Preparation and Info Pan - Col
Preparation and Info Pan - Col
Preparation and Info Pan - Col
Money
★ For the islands - We recommend around $50-$100 usd for the purchase of drinks, coconuts and Kuna art (if you
are compulsive shopper/drinker, bring more!). There are no ATMs on the islands, in Carti, nor
Sapzurro/Capurgana.
★ From Panama City to Cartí - The j eep service is not included in the tour and cost $30USD
★ Panama to Colombia - Depending on how long you want to spend in Capurgana, this amount can vary. We
recommend staying at least a couple of nights in Capurgana/Sapzurro, to make the most of what this beautiful
carribean coast has to offer. Total onward travel to Cartagena is around $70 and Medellin it is around $60. The
first ATM you'll see is in Necocli, when travelling onward to Cartagena or Medellin.
What is included
4 days & 3 nights, boat transport from Carti to Sapzurro, meals from lunch the first day to lunch the last day,
accommodation, tour guide, Kuna Yala entrance fees, island fees, Panama immigration fees, snorkeling equipment
(mask and tube) beach equipment, & an unforgettable experience!!
Immigration
You will need to have 3 copies of your passport (one for military, one for maritime and one for immigration). Immigration
costs entering both panama and colombia are included in the cost of your trip, unless your country of origin has special
visa requirements.
Note - Travellers from South America will require additional documentation upon entrance to panama (check with your
guide)
Insurance
We recommend all travelers have their own Travel & Health insurance. Remember that you will be travelling in remote
islands. We recommend a travel insurance policy that covers loss/damage/theft of personal belongings and medical
insurance that covers travel and watersports.
Note - By booking you accept our terms and conditions and liability release
Allergies
Let us know if you have any allergies! Make sure that you have any medicine necessary in case you have an allergic
reaction on the trip (bees, seafood, nuts etc.). We can also store any medical equipment in coolers during the trip if
needed.
STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND INTO ANOTHER WORLD
Useful tips to get the most out of your adventure
Island time
Welcome to the caribbean and the magical world of San Blas! Leave your watch, your worries and your concept of time
behind!
Breakfast is in the morning, lunch is in the middle of the day and dinner is at night! Your guide will give you a rough idea
of the itinerary, but it's important to understand that anything can happen and the plan could change at any time! Be
prepared to go with the flow!
Where am I going?
During this journey you'll be travelling to one of the most beautiful, protected and remote archipelagos in the world, you'll
pass through the full length of San Blas, all 365 islands, made up of 49 villages, and the rest being deserted islands.
You'll travel to remote parts of the archipelago where almost no one else goes!
San Blas islands are an indigenous reserve. The real name is Kuna Yala, and the inhabitants are the Kuna people, try
and make the most of this experience, because it won't last forever!
Island living
It's important for us to preserve the Kuna culture and way of life as much as possible. That's why on this trip you'll live
like they do - leaving your comforts behind. Kuna traditionally sleep in hammocks in grass huts, their toilets are wooden
outhouses directly over the sea, what do you need?
Accommodations are rustic and generally consist of dorm style rules with mostly hammocks and sometimes beds,
depending on the island. There's no sleeping or toilet on the boat. Toilets may be kuna style over the water, a plumbed
toilet or a quick swim if your on a deserted island, old school! Take it as an experience.
Depending on the island, there will be a shower or a drum of fresh water to bathe with during the mornings and evenings.
NO drugs!
No drugs on the trip! We have a strict no drugs policy. Triple check that you have 100% don't have drugs on you or in
your luggage. At any point the authorities may stop us and check our luggage. At the panamanian immigration you will
definitely 100% have your bags searched, by hand and by dog. If you're caught you will go to jail for a very long time.
Like 10 years! This already happened to one of our guests. If it happens there is nothing we can do for you. Not fun.
If we find out you have drugs on you at any time, you will be removed from the trip.
Snorkeling safety
Mask on ready to discover a tropical underwater world! Hold on a sec and lets make sure were safe. Ask your guide
where the best spot to snorkel is, if there are any currents and what to be careful of.
Every group is different! It's you that makes the trip special!
We do our best to set the scene and give you the opportunity to have an amazing adventure, maybe even the journey of
a lifetime! however, in the end your experience will depend a lot on the energy that you bring and how you embrace
whatever comes. Please come with an open mind and a good spirit!!
SAFETY TIPS FOR COLOMBIA!!
Colombian people are proud and happy that you are visiting their country and are keen to look toward the
future. However, While crime rates are lower than they’ve ever been in Colombia, there is still some risk
involved as with any country. We have some important tips to help keep you out of harm's way!
There’s a great phrase in Colombia: ‘no dar un papaya’ – literally ‘don't give Papaya’ (not the fruit). In this
case “papaya” refers to opportunity, meaning D ON'T MAKE YOURSELF AN EASY TARGET!. Using
common sense and following some simple safety tips will vastly decrease the likelihood of falling victim to
crime or theft:
★ Avoid walking alone after dusk, especially if you’re a female. There are a number of taxi apps
available in Colombia (Tappsi and Cabify) which allows anybody with data to get home safe. Ask
someone to walk you home or to your hostel, Wait until a group of friends are heading in the same
direction but do not walk alone.
★ Avoid hailing taxis on the street and book through an app. Robbery of taxi passengers does occur
and its important to book a licensed taxi to avoid this.
★ Talk to hostel staff about no-go areas. No Matter where you go there will always be some sketchy
areas that you should avoid. Ask about these and do just that, avoid them.
★ Take out the minimum in terms of cash and cards. When exploring, take what you need, and keep
the rest safely locked up in your hostel locker.
★ Buses are safe, but avoid travelling on rickety old ones overnight.
★ Leave the expensive jewellery at home. Also try to avoid flashing your phone/ wallet/ camera around
any more than is necessary.
★ Pay attention to where you’re going, not what’s on your phone
Follow these safety tips to ensure Safe and Happy travels throughout Colombia!!
LIABILITY RELEASE
Recreational Activity Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Express Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement
Express Assumption of Risk Associated with Recreational Activities. At San Blas Discovery, Nargana Panama - Established in Panama City
By accepting this release I hereby affirm and acknowledge that I have been fully understand the inherent hazards and risks associated with the recreational activity
generally described as boat trip and outdoor adventure tour of which I am about to engage in. Inherent hazards and risks include but are not limited to:
1. Risk of injury from activity during the tour, on the boat, on the islands, in the water and with equipment utilized is significant including the potential for permanent
disability and death.
2. Possible water damage or damage of any kind may occur to my personal belongings and electronics.
3. This activity takes place outdoors and therefore includes risks associated with exposure to elements, excessive heat, impact of the body upon the water, injection of
water into my body orifices, encountering objects either natural or man-made, exposure to animals, sea life, corals and rocks which may bite, sting, cause infection, cut or
puncture my skin in an unanticipated manner causing injury and/or death.
4. My own negligence and/or the negligence of others, including but not limited to operator error and guide decision making including misjudging sea condition, weather,
route and schedule.
5. Attack by or encounter with insects, sea life, or land animals.
6. Accidents or illness occurring in remote places where there are no available medical facilities.
7. Fatigue, chill, and/or dizziness, which may diminish my/our reaction time and increase the risk of accident.
8. Accident, sickness, injury or death related to any kind of transport before, during or after the trip.
*I understand the description of these risks is not complete and that unknown or unanticipated risks may result in injury, illness,
or death before, during and after the trip. Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims and Indemnity Agreement
* I understand that the transport provided during this trip is provided by the Kuna people and is not the responsibility of San Blas Discovery.
* I understand all transport before or after the trip is provided by external providers and is not the responsibility of San Blas Adventures.S.A or
San Blas Discovery S.A
* I understand that I am responsible for my belongings and that if something is damaged in any way, including water damaged,stolen or lost
during, before or after the trip, it is my own loss and not the responsibility of San Blas Adventures.S.A or San Blas Discovery S.A.
* I understand that San Blas Adventures S.A is an intermediary reservation company and the company responsible for the operation of the tour
is San Blas Discovery S.A.
* I understand that sometimes trips can be delayed and I should not have flights booked directly after. Any flights or reservations lost due to
delays are my own responsibility
* I understand that from this point on there is no refund of my trip fare or deposit.
* I understand that I am not covered by the insurance of San Blas Discovery, nor the insurance of San Blas Adventures. And that I should have
my own insurance to cover me in case of any injury or death that may occur during the trip.
*If you have insurance we suggest you check with them to make sure you are covered for this journey. If you do not have insurance we
suggest you purchase insurance to cover you for this trip.
In consideration for being permitted to participate in the activity(ies) described above the related activities, I hereby agree, acknowledge and appreciate that.
1. I HEREBY RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH, or loss or damage to person
or property, WHETHER CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE, the following named persons or entities, herein referred to as releases.
2. To release the releases, their officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents, and volunteers, and vessels from liability and responsibility whatsoever
and for any claims or causes of action that I, my estate, heirs, survivors, executors, or assigns may have for personal injury, property damage, or wrongful death arising
from the above activities whether caused by active or passive negligence of the releases or otherwise, before, during or after the trip. By booking the trip, accepting or
executing this document, I agree to hold the releases harmless and indemnify there in conjunction with any injury, disability, death, or loss or damage to person or
property that may occur as a result of engaging in the above activities.
3. By entering into this Agreement, I am not relying on any oral or written representation or statements made by the releases, other than what is set forth in
this Agreement. This release shall be binding to the fullest extent permitted by law. If any provision of this release is found to be unenforceable, the remaining terms shall
be enforced.
This release shall be binding to the fullest extent permitted by law. If any provision of this release is found to be unenforceable, the remaining terms shall be
enforced.
BY ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT I CONFIRM I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT, AND I
FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, AND UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP LEGAL RIGHTS BY ACCEPTING IT, AND I ACCEPT IT
FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT.By signing this document I also confirm that I have read and fully understand the general
information document by email or hard copy.