Cayos Holandeses & Lemon Keys
3 Days/3 Nights

The Cayos Holandeses (or Dutch Cayes in English) are a group of a approximately 20 islands forming part of the San Blas Archipeligo. These are some of the most untouched and least visited islands in all of the San Blas. Only 3 of the islands are populated by the local Kuna Yala Indians and all are surrounded by virgin white sand beaches, the perfect place to enjoy a couple of days of peace and tranqulity. The Cayos Holandeses are also encompassed by a coral reef, which means that the entire area is perfect for snorkeling. Join us for the only budget Cayos Holandeses tour.

You´ll be amazed at how remote the Cayos Holandeses are compared to the other, over touristic, parts of the San Blas islands. Nowhere else in San Blas are the snorkeling sites as pristine, the fishing as successful and the marine life as abundant. The Lemon Keys are visited on a more regular basis by tourists and Kunas alike, but they are beautiful in their own right and home to the famous San Blas ship wreck, star fish island and the tiny, quaint Isla Pelicano, one of the smallest islands in the San Blas. Hook island where you will camp for 1 oe 2 nights is a quiet haven and one of the cleanest and prettiest islands in the area, and has a basic toilet as well. Carti where you might spend the night at Eulogio’s house on request. This is a very traditional San Blas Kuna village. The tour ends on the morning of the 4day where you’ll return to Panama City via road in a 4×4.

Important Information : This is a basic camping tour run by the Kuna Indians, we ultimately have no control from the moment you leave in the 4×4, we do try our very best to make sure everything runs smoothly but please read this FACT SHEET to give you an idea of the problems faced when going to the San Blas islands. We advise taking your own snorkeling gear when possible as the gear they have is not always in great condition, take a sheet along as well. Although this is a tour, it is more of a do it yourself tour, which goes for everything in the San Blas, you will be transported to all the locations but the guide will not be with you all the time and may not be as attentive as you might be used to on guided tours. I guess ultimately its part of the charm and the location makes up for the lack of service that is endemic in the islands. We are just trying to be honest so that your expectations are not too high. This camping trip is not for everyone but if you want an adventure and are happy to be left to it by your guide when exploring, this is a great tour that visits some of the most unseen areas of the San Blas islands, there is currently no other trip available that comes close to exploring the islands in this way.

The San Blas island tour experience

• Day 1 –  Pick up at  your hostel or hotel & transfer in 4×4 (Approx 2.5 – 3 hrs) to the San Blas islands of Carti. We advise buying all supplies before leaving Panama City. Otherwise you can pick up basic supplies in Carti (more expensive).  Eulogio will pick you up and take you to Carti for breakfast, you will have a tour of the local community and meet some of Eulogio’s family and friends. After lunch you will head to Isla Perro which on the right day has the most stunning turquoise waters of all the San Blas, you will spend the night camping on this small island (with toilet). An evening meal of fresh seafood when available, otherwise chicken, vegetables, pasta will be served.
• Day 2 –  Spend some time on Isla Perro and swim in the waters around Diablo (Devils Island) where you can swim over to the sunken ship. Tour the lemon keys, where you will visit some of the most beautiful islands in the area including Isla Pelicano, and star fish island, in the afternoon you will move camp to the beautiful and quiet Hook island which will be your base for the next two nights. This is a simple island, but is clean and has a great beach and reef to snorkel, one of my favourite spots in the San Blas
• Day 3 – Boat trip to some of the most remote areas and a huge sea lagoon where you will have the opportunity to fish for Conch and admire the hundreds of star fish littering the sea floor. Then with any luck you will chance upon a group of Sting ray. They can be in groups of 12 or more and some are over 8ft long.  You will spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the surrounding islands. Return to the camp where you can enjoy one of the stunning sunsets, weather permitting you can make yourselves a beach bonfire and lounge in the hammock with a beer. Opportunity to stay in the near by homestay, please request when booking your tour
• Day 4 –  Transfer back to the mainland, to your Hostel/Hotel. You will usually be back in the city by midday but the transport is presently unpredictable so it could be later than this.

Regular departures – DEPARTURES : Every Monday and Friday

There are some variations on dates so please ask before making plans

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You don’t need to be a member of a group as we’ll take anyone!!  If you do have a group ask us about special departure days

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