Travel advisory · PanamaSome governments advise against travel to parts of Panama.The warnings cover only these areas: Mosquito Gulf, Colón, Curundú, El Chorrillo, San Miguelito.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Mosquito Gulf · avoid all travel · Canada, France, New Zealand, US
- Colón · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Curundú · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France
- El Chorrillo · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France
- San Miguelito · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France
Also named by one government: Darién border zone with Colombia (France), Darién Gap south of Yaviza (New Zealand), Darién south of Metetí to Colombian border (Canada), Parts of Darién Region (US), Arena (Canada), Arraiján (France), Calidonia (France), Colombian border zones (Spain), Cristobal (France), Darién Province (France), Eastern Darién Province (Italy), Eastern part of Guna Yala (San Blas) (France), El Cacao (Canada), Isla de Cusapín (Spain), Juan Díaz (France), La Chorrera (France), Pedregal (France), Quebro (Canada), San Felipe (France), Santa Ana (France), Tocumen (France)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | Remain vigilant, follow local authorities' advice after earthquake | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution due to crime (regional advisories) | Aug 19, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Take normal security precautions (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | No advice against the whole country | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs) | High Degree of Caution | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Niveau de sécurité globalement satisfaisant, vigilance renforcée dans certaines zones (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
San Blas Islands
White sand beaches and clear water on islands the Guna people govern, a sailing destination off Panama's Caribbean coast.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Roughly 365 small islands and cays sit off Panama's Caribbean coast, east of the Panama Canal. About 49 of them are inhabited. Together they make up the Guna Yala comarca, an indigenous district governed by the Guna people, whose ancestral home this is. Many islands have white sand beaches and transparent water, and the largely natural setting draws visitors who come for ecotourism and sailing.
The trip suits people who want time on the water and a look at Guna life. Molas, colorful textile panels with traditional designs, are worn as clothing, and women keep older traditions more strongly than men. Some hotels are built from palm fronds in the style of traditional Guna houses. The islands have largely been spared by hurricanes. The climate is hot all year, with a long wet season from May to January and a short dry season from February to April. Panama's government has predicted several islands could be fully submerged by 2050, which would mean moving residents to the mainland.
San Blas Islands in five
- Book transport and island togetherMost visitors buy a package with the 4x4 from Panama City, the boat and the island stay, all arranged with Guna operators.
- Carry your passport and cashVisitors show a passport to enter Guna Yala and pay an entry fee. Fees, rules and advice are on the Guna Yala page, and there are no ATMs on the islands.Guna Yala rules
- Expect simple staysCabins, shared bathrooms and limited power are the norm. Bring a headlamp and cash for extras.
- Ask before taking photosAsk Guna people before you photograph them, and follow your guide's instructions on islands and customs.
- Ask which islands the trip visitsThe UK advice for the Colombian border starts within Guna Yala, so confirm your itinerary with the operator and read the advice page first.Darién and the border
Things to do in San Blas Islands
See all attractions in San Blas IslandsNeed to know
- Airport
- Tocumen (PTY), then road transfer from Panama City
- Getting there
- 4x4 to the Cartí port in about 3 hours, then a boat
- Getting around
- Boats run by Guna operators between islands
- Best base
- A Guna-run island with cabins
- Time needed
- 2–3 nights
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain26 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Dry, windyJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 150 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, windy
- FebruaryRain24 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Dry, choppy seasFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 137 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, choppy seas
- MarchRain25 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Dry, calmerMarchRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 137 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, calmer
- AprilRain27 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Dry endAprilRain
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 174 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry end
- MayRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Rains startMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 294 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- JuneRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°ShowersJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 314 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- JulyRain31 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°ShowersJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 332 mm
- Rainy days
- 31
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- AugustRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°ShowersAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 293 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- SeptemberRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Calm, wetSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 283 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Calm, wet
- OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°RainyOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 291 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- NovemberRain28 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°WettestNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 310 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- DecemberRain30 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Drier, windyDecemberRain
Good
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 210 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, windy
Average daily high and low in Guna Yala, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in San Blas Islands
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
27
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 80%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 81%
San Blas Islands
03:07 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today28°26°81%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 81%.
- Tue28°27°67%Tuesday: Rain. High 28°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 67%.
- Wed28°26°71%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Thu28°26°57%Thursday: Rain. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Fri29°27°57%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Sat30°27°55%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Sun29°27°43%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 43%.
Updated 12:02 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Panama Citydepends on flight scheduleThe mainland city you fly out from. The islands have a small airport that serves domestic flights within Panama.Read the guide
- Carti Sugtupuby boat; depends on departure pointA densely crowded island village that visitors commonly visit. Its residents are being relocated as frequent floods and rising seas make it one of the first communities displaced by climate change in Panama.
- Cayos Limonesby boat; depends on departure pointOne of two cays popular with visitors for their clear waters. The other is Cayos Holandeses.
Before you go to San Blas Islands
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Plan around San Blas Islands
Regions, entry basics and money
Read the guidePanama CityThe starting point for the 4x4 transfer
Read the guideGuna Yala rules and feesFees, etiquette and advice for the comarca
Read the guideBocas del ToroThe Caribbean archipelago on the other coast
Read the guideCartagenaEnd point of the sailing route to Colombia
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for boat transfers and delays
Read the guideSan Blas Islands FAQ
How do I get to the San Blas Islands?
Take a 4x4 from Panama City to the port of Cartí, about 3 hours, then a boat to your island. Most tours include the transfer from your hotel.
Is a day trip to San Blas worth it?
The 4x4 ride to Cartí alone takes about 3 hours in each direction before the boat, so a day trip leaves little time on the water. One or two nights suit most visitors, and the tourism authority also mentions sailboat tours.
What are the San Blas Islands like to stay on?
Very simple: cabins or hammocks, shared bathrooms and limited power. The draw is the water, the islands and Guna culture.
Can I sail from San Blas to Colombia?
Yes. Sailboat trips run between Panama's Caribbean coast and Cartagena over several days, with open-sea stretches that can be rough. Pick a licensed operator, ask about the boat's safety gear and confirm what is included.
Is there electricity or Wi-Fi on the islands?
Very little. Many islands run on solar panels or generators for a few hours a day, and mobile signal is weak. Download maps and tickets before you leave Panama City, and tell family when you will be back in range.