Thinking of going to San Blas?
About San Blas Tours
San Blas (or Guna Yala) is a paradise archipelago with 365 islands of white beaches and crystal-clear waters.
It’s easy to fall in love with such a destination; at first glance, it seems like the perfect place to visit in Panama. However, we want to compare it with the Pearl Islands, which, although less popular, has a lot to offer.
The Pearl Islands archipelago has very popular islands, such as Contadora, Saboga, Viveros, and, most recently, Mogo Mogo Island. What most people don’t know is that the Pearl Islands have more than 200 paradisiacal islands that are on par with San Blas.
This incredible archipelago is accessible from Panama City. This means your tour doesn’t have to start at 5 a.m., as is the case with San Blas Tours. Nor is it necessary to take the long two-hour drive on a mountainous road with so many curves that many tour operators recommend taking motion sickness medication. The Pearl Islands tour departs from the Amador Causeway. And if you take a private boat, you choose your departure time.
About pricing
The price difference between Tours to San Blas and Tours to Las Perlas isn’t much. Both tours range (depending on the provider) between $100 and $150 per person for a day pass.
The biggest difference occurs when you choose a Private Tour to Las Perlas. Of course, if you put together your own group to rent the boat, you’ll have a much better experience than if you take a shared tour with strangers, but in general, the costs to both destinations will be very similar.
About vessels
The boats in San Blas tend to be purely utilitarian. This is because they are designed simply to carry you from one island to another as quickly as possible.
Boats to Las Perlas tend to be more comfortable. Especially those offered by Gem Charters, as our fleet has been carefully selected to give you the best combination of comfort and speed. Our priority is to make your trip a pleasant experience from start to finish.
About the Guna Culture
One thing San Blas definitely has that Las Perlas doesn’t is the cultural appeal of the Guna Yala native tribe. Many of its tours include visits to their community areas, which may include traditional dance performances, cultural explanations, mola sales, and more.
However, as a destination governed by native rules, it’s important to keep in mind that this comes with limitations. For example, there are no nude beaches, and taking photos or filming of sacred areas, celebrations, or rituals is prohibited. Likewise, tourists are not allowed to walk around the community in bathing suits, among other rules that can lead to problems if not followed.
El Archipiélago de Las Perlas no tiene estas limitantes. Hay varias playas nudistas, puedes tomar fotos y videos sin restricciones, incluso usar drones está permitido.
Muchas de las Islas a las que van nuestros capitanes están deshabitadas. Ofreciendo privacidad para realizar todo tipo de actividades, desde sesiones de fotos, actividades acuáticas como snorkeling, fiestas privadas y demás.
About the food
Most tours in San Blas offer meals included. However, it’s important to note that the options are usually limited, as the food depends on what’s in season and what’s caught during the day. Options include rice, potatoes, fresh fruit, fish, or seafood. Vegetarian or kosher options are not available. If you request a vegetarian meal, they offer a double portion of fruit.
When you take a tour to Las Perlas, several islands have restaurants with extensive menus. Gem Charters’ services also include specialized catering (with vegetarian, kosher, or special diet options), or you can bring your own food, which will be prepared by the crew while you enjoy the beach.
About the activities
The beaches of San Blas are its biggest draw. Crystal-clear waters and white sands are far from the hustle and bustle of the city. (Although on weekends and holidays, it can be packed with tourists.)
One of its islands features a sunken ship for snorkeling around the reef. Another very popular destination within the archipelago is the natural pool. The natural pool is a point in the middle of the sea where the water reaches your knees and starfish are visible to the naked eye. Without a doubt, these are beautiful places to visit.
It’s worth mentioning that fishing is reserved exclusively for the Guna natives, not for tourists. The entry of pets or animals into the archipelago is prohibited.
The beaches of Las Perlas are equally beautiful, with islands that disappear and reappear with the tide. Many of these islands are ideal for not only snorkeling, but also kayaking, fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, scuba diving, jet-ski rentals, and more.
It’s worth noting that some of these activities (scuba diving and jet-skiing) are prohibited in San Blas.
Whale watching is an extremely popular activity in the Pearl Islands. This spectacle takes place every year from late June to early November.
In addition, the Pearl Islands archipelago also boasts other natural attractions such as waterfalls, trails, caves, and more.
About San Blas infrastructure
If you’re looking for more than a day in San Blas, you’ll notice that the facilities are quite rustic and only provide basic necessities. The cabins are ranch-style and made with materials found on the islands, including palms and other organic materials. The bathrooms lack plumbing in most cases, and showers are usually semi-private areas.
Of course, this is part of the islands’ charm, but it’s not for everyone.
In the Pearl Islands, there are several islands with first-class facilities to accommodate all needs. Hotels typically have air conditioning, internet access, a pool, and other amenities. Pearl Islands is a luxury destination that calls for comfortable, pleasure-focused relaxation.
If you’d like to spend a night (or several) in Pearl Islands, you can also stay on our ships. All have private bathrooms and, depending on the ship, bedrooms, full kitchens, air conditioning, and other amenities.
Si quieres un trip de lujo
Gem Charters offers a complete fleet, including speedboats, sailboats, and yachts, so you can customize your experience however you wish.
Your options include additional services such as multi-day stays, a professional chef, a DJ for parties, professional photographers, and more.
Gem Charters no longer offers tours to San Blas. We’ve focused on the Pacific coast, believing it to be a much more pleasant, comfortable, and easy experience for our clients.
We want you to have the best adventure. Get a quote for your tour to Las Perlas.
