Go San Blas
Sailing the islands from the inside

If I had to explain what Go San Blas 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 that we met, working on different sailboats.

Over time, San Blas stopped being just another stop and became home.

We lived on boats. We worked on them. We moved between islands, seasons, and people. And 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, never quite taking shape. Until at some point, we decided to take that step and build our own website.

That’s how Go San Blas 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. And what made the difference was never just the destination. It was how they experienced it.

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.
• To disconnect.
• To experience the islands without rushing through them.

Because San Blas is not about doing more.

It’s about needing less.

And 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 in 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 routes in the Caribbean.

Nico first joined as a volunteer crew member. Over time, he gained experience in navigation, safety, and the daily rhythm of hosting travelers on board.

Florencia started working on larger sailboats on the same route, cooking for guests during multi-day crossings and later becoming part of the crew.

Those years meant long passages, changing weather, and a lot of time at sea.

The crossings were exciting.

But the place that kept drawing us back was always the same: the San Blas Islands.

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 small-scale and closely connected to local communities and the natural environment.

There are no large resorts. No big marinas full of yachts.

Instead, you find hundreds of small islands, coral reefs, and sailboats anchored in clear turquoise water.

Living here for years has shaped how we understand and organize sailing trips:

• How the wind affects sailing routes between islands
• Which boats work best in shallow reef areas
• What life on board is really like
• How to move respectfully within Guna territory

This kind of knowledge doesn’t come from short visits. It comes from time.

The San Blas Islands include more than 350 islands scattered along the Caribbean coast of Panama.

Most are small. Some are uninhabited.

Because of that, the best way to explore the region is by sailboat or catamaran.

A typical San Blas sailing trip lasts between 3 to 4 days and includes:

• Short sailing passages between islands
• Snorkeling on coral reefs
• Visiting small Guna communities
• Walking on quiet, empty beaches
• Sharing meals on board

It’s not a fast-paced itinerary.

And that’s exactly the point.

San Blas rewards slowing down.

For many travelers, that slower rhythm is what defines a true sailing experience in the islands.

The sailing fleet in San Blas is mainly made up of catamarans and monohull sailboats.

• Catamarans offer more space, stability, and comfort
• Sailboats offer a more classic, simple, and intimate experience

At Go San Blas, we don’t list every available boat.

Instead, we work with a carefully selected group of boats and crews we know personally.

This allows us to match each traveler with the right type of experience — not just the first available option.

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.