GoSanBlas sailing the islands from the inside

If I had to explain what gosanblas.net is, I wouldn’t start with a business. I would start with a place.

San Blas is not a destination you simply visit. It’s a place that, over time, changes the way you see things: time, pace, what really matters. It’s quiet, simple, and it slowly brings you back to what’s essential.

We didn’t arrive here with the idea of building something. We arrived as backpackers, each on our own path, without a clear plan, just moving forward like many people do. It was here, working on different sailboats, that we met.

Over time, San Blas stopped being just another stop and became home. We lived on boats, worked on them, and moved between islands, seasons, and people. Little by little, we began to understand this place from the inside, not as travelers passing through, but as part of its rhythm.

For years, we talked about creating something of our own. It was an idea that kept coming and going without ever fully taking shape. Eventually, we decided to take that step and build our own website. That’s how GoSanBlas began.

Not really as a company, but as a way to help others find an experience that truly reflects what this place is.

Along the way, we met many people arriving here for the first time. Some had incredible experiences. Others didn’t. What made the difference was rarely the destination itself. It was the way they experienced it, the boat they chose, the people they met, the pace of the journey, and the expectations they arrived with.

Today, yes, we help organize sailing trips in San Blas. But that’s not really the point.

The point is how you arrive here: to slow down, disconnect, spend time on the water, and experience the islands without rushing through them. Because San Blas is not about doing more. It’s about needing less.

Everything we do comes from that idea.

What follows is part of that story: how we ended up here, what life in San Blas is really like, and what you can expect from a sailing trip through the islands.

Before focusing on sailing trips in San Blas, we spent several years working aboard sailboats sailing between Cartagena and the islands. This route between Colombia and Panama is one of the most well-known sailing passages in the Caribbean and, for both of us, it became the beginning of a much bigger story.

Nico first joined as a volunteer crew member and gradually gained experience in navigation, safety, and the daily rhythm of life onboard. Florencia started working on larger sailboats along the same route, preparing meals for guests during multi-day crossings before later becoming part of the crew herself.

Those years meant long passages, changing weather, night watches, and countless days at sea. We met travelers from all over the world and experienced parts of the Caribbean that many people only see on a map.

The crossings themselves were always exciting, but there was one place that kept drawing us back: the San Blas Islands.

At first, San Blas was simply a stop along the route. Then it became the place we looked forward to the most. Eventually, we stopped just passing through.

We stayed.

Life in the San Blas archipelago moves at a different pace.

The islands are part of Guna Yala, an autonomous Indigenous territory where tourism remains relatively small-scale and closely connected to both local communities and the natural environment. There are no large resorts or busy marinas filled with yachts. Instead, you'll find hundreds of small islands, coral reefs, and sailboats anchored in clear turquoise water.

Living here for years has changed the way we understand the archipelago. We've learned how the wind shapes sailing routes between islands, which boats perform best in shallow reef areas, what life onboard is really like, and how to move respectfully within Guna territory.

Most of that knowledge doesn't come from guidebooks or short visits. It comes from spending time here, season after season, and slowly learning the rhythm of the islands.

The San Blas Islands include more than 350 islands scattered along Panama’s Caribbean coast. Most are small, many are uninhabited, and the distances between them are part of what makes the archipelago so unique.

Because of that, sailing is one of the best ways to experience the region. A typical trip lasts three or four days, giving you time to move between islands, snorkel on coral reefs, visit small Guna communities, walk along quiet beaches, and enjoy life onboard.

What many travelers remember most, however, isn't any particular activity. It's the pace. Days are shaped by the wind, the weather, and the place where the boat anchors for the night. There is rarely any rush to get somewhere else.

After spending time here, many people realize that slowing down is part of the experience. In many ways, that's what sailing in San Blas is really about.

The sailing fleet in San Blas is made up primarily of catamarans and monohull sailboats. Catamarans generally offer more space, stability, and comfort, while monohulls provide a more traditional sailing experience and often feel more connected to the sea.

Over the years, we've learned that choosing the right boat is not simply about size or comfort. It's about finding the experience that best matches each traveler.

That's why at GoSanBlas we don't try to list every boat in the archipelago. Instead, we work with a carefully selected group of boats and crews we know personally. Having spent years sailing and working alongside many of them, we're able to help travelers find the option that best fits the kind of trip they're looking for.

Because of their remote location, reaching San Blas is part of the experience.

Most travelers start from Panama City.

4x4 + Boat transfer

• Drive from Panama City to the Caribbean coast (approx. 3–4 hours)
• Continue by boat to the islands or directly to your sailboat

Small plane flight

• Direct flights from Panama City to the islands
• Shorter travel time
• Aerial views of the archipelago

Both options are commonly used for San Blas sailing trips.

After years working on sailboats in the region, we saw a pattern.

Many travelers arrived in San Blas with expectations shaped by generic travel websites.

Some expected resorts.

Others didn’t fully understand what life on a sailboat would be like.

Go San Blas grew from a simple idea:

To share the islands the way we came to know them — slowly, by sea, and with the right expectations.

Today, we focus on helping travelers organize sailing trips that reflect the real rhythm of the islands.

San Blas is not a mass tourism destination.

It’s a place with space. With silence. With a kind of calm that many people haven’t felt in a long time.

And for many travelers, that feeling becomes the most valuable part of the journey.

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How do travelers reach the San Blas Islands?

Most visitors travel from Panama City either by 4x4 vehicle followed by a boat transfer, or by small plane flight directly to the islands. Both options are commonly used for sailing trips.

How long are typical sailing trips in San Blas?

Most travelers spend 3 to 4 days sailing between the islands, allowing time to explore different anchorages and enjoy the slower rhythm of the archipelago.

What kinds of boats sail in San Blas?

The fleet mainly includes catamarans and traditional sailboats, offering different sailing styles depending on comfort preferences and group size.

Do I need sailing experience?

No sailing experience is needed. Trips include an experienced crew who manages navigation and daily life on board.