San Blas Islands: Paradise in Panama

The San Blas Islands in Panama are a paradise for backpackers, myself included.

This archipelago of 365 islands lies just off Panama’s Caribbean coast, making it easily accessible from the mainland.

While living in Medellin, I met and spoke with a steady stream of travelers who’d sailed from San Blas, Panama to Cartagena, Colombia.

The several days they spent island-hopping in beautiful San Blas was always the highlight.

The following two days spent traveling in the open sea involved varying tales of seasickness, sometimes leaving my stomach swirling at the thought of rough seas and inattentive boat captains.

After flying into Panama City, I learned it was possible to book a trip to San Blas, and it didn’t have to be part of a sailing trip to Cartagena.

The idea of hanging out on a little Caribbean island for a few days sounded dreamy, so I added time for it at the end of my two-week Panama itinerary.

Planning a Trip to San…