Avis Private Over the Water Cabin on San Blas Island

Communication was good and highly organized. We felt safe and didn’t need to lock up our bags or valuables at all times. Weather was rough (not their fault) so the stay was a challenge with super high winds and rain. The island was covered in trash nearly all the way around. Our cabin doors were off hinge and barely closed. The shower and sink were filthy and the toilet stained. The water smelled strongly of sulpher so we did not shower nor use it for anything other than a hand wash. Food was pretty good. Hosts were friendly, helpful and gracious.

Overall experience was interesting. San Blas is a very unsual place for tourism. Among other San Blas islands, this island was pretty good (i did like 4 different islands). If you want to see San Blas - this property is pretty good among other. I would recommend it. BUT - as everywhere in San Blas, do not expect anything fancy or comfortable - water/shower work only on demand - electricity in your room only from 6pm till aprx 7am - commute with the mainland through water taxis. And it was a bit tricky. For example, the only times i could leave the isalnd were 10am and 3pm. Just 2 options. All depends on passing boats with excursions. - the gabanas are constructed in a way that sea breeze goes through it. It was very windy inside the gabanna. And cold to sleep at night. So be prepared. - do not expect much communication with the property. the internet connection is limited on the island. They communciated through whatsapp. And my experience - they didn't reply:) But overall I liked that trip a lot. The guys who serve this property are very rural and authentic. It defintely a cultural experience. Another thing to consider: these guys are reliable. Other property (from anotehr island) that i had booked earlier, cancelled the reservation, when I was already on the islands. SO I DO RECOMMEND THIS PROPERTY. BUT OVERALL PLEASE BE BETTER PREPARED FOR SAN BLAS EXPERIENCE.

The island itself is beautiful. The day before our trip we were told they oversold our room and needed to move us. The main problem with that was that they moved us to a room without a bathroom (we had rented one with a bathroom). They originally wanted us to pay more because it was more expensive I guess, but they changed to moving us without paying more. I know things like this can happen, however the lady next to us had the same thing happen to her. The rooms are very basic, which was expected. There was electricity from 6pm-6am. The main bummer with our new room was that there was no ladder to the water, which was fine to get in but we could not get out without swimming around to the bathrooms. The food was good for what we were offered. It was fried chicken and whole fish for lunch and then for dinner was the same plus octopus. If you go I suggest you take snacks and drinks (you can buy beer for $2-3). They also do not provide towels but we never needed one because the weather was amazing and the showers were...really cold. Overall it was a very beautiful place with very nice people but you need to be mentally prepared for a "camping" like experience.

This is an AMAZING place, run by indigenous Guna Yala people. My family and I stayed there four nights and absolutely loved it. However, this experience is ONLY for people who truly enjoy camping and roughing it! It's much more like a youth hostel than a hotel, and truth be told, there's more trash on the island (and in all of San Blas) than any of the visitors would like. There is no connectivity, and the electricity and water are only available for some of each day. But if you can handle this, it's a truly memorable experience. The over-water cabins are rustic and mostly unfinished, but the mattresses are comfortable and there are no insects. We brought our own snorkeling equipment (which you should also do), and spent our time almost entirely in the water, exploring the nearby coral reefs, kayaking to nearby islands and meeting people and snorkeling there, chopping open coconuts that had fallen from the trees, and generally spending every moment in nature. It was a highly refreshing getaway from everything - all of us slept more deeply on Wailidup Island than we had in years. Meals are good, but BYO fruit! Because there is no connectivity, you MUST sort out everything about your transfers there and back ahead of time. A day trip is included to other islands, which they prefer to have you do on your last day, which means leaving San Blas at about 3 pm and arriving back into Panama City around 7-8 pm. The walkup Covid testing at Tocumen Airport is cheap and fast.