San Blas Dreams • San Blas & Panama Tours — Attraction in Bella Vista

Agent: San Blas Dreams

Firstly, I should say that the San Blas Islands are beautiful, raw and relatively untouched by Western civilization. Secondly, the Guna Yala indigenous people are shy, curious and hospitable. Thirdly, the weather and seascapes were lovely. That's the positives. Now bear in mind we spent $1000 for a 3 night 4 day experience which was over sold and under delivered by San Blas Dreams (SBD). Some bullit point comments will explain: SBD does not have an office so is run from home as an internet based company...so no come back if you like us are not happy. So, SBD attempt to inoculate themselves in their ticket details against adverse feedback and criticism in advance of their customers experiences. Transfer by 6 seater MPV is a v small to normal seat lottery and costs $60 p/p (i.e. $360 for a 5hr round trip). Compared to a shared and comfortable uber (cheap in Panama) by comparison. The driver only gets a proportion of this money. Our accommodation on Pelico Island was shockingly below rudimentary standards vis-a-vis a block of 6 units cheek by jowl with plywood screens and no privacy (e.g. we had 4 guys and a woman dormitory style next door swearing and talking noisily whilst my wife and I were trying to sleep); and with building materials stacked in front of our unit. See photos. The first photo is what we were sold on which was a stand alone sand floor unit. Other photos show building works opposite the block of accommodation we were put into. When we tried to get the 'stand alone' unit we were expecting (or an upgrade due to our units misrepresentation) the SBD owner focused on money and 'price point' rather than our customer complaint. Platitudes were offered by useless 'Roger' (e.g. 'settle in and concentrate on the lovely islands') in place of action as other guests also commented, and he even tried to shed responsibilty on to the Guna Yala people. Tony (Roe...I think is his surname) is the guy hiding behind his parapet whilst pulling the strings and paying others to take the heat whilst he pockets the profits. Internal photos of units are deceiving and I urge you to ask for external date/time stamped photos of the 'private unit' you will be allocated and get the outlook you expect and paid for. Food is tasty but basic and kitchen/water hygiene is a concern after leaving Cayos-Holandesa with diarrhoea The plastic bottles and debris menace is common on island beaches and it was surprising given the island taxes that the Guna Yala don't comb the beaches and dispose of it on the mainland with financial incentives to do so. Boat hulls are deep and 'all' should have ladders to assist boarding them from the sea/beach.

Others will be complaining including a honeymoon couple from Sweden who were upset by the poor quality experience.

So...be warned.

Big tip. Stick to the Maldives, Thailand, Cambodian and Cook islands for a beautiful, value for money islands experience that will meet expectations with no advance excuses.

N.b. Further to the response by SBD below, I stand by my review and furthermore we were NOT moved to alternative private accommodation we were placed in the unit I described and we actually booked all 3 nights in stand alone 'private' units. My only error it seems is in the licensing of the MPV's which I was not privy to but are less than adequate for 6 people and very expensive in terms of transfers. The uber was used as a pricing 'comparison' only, not a replacement. You talk of quality but this is an absolute joke for the overall price we paid and our awful experience at this 'price point'. I gave a few positives at the start of my review but none of them were related to you as our 'money focused' agent, so you are right on that score. We are world travellers and this was shocking for the money we paid. I hope it does deter as your 'valued clients' would find a more value for money...

My husband and I booked a 2 night stay at San Blas Islands for us and his parents. Overall, the trip was every bit as amazing as everyone has shared. It’s absolutely beautiful on the islands and time passes so slowly there! We were very lucky that our stay had mostly sunny skies and it rained the most on our trip back to the mainland. I’d definitely book another trip in the future.

As they mention on their website, the islands’ infrastructure is not a 5-star experience but it really speaks mostly to electricity and plumbing. The family who hosted us on their island were very kind and hospitable but if you’re not used to having immediate access to electricity (our housing did not have any electricity at all and bathroom/shower stalls only had lights right outside the door so if you use the bathroom at night make sure you have a flashlight) or plumbing that you’re used to on the mainland (there is limited access to fresh water as the water appears to come from pipes that go into the island and down to the ocean), then just be prepared to be outside of your comfort zone. It took the first night of this to really settle in and find comfort in our stay.

Things my family and I recommend bringing for your trip:

bring your own hand sanitizer for cleaning your hands and cutlery. They have hand sanitizer on the island but it’s not clear how long it’s been sitting out in the sun and it’s effectiveness can be affected due to sun and heat exposure. bring multiple portable battery chargers. The island uses a generator for their electric and if you try charging your phone (which can only happen in the evening) it will take forever. have a rain jacket and waterproof bags/trash bags ready for the ride back to the mainland. It rained the entire morning and afternoon we left the island and by the time we arrived on the mainland our bodies and belongings were soaked. We didn’t plan on the rain so weren’t prepared and the car ride was especially uncomfortable as all of our clothes were wet. I caught a fever that night because I couldn’t change into dry clothes and the car had its AC on for the 3 hour ride back. Absolutely terrible experience. I definitely recommend taking supplements before, during, and after your trip to the island to keep your immune system high and working because after arriving, my husband, MIL, and I started having symptoms of food poisoning and it’s been nearly 4 days and we still haven’t recovered.

With all that being said, I would still book another trip with this agency. The trip was a dream and you just need to be prepared to be pushed outside the comforts of coming from countries or cities that have a strong infrastructure. You’re in the middle of the ocean where the Indigenous community are the ones allowing you to stay in their home. We’ve traveled to Hawaii and I can say that the San Blas Islands offer even more beautiful views and tranquility than Oahu. Just come prepared and enjoy the opportunity to share the islands with the...

Do NOT book with this company(Trekksoft, A San Blas D). They are a broker ONLY They do not protect their clients from extortion from the Guna Yala guides. The SAME thing could happen to YOU. I seriously recommend Viator NOT let them promote on their platform.

I booked 2 people on Sat. Jan 20 for the Island Hopping (Pelican/Money Heist) tour. We followed all their contradicting directions sent via email including having our own snacks and being ready for pickup when the driver arrived early. Nevertheless, we arrived very late to the pier (over an hour late after the 9AM boat arrival at the port). We were instructed to have a copy of the receipt with the pending balance from the $70 deposit. We ere told that the $190 balance would be paid directly to the Guna Yala guide. I had a screenshot of the receipt in my phone because I was unsure of the internet access. When we finally arrived very rushed to the 1st island. We were instructed that a member of the host family would come to each of us to collect the additional funds. That means you can't really start enjoying the island because you don't know when they may call for you. When it was our time to pay, the guide instructed us that we owed $110 MORE than the agreed upon amount. Understandably, the guide did not speak English well BUT he could count money well. I showed him the receipt AND accessed the PDF directly from the email sent from San Blas Dreams. THEY STILL DEMANDED MORE MONEY. we only brought an extra $30 a piece for incidentals. The guide and a male member of the host family took ALL our money including the extra $60 dollars. he held the money while the other family member made a call. This took about 15min. I was trying to calm my friend down who was very upset and scared. When the guide returned to us he gave us back the $60 buck but said we owed an additional $20 when we got back to port. WHY? When the receipt showed the remaining balance. This was upsetting and "nerve- racking' throughout the remainder of the tour. Keep in Mind you are NOT under the jurisdiction of Panama anymore. You are in the hands of the Guna Genral? Throughout the remaining time on the tour the guide kept telling me not to forget to pay the additional money when we arrived back at the port AND he amount owed and who to give the money too changed?! Nevertheless, when we arrive at the port I decided to video record the transaction. The video happens in front of the San Blas Dreams Driver!!! He says nothing!! in the recording you clearly hear me ask 'WHY IS MORE MONEY REQUIRED" AND "YOU INCREASED THE AMOUNT OF THE TOUR?" The guide replies "YES". RECOMMENDATIONS: ensure your guide handles the funds with the GUNA guide before boarding the boat and book with a reputable company. This company's website is audaciously offending as a defense for their...