All-Inclusive San Blas: What a Crewed Catamaran Charter Includes

Short answer: there are no all-inclusive resorts in San Blas. Guna Yala is an autonomous Indigenous territory, and the places to sleep on the islands are simple cabins run by Guna families. The way to travel all-inclusive is aboard a crewed boat: all 24 of our boats, 20 of them catamarans, include a private captain and chef, three meals a day, drinks from the bar, fuel, water and the water toys. Only the Guna Yala fees and the transfer from Panama City are paid separately.

What all-inclusive means on a Nomad charter

• Your own crew: a captain who knows the reefs of Guna Yala and a chef on board.

• Three meals a day plus snacks, cooked on board and built around your group’s tastes and dietary needs.

• Drinks: standard bar drinks (wine, beer and rum), soft drinks and water.

• Fuel and water for the whole route.

• Water toys: snorkel equipment, paddleboards and kayaks.

• Internet: Starlink on 22 of the 24 boats, so you can stay connected at anchorages with no phone signal.

• The route: on a private charter you decide it with your captain, day by day.

Each boat page lists its own inclusions, because the extras change from boat to boat: some add floating pools, underwater scooters or a stewardess.

Drinks are included, but bars differ

Every charter includes drinks, and each boat sets its own bar. A few examples from the boat pages: the Lagoon 42G includes an open bar with up to three bottles of wine a day and sunset cocktails; on the Lagoon 56 wine, beer and cocktails are included and cocktails are ordered in advance; the Sunreef 62 carries a premium bar with cocktails and fine wine. Premium bottles beyond the boat’s bar are an extra.

What is not included

• The Guna Yala entrance fee: USD 20–22 per foreign visitor and USD 5 for residents and nationals, plus a port tax of USD 2–5 per person, paid in cash with your passport at the checkpoint.

• The transfer from Panama City: about 4 to 5 hours by 4×4 and boat, or a 40–45 minute private flight from Albrook Airport (PAC). We coordinate it and quote it separately.

• Extras: premium bottles, flights, travel insurance and crew gratuities.

• Public holidays: several boats add 20% on Panamanian public holidays.

How much does an all-inclusive San Blas trip cost per person?

Rates are per night for the whole private boat and grow with each guest. Divided among a full boat, these are the published rates per person per night:

For a couple, a private boat starts at USD 750 a night on the Bavaria 35 sailboat and at USD 1,000 a night on the Lagoon 400 catamaran. Our charter cost guide shows how to budget the whole trip.

All-inclusive on a boat, compared with the alternatives

• Island cabins: rooms on a Guna island, where bathrooms, electricity, meals and excursions differ from one property to another. You stay on one island and move by boat to the others. More in where to stay in San Blas.

• Day tours: you reach the closest islands, but spend four to five hours travelling each way. More in the truth about San Blas day trips.

• A crewed boat: your room, your meals and your transport move with you, so each day starts at a different anchorage. It is also the easiest way to reach the outer islands, like Cayos Holandeses, which day tours cannot reach.

Frequently asked questions

Are there all-inclusive resorts in San Blas?

No. Guna Yala has no resorts or large hotels: the islands are managed by the Guna people, and accommodation on land is simple cabins. The all-inclusive way to visit is a crewed boat, where meals, drinks and activities are part of the rate.

What does all-inclusive include on a San Blas catamaran?

A private captain and chef, three meals a day plus snacks, standard bar drinks, soft drinks and water, fuel, and water toys such as snorkel gear, paddleboards and kayaks. Most of our boats also have Starlink.

Is the Guna Yala entrance fee included?

No. By Guna law it is paid in cash at the checkpoint on the way in: USD 20–22 per foreign visitor and USD 5 for residents and nationals, plus a port tax of USD 2–5 per person.

How much is an all-inclusive trip to San Blas per person?

With a full boat, our published rates start at USD 260 per person per night, on the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i with six guests. On a catamaran with eight guests, the Lagoon 400 works out at USD 275 per person per night. Transfers and Guna Yala fees are extra.

Can we go all-inclusive for just one night?

Yes. Charters start at one night, with no maximum, and every night aboard is all-inclusive. Five nights is our recommendation for a first trip.

Plan your trip

Compare our all-inclusive catamarans and sailboats, see the six Premium catamarans, or tell us your dates and we will check which boats are free.