faqs

Why visit San Blas? Have you ever fantasized about visiting Tahiti or Bora Bora? We live among a sailing community that has, and can assure you that the paradisiac charm of that once pristine area has suffered under the predatory hand of westernization. Five star hotels abound, and so do stores and expensive shops that have done little to embellish once naturally beautiful landscapes. San Blas is still virgin territory that has been sheltered from industrialization thanks to the Kuna law that governs it. But the Kuna perspective is gradually changing and rapid development of the islands is in progress (for better or for worse). If you want to experience what the authentic promise of the Polynesia once was, this is the place to do so here in Central America. 

Why visit aboard a sailboat? Aside from the comfort and beauty of sleeping and living on a boat, this is the only way to get to see more than a couple of islands in a short period of time. Transportation between the islands, otherwise, is rare and infrequent. 

How do I get to Panama? There's direct flights to Panama City from over 10 cities in the U.S. and over 25 cities worldwide. There's usually more than one flight per day, too. It only takes 3 hours to get to Panama City from Miami! 

How do I get to San Blas from Panama City? 

By plane – Air Panama flies once a day from Panama City to El Porvenir every day of the week. It costs $90 USD for a roundtrip ticket and it takes 30-45 minutes. We’ll pick you up and drop you off at the El Porvenir airport.  

By car – We work with a reliable company that will take you on a 2-hour car ride to the Barsukum river, where a motorboat will meet you to bring you to Elefante island (in 25 mins or so) to meet us. The car trip costs $50 USD roundtrip and the motorboat costs $30 USD roundtrip. We'll take care of these reservations for you.

Do I share the boat with other people? No. The boat is booked for one party of people only as a private charter.

When do I go and what do I bring? The weather's great all year long. The sun shines throughout the day even in the rainy season. All you need to bring is swimwear and a few articles of clothing. If you have your own snorkeling or fishing gear, bring that too!

Why charter with Ni Banu? We are two friends who first and foremost love to travel to achieve two things: see new places to learn from new people, and in turn learn about ourselves, ratifying where we come from at each step of the way. We’ve both been to numerous countries in the different continents and agree on at least one thing: we can’t get enough of it. We love to eat good food and engage in all sorts of discussions. Above all, we firmly believe that in order to start living one has to have one goal in mind and one goal only – happiness. That word morphs into a different meaning depending on the individual, but as long as it is the basis for living, isn't life great? Hang out with us in this small piece of heaven and rest assured that if we haven’t managed to convince you to sell it all and quit it all for your dream life, at least you will have had a fabulous, relaxing and enriching experience with two soul-searching vagabonds of the sea.

Did we leave something out? Let us know!