Panama 2025 - GLT Celebrates 100 Years of Guna Independence

Panama City, Panamá Province, Panama

See more photos

Panama 2025 - GLT Celebrates 100 Years of Guna Independence

Panama City, Panamá Province, Panama

See more photos

GL
208 reviews
Feb 21 - 27, 2025
Group size: 8 - 14
Panama 2025 - GLT Celebrates 100 Years of Guna Independence
Panama City, Panamá Province, Panama
Girls LOVE Travel
208 reviews
Feb 21 - 27, 2025
Group size: 8 - 14

About this trip

Girls LOVE Travel is honored to invite you to join us in Panama to celebrate the 100TH ANNIVERSARY of independence of the Guna people! The Guna people, also known as Kuna, are an indigenous group primarily residing in the Guna Yala (also referred to as San Blas) region of Panama and in some communities in Colombia. They are one of the very few indigenous groups in the world who claim full autonomy of their territory.


The islands showcase pristine white sand beaches, surrounded by turquoise water, coral reefs beaming with sea life, and 95% of their rainforest are still untouched. These islands have been kept in pristine condition since only the Guna people are allowed to live on them. Guests will sail to 3 of the 365 islands and will have the opportunity to meet local Guna families and learn about their culture and traditions. Since we are traveling during their Independence Day, the islands will be full of festivities and celebration. 


As we gather to commemorate this significant occasion, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Guna people for graciously welcoming us onto their ancestral lands. 

 
Trip Dates: Friday Feb 21-27, 2025

Read more

Our First Priority is Your Safety

As much as we want for this trip to go exactly as planned, we can not plan for complications that arise especially due to inclement weather or closures due to extenuating circumstances like COVID-19.  


While we hope that attendees are vaccinated, we are not asking for proof of vaccination in order to attend the trip. However, to ensure safety of all attendees and staff, we will require a provide a negative COVID test prior to the trip.  Home tests are accepted. You can email it to [email protected]. 


Girls LOVE Travel will not be giving any refunds for those who test positive and are not able to join the trip. We highly encourage travel insurance to cover instances like this. 


We will be following all COVID protocols to ensure the safety of everyone on the trip.  Please be prepared to bring a mask to wear on transport and indoors, if it is required by the business.


Additionally, the tour is listed as a package, and no price adjustments will be given if someone wants to "opt-out" of an included activity. 

Read more

Costs and Payments

Your spot will be secured when we receive a deposit of $700.  Upon receipt, the deposit paid is nonrefundable and non-transferable. 


Below is the payment schedule: 


The remaining balance is due by 60 days before trip start date. 


In the event that you need to cancel your trip, these fees will be applied:

• Between Now-60 days from trip start date GLT retains only nonrefundable deposit ($700) 

• Between 59-31 days from trip date, GLT retains 50% of the tour price.

• Between 30 days or less, GLT retains 100% of the entire tour price.


ADD ONS - you can choose to add these up until 30 days before the trip. After that time, these are non-refundable. 

Read more

RECOMMENDED FLIGHTS

In order to not miss any part of the trip - here is our recommended flight times to arrive and depart by: 


ARRIVAL

In order to make the Welcome Meet and Greet at 5:00pm, we recommend arriving to Panama City (PTY - Tocumen) airport no later than 3:00pm to allow for transfer and check in. 


DEPARTURE

We recommend planning your departure to be in the afternoon (no earlier than 12 pm) so you have time to enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you depart. 

Read more

What’s included

  • Accommodations
    Accommodations in 4-5 star hotel in Panama City
  • Welcome Meet & Greet
    Complimentary Drink
  • 14 Meals Included
    6 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
  • Casco Viejo Bike Tour
    Enjoy a guided sunset bike tour of Casco Viejo
  • Private Charter Boats
    Private boats to San Blas Islands
  • Transport-Albrook
    Transport will be provided when we land back in Panama City to hotel after our sailing adventure
  • Panama Canal Visit
    Includes transport, tickets, and guide to Miraflores Locks
  • I Travel By Boat Staff
    Each boat will be staffed with a captain and a chef.
  • Guna Guides
    Local Guna guides will be present at all the islands we explore
  • Girls LOVE Travel Hosts
    Our hosts are here to make sure you're having the best time!

What’s not included

  • International Flights
    Flights to/from Panama City
  • Other Transport
    Transport to/from airport to hotel
  • Other meals
    Meals not included in Itinerary
  • Travel Insurance
    This is recommended-better safe than sorry!
  • Additional Activities
    Additional tours and activities done individually during your free time
  • Tips
    Tips to local guides, drivers and tour leaders
  • Service Fees
    All service fees and credit card fees on the WeTravel booking platform

Available Packages

Shared Bed / Cabin

We are taking catamarans to the San Blas islands. Since we have limited space, cabins are optimized to 2 guests sharing a cabin and bed. Each cabin has its own private bathroom. 


Grab a friend to share a cabin with!


Read more
$3,499
Deposit: $700
Past Trip
SOLO Bed

Select this option to have your own room in Panama City and your own (non-shared) bed on the sailboat.  

Read more
$4,999
Deposit: $700
Past Trip

Available Add-Ons

Hotel Shuttle (on arrival)
$20

Our hotel in Panama City offers an airport shuttle service for $20/person on arrival. 

Taxis are available as well if you are in a group!

Read more
Pre-Trip Extra Night (Shared)
$300

If we are able to match you with another GLTer, we will refund you both $150 to split the room cost .

Read more
Pre-Trip Extra Night (Solo)
$300
Post-Trip Extra Night (Shared)
$300

If we are able to match you with another GLTer, we will refund you both $150 to split the room cost .

Read more
Post-Trip Extra Night (Solo)
$300
Download Brochure

Itinerary

Day 1
Welcome to Panama!

Welcome to Panama! Celebration is underway!


Once you land in Panama City (PTY), make your way to the hotel to meet the rest of the GLTers! 


Once everyone is checked in and settled, we will have a welcome meet and greet (complimentary drink and light snacks provided) to get to know everyone and kick off this awesome trip! We'll be painting our own Panama hats to take on our adventure! 


If you're interested in the nightlife scene, we'll head over to a local rooftop restaurant and bar after our meet and greet to wind down and welcome in the weekend!


Meals Included: Light snacks provided at Meet & Greet

Read more

Your Organizer

GL
Girls LOVE Travel
208 reviews
Joined in April 2018
See profile

Reviews

BS
The trip was amazing! Everyone was so nice. And Haley and Sandy did SUCH a great job planning it, and then keeping it going smoothly. There was the perfect amount of activity time and down time. Panama was beautiful - both the city and the islands. Our host on the boat was incredible and the first mate was an incredible cook. I already signed up for another GLT trip.
Read more
By Becky S for Panama 2025 - GLT Celebrates 100 Years of Guna Independence on Mar 09, 2025
SB
My trip to Panama with GLT was so much fun! Getting to stay in old town Panama and explore that area was so cool, lots of adorable little streets and churches and squares to explore. Living on a catamaran sailing among the San Blas islands was paradise. I wish I could have stayed forever. Beautiful islands, amazingly welcoming indigenous communities, gorgeous reefs and waters. I could go on and on about how special it was but really you just have to go see it yourself! And no better way than with GLT trips! I’ve always loved meeting new friends and the trips are always well organized and thought out. This was my 3rd GLT trip and I know I’ll be going on more.
Read more
By Sydney B for Panama 2025 - GLT Celebrates 100 Years of Guna Independence on Mar 09, 2025
CL
Panama 2025 - GLT Celebrates 100 Years of Guna Independence was truly an unforgettable adventure—equal parts breathtaking scenery and unexpected plot twists! To start with the positives, Panama itself is a marvel. The diversity in its landscapes and the warm, kind-hearted locals made the journey all the more special. The San Blas Islands, in particular, were an oasis of natural beauty that took my breath away. And the food? Absolute perfection. Each meal was a highlight in its own right—flavors that danced on the palate and reminded me why traveling is such a joy. I came away enriched, having learned so much and experienced the splendor of this incredible country. I’ll absolutely be back to explore more of what Panama has to offer. That said, the trip wasn’t without its hurdles, and I think future travelers should know what to expect. As a solo traveler, I found the price steep, especially when factoring in the shared boat accommodations, which lacked the private bathroom perk enjoyed by shared accommodations. There was a fair amount of misinformation and mismanagement that, at times, overshadowed the joy of the experience. One major misstep was the "leisure bike ride," which turned into a grueling 4-hour, 12+ mile journey with steep inclines, no bathroom breaks, and inadequate preparation for water, gear, or attire. Leisure? Not quite. Painful? Absolutely. This ordeal left a lasting impression for the remainder of the trip —and not in a good way. The ride to San Blas was another misadventure, with a roadside accident leaving us stranded for seven hours. Communication was sparse, and basic necessities like food and water were left to the travelers to figure out. A quick trip to fetch supplies could have alleviated a lot of stress in this situation. Additionally, the logistics of the two boats were puzzling. They were anchored far apart for much of the trip, causing segregation and discomfort. Being asked to spend an hour on the other boat (away from my belongings), leading into 4 actual hour without proper notice led to some avoidable mishaps, including a sunburn when I didn’t have my rash guard on hand. Despite these challenges, I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to have been part of such a unique journey. Panama's natural beauty and warm hospitality shone through, reminding me why I love to travel in the first place. With some improvements in planning and communication, this trip could easily transform into an exceptional experience.
Read more
By Carrie L for Panama 2025 - GLT Celebrates 100 Years of Guna Independence on Mar 09, 2025
SP
Love, light, and happiness. This trip found me when I needed it most, and am I so glad that I went with it. The itinerary was executed with confidence and grace, knowing that we would have the most amazing time. Kudos to Haley and Sandy for organizing a trip of a lifetime!
Read more
By Shayna P for Panama 2025 - GLT Celebrates 100 Years of Guna Independence on Mar 08, 2025
AW
My second GLT trip was a success! Haley and Sandy were absolutely amazing from the very beginning. I was incredibly impressed with how above and beyond they went when a hurricane put a kink in our plans. The amount of leg work these girls did behind the scenes to adjust plans and ensure everyone got there safely is commendable. When our group got together everything else just fell into place. All the tours, excursions, and experiences were incredible! I was also overjoyed when I learned a few of my previous travel companions had booked the same trip, so not only was this a mini reunion for a few of us, but I had the pleasure of making some true connections with new people as well. A wonderful experience all around ☺️
Read more
By Adriana W for GLT Belize - Nov 2024 on Dec 08, 2024
Show More Reviews

References

CM
I really had no idea what I was in store for when I booked this trip. Egypt is on most of our “bucket lists,” so expectations were high. Before leaving, GLT makes everything seamless. Booking is easy, communication lines are open and responses are prompt. I also found the Facebook Group to be particularly helpful with the expertise of people who have either traveled to Egypt or have gone on GLT trips. The itinerary is thoughtfully curated to allow time for rest if you want (you won’t want, trust me!) or you can choose to go on other excursions. As soon as you land you’re met by an agent who guides you through customs and gets you in transportation to the hotel. When we arrived at the hotel it was close to 2a. Enter Yasser, our guide. He welcomed us with his warm smile even though it was early morning. We were impressed. I remember getting the feeling we were in good hands, but that was only the beginning. From day one you could tell Yasser was full of knowledge. He answered every question with love and passion. We were mesmerized by the stories he told us and we quickly became family. Everywhere we went Yasser knew someone. After a quick hello and a hug, Yasser’s friends would be on their way, but not before yelling things like, “you have the best guide” and “that’s my teacher. You’re very lucky!” As I write this, I can’t help but to smile. Yasser made this trip memorable. I felt extremely safe and loved the opportunity to meet new people and socialize. If you’re on the fence and thinking about going on this trip, don’t think! You’ll leave in awe of this magical country and you’ll leave with a new extended family member with the name of Yasser. You won’t be sorry.
Read more
By Catherine M on 05 Oct, 2023

Photo Gallery