be athletic, comfortable on the water, and have good upper body strength and balance. The ability to swim is a must for all participants.
| DAY 2 | 1.5 hours/ 5 km (3 miles) of sea kayaking |
| DAY 3 | 3.5 hours/ 13.5 km (8.4 miles) of sea kayaking |
| DAY 4 | 4 hours/ 14 km (8.7 miles) of sea kayaking |
| DAY 5 | 3.5 hours/ 18 km (11.2 miles) of sea kayaking |
Accommodations
This trip features a 4-star hotel near the Panama Canal for your arrival day and the eve of your departure day. The remaining six nights are in expedition-style camping.
Radisson Hotel Panama Canal
This comfortable 4-star hotel is strategically located at the entrance of the Panama Canal. It features 159 comfortable rooms, some with balconies and excellent views of the ocean and the Bridge of the Americas. Relax and recharge by the hotel swimming pool or in your room with air conditioning, in-room coffeemaker & Wi-Fi. The hotel is conveniently located at walking distance from the famous Causeway, the Bio-Museum designed by Frank Gehry, the Smithsonian Aquarium, Figali Convention Center, and also near downtown, Old Quarter Casco Viejo, Albrook Mall, and the main transportation Hubs of the City such as Marcos A. Gelabert Domestic Airport, Panama Rail Road and The National Bus Station.
Expedition-style Camping in Kuna Yala
This is an expedition-style trip where you will be backcountry camping, with some of the locations we visit offering few or no amenities such as running water, electricity, or restrooms. We carry a water filter and a potable foot pump wash station with antibacterial soap throughout the trip. Abundant potable drinking water, tents, tarps, hammocks, chairs, and tables are provided in all camps. Most locations have access to fresh water (non-potable) to rinse your body sparingly at the end of the day. Meals are hot, fresh, and served on proper height tables with chairs for all participants. Meals are prepared by a professional cook and support staff, who also takes care of clean-up after meals and breaking camp. Cutlery, plates, glasses, and condiments are used for all meals. Personal dunnage and camping equipment are transported by a support boat, so guests must carry only what they want in their kayaks.
Weather
For Panama City, you can expect daytime temperatures in the 80°s and 90°s Fahrenheit, with evening lows in the 80°s. While in Kuna Yala, daytime temperatures are in the 70°s and 80°s Fahrenheit, with evenings anywhere in the 70°s. February and March are consistently the driest months; some rain can be expected during the months of December, April, and May.
December is the transitional period from the rainy season to the dry season. While you may still experience occasional tropical showers, they are often brief, occurring in the afternoons or evenings, with the mornings being relatively clear and sunny. When the clouds part, the skies open up to reveal stunning sunsets over the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. This balance of sun and rain creates a vibrant, humid atmosphere, perfect for exploring the islands’ natural beauty during December.
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FAQ's
The trip starts with a Sea Kayaking Costa Rica Representative meeting you at PTY airport and providing transportation to the hotel on Itinerary Day 1. After hotel check-in on Itinerary Day 1, you will meet your trip leader that late afternoon for dinner & trip briefing. The following morning, we will be driven to Kuna Yala. On Trip Day 8, we provide transportation back to the Hotel in Panama City to check into the same hotel for your last night of the trip. The following day, we will provide transportation to Tocumen International Airport in time for your flight home. If you arrive in Panama City before Itinerary Day 1, your trip with us begins with your check-in at the hotel featured on Trip Day 1, followed by a trip briefing with your guide that evening. The trip concludes on Day 9 with your check-out and transportation to the international airport.
No particular vaccination is required, not even COVID-19; however, for Panama, the World Health Organization recommends Typhoid, Hepatitis A & B, Yellow Fever, Rabies, and Influenza.
Guests rarely complain of mosquitos on these trips as there are none, if any. Malaria medication is not necessary.
Yes, we will carry water holding tanks and refill and filter water so it is readily available to all trip guests and staff throughout the trip.
Our tours attract people of all ages and backgrounds, including couples, singles, families, and friends, most commonly between the ages of 45 and 65. While families with teenagers (minimum age 16) are less frequent, we’ve welcomed many guests well into their 70s. Some participants are new to sea kayaking, while others have extensive paddling experience. Regardless of experience, everyone joins us to have a great time, bringing a wonderful mix of personalities and interests.
Yes! Lots, both terrestrial and marine. Sea turtles, reef fish, rays, and dolphins to macaws, monkeys, toucans, and sloths
Actually, insects are generally fine if you bring long pants and insect repellant (a thorough packing list is provided).
The Kuna’s fleet consists of “oldie but goodie” Current Design Storms, Current Designs Squalls, Aquaterra Sea Lions, and H.U.G. Double Sea Kayaks.
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8 Days
From $3099
ITINERARY
DATES & PRICES
ACTIVITY LEVEL
ACCOMMODATIONS
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