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 cultural aspect of the trip, 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!

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 a 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%, and the trip leader will gladly distribute this amongst the support staff
• Sleeping pads

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, who will take you to a nice restaurant for a local dish and the trip briefing.

Accommodation: Radisson Panama Canal Hotel 

No meals are included on this day.

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 Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

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 Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

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 Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

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 Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

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 Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

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

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/A
Meals: Breakfast