Catamaran Adventures San Blas — Local services in Guna Yala

Update - I'd previously given a 3 star review, but the dishonest response (rather than an apology) from Catamaran Adventures has led me to lower it to 1 star.

My complaint about the charter flight wasn't that the flight was delayed (it was), but that nobody told us it was delayed nor met us at the time we were told to arrive, leaving us standing on the road outside the gate to the airport.

The smell and the peeling ceiling in the cabins were the conditions when we first boarded the boat. This had nothing to do with whether or not we had the windows open.

We enjoyed the snorkeling, island visits, and paddle boarding; the activities weren't our complaint (although the glass bottomed kayak included in the listing didn't exist.).

I did misremember the price - it was $18780 (before the charter flight) for 5 nights for the 5 of us. So not $5k per night, but still in the luxury category.

If this the nicest boat, book elsewhere...

Prior review: Our disappointment began with the charter flight. Catamaran Adventures told us to arrive 30-45 minutes before our 7:30am flight, and then confirmed the night prior that we needed to be there no later than 6:50am. We were at the designated meeting point at 6:45am, but there was no answer from the charter service nor Catamaran Adventures. We stood outside the airport gate (initially wondering if the entire trip and our wire transfers had been a scam) until a van came 30 minutes later to take us to the hanger. Waits like this might be acceptable with commercial aviation, but not with private charter.

Once we got to the boat we were given a tour and our first impression was how bad the cabins on the lower level smelled. The cabins - and especially the bathrooms - reeked of sewage. This was pitched as luxury accommodations - $5k per night for the 5 of us - yet our rooms smelled like a latrine. And the rest of the boat was underwhelming as well: the linens were dated, the ceiling of our cabin was peeling off - it felt like we were on a boat from the 80s.

We just returned from our trip, and when we opened our suitcases, our clean clothes still reeked of the boat, as a reminder of how bad it smelled.

The boat supposedly had room for 10, but it was tight with just 5 of us. It rained a lot during our trip, and the roof over the outdoor area seemed to be a few inches short of what would make sense: all the rain from the roof poured down on the outdoor seating area, making it unusable whenever it was raining. And the indoor area was cramped, even with 5 people: things were stored under than table, so we had to sit at an angle, unable to put our legs under it.

Expectations for food were set high - “Top local and international cuisine with no lobster limitation” - and reality underwhelmed. They did make us a great dinner on New Year’s Eve, which met that standard - but the food for much of the trip underwhelmed. There was a day where dinner consisted of fried plantains, a salad of iceberg lettuce, and white rice. There wasn’t even a protein, let alone unlimited lobster…

This was sold to us - and priced - as a luxury trip, and reality fell far...

Our sailing trip with Catamaran Adventures in San Blas was nothing short of a dream come true. From the very beginning, the planning process was seamless thanks to Chris, whose guidance and logistics were impeccable and easy to follow.

We were fortunate to have an incredible crew—David (Spain), Jose (Guna Yala), and Anne (France)—who provided outstanding professional service and genuine care throughout the journey. The private flights arranged for the trip were absolutely worth it, adding an extra layer of convenience and exclusivity.

Each of the five days was unforgettable, but the fourth day stood out as our favorite. The morning began with Anne’s beautifully prepared breakfast of fresh-cut fruit and warm biscuits picked up that morning from Ibin’s Beach restaurant which we’d visited the previous day on Banedub Island aka “The Pool.”

From there, we sailed from the Holandeses islands to the enchanting Coco Bandero islands. We swam and kayaked to nearby islands, captivated by their palm-fringed shores, driftwood sculptures, and the abundance of conch shells. After snorkeling near a sunken ship and the vibrant surrounding reef, we were treated to a visit from a friendly “pet” nurse shark, who swam around the catamaran and even rubbed its snout on the hull—an unexpectedly charming moment.

David speared a red snapper for the next night’s dinner, which Anne would later cook to perfection. That afternoon, we enjoyed a light lunch with white wine, reading and napping in the hammocks as we sailed peacefully to the next island.

Once there, we went ashore for another private island-hopping adventure, letting our imaginations run wild with scenes from Treasure Island and Swiss Family Robinson. While we explored, David returned to fishing and impressively caught a giant crab with his bare hands. Anne transformed it into yet another incredible meal—fresh, delicious, and completely satisfying. Nothing went to waste.

That night, we drifted off to sleep as a thunderstorm rolled through—an atmospheric ending to a perfect day.

This was truly a one-of-a-kind experience. A real adventure, filled with moments of wonder, relaxation, and connection to nature. We’re deeply grateful to Catamaran Adventures and everyone who helped make this journey so special. Ending the trip with three extra days in Casco Viejo made returning home...

Magical Christmas Sailing in San Blas Review of All-Inclusive San Blas Boat Trip

Our family spent 5 nights on the Salina 48' for Christmas '22 and simply had a magical experience. We fell in love with Captain Danny, Chef Paloma, and Second mate Jose. The three of them were an amazing team who anticipated all of our needs before we even knew we had them. They make the sailing and everything about living on the boat seamless and so wonderful. The food was so fresh and delicious and the variety was also really great. From curries to fresh lobster to pastas and steak, they could accommodate all of our dietary needs! Paloma even started making iced coffee for my husband and daughter as well as the very yummy Bialetti strong hot coffee that the rest of us enjoyed. She is a pastry chef as well and we loved all her desserts. The fresh fruit was always welcome and she seemed to know when we had been going all day and were beat and would suddenly offer awesome snacks at just the right moment. We saw amazing sealife from a morning visit with a dolphin to many rays - one who breached right in front of us, to a huge nurse shark who would visit us at dusk. The snorkeling was amazing and going from deserted island to deserted island in that ridiculously beautiful water was spectacular. The Seabobs were a lot of fun and the other water toys (sea kayaks and SUP's) were a great way to explore the tiny spits and islands. We would all hang out on the front trampoline at night and watch shooting stars and even saw a sparking meteor shoot across the sky. I cannot say enough to recommend the boat, the people and the stunning San Blas islands. Such hidden gems that are so unlike anywhere else we have sailed such as the BVI. No comparison! We would go back in a heartbeat!! There is so much beauty and warmth in the Kuna people as well who would come by on their boats and offer us fresh fish, lobster and handcrafts. The other thing that was impressive was it was so clear how much respect and admiration our boat crew had for the islands and Kuna people. Make your reservation NOW. Date of experience: December 2022

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