Jim's Articles

San Blas travel tours today with travel tricks

Best Tulum Cenote tour right now? Explore rowing on a kayak the beautiful Chagres River before it merges at the Gatun lake where the huge vessels and boats transit from Ocean to Ocean. The Chagres river is the main tributary of water of the Canal. A quite waterway, enjoying the sound of the wild life of this dense tropical forest. You might get the opportunity to see a sloth in a tree, a colorful bird peacefully living in the jungle or at the top the water plants, caimans, turtles among many others species of the local fauna. After a short hike to the small port used by the Embera indigenous at Gamboa, the tour last about 1 hour and 20 minutes (in the kayak) always accompanied by our bilingual guide and probably also by an Embera guide from the area who knows the place better than anyone. Find extra details on San Blas sailing charters.

When people think of Panama City they think of tall skyscrapers and large casinos. However, the area of Casco Viejo (aka San Felipe) is the old part of the city and where much of the city’s charm lies. Here you can find that stunning colonial architecture, beautiful churches, quaint restaurants, and much of Panama’s history. There are a few ways to explore this old part of the city. You can either just walk around on your own and admire the architecture and many coffee shops. This would still be a great experience and perfect for those on a tight budget (Panama isn’t exactly cheap.) However, if you’re like me and love learning about the history of important cities, then a Casco Viejo guided tour is a must! As mentioned above, I did a full-day guided tour that visited many attractions and included an in-depth walk of Casco Viejo, a visit to Ancon Hill, and a short stop at the Amador Causeway. On the old city part of the tour, we dove deep into the history, visited a famous coffee show, and learned so much that we were actually very impressed. Without a doubt, I think that a guided tour is the way to go.

At Tao Travel 365 we strongly believe in eco-friendly travel and strive to support the environment as well as the local population where we conduct our tours. Read more on our philosophies in About Us. In line with our eco-friendly travel philosophy we only offer tours in exotic locations, away from mass-tourism and the immense carbon footprint. We are nature enthusiasts and enjoy breathing clean air, swimming in unpolluted waters and observing healthy wildlife in its original setting. We have greatly enjoyed all the adventures we are offering and are excited to share them with you.

The Guna Yala (also known as Kuna Indians) are the indigenous people of the San Blas Islands. Originally occupying the border of Panama and Colombia, (when Panama was part of Colombia), the Kuna Indians began settling in the San Blas Archipelago around 1800. No tourists were allowed to the region until the 1940s, as the Kuna Indians operated an autonomous state separate from Panama. The Kuna have kept many of their cultural traditions intact, which are still thriving today. They originally wore few clothes and decorated their bodies with bright, colorful designs, but after Europeans arrived, the Kuna began making and wearing intricately woven molas, which are still present today. Travelers are now allowed to visit, and each island family works with local operators and each other to ensure guests have the best experience on a visit to the islands.

While there are many snorkeling options in the greater Cancun area, few are more unique or more breathtaking than snorkeling in Tulum in the waters of Yal Ku as well as the cenotes in the area. These beautiful, naturally-occurring bodies of water are found inland, tucked away from the currents of the sea. Unique in their geology and dazzling in their array of marine life, Yal Ku Lagoon and the cenotes near Tulum offer a truly one-of-a-kind swimming experience. On our Cenotes Tulum tour, you’ll get the opportunity to explore the popular cenotes near Tulum firsthand with state-of-the-art safety equipment and the expert guidance of our tour leaders. We’ll show you some of the most incredible and easily-navigable Cancun underwater caves while ensuring your safety at every step. We’ll also visit Yal Ku Lagoon, a large, shallow cenote famous for its marine inhabitants—including sea turtles, tropical fish, and more!

Although it’s not on most travelers’ itineraries, Punta Chame is home to one of the nicest beaches in Panama and it’s also the best place for kiteboarding in the country. Set on a peninsula jutting out into the Pacific Ocean, this area is literally all about the beach. The endless stretch of beach here is wide, and the water is warm and shallow, giving kiters who are learning the distinct advantage of being able to stand up in the water to collect themselves as they work with their kite. The winds are side on shore and quite consistent from December to April, which is Panama’s dry season. Several kite schools offer lessons, including Machete Kite and Kitesurf Panama, located at opposite ends of the beach.

Coral Lodge, featured in Conde Nast’s Hot Hotel list, on the coast near San Blas, is the upscale lodging option with handsomely appointed individual water villas each with a jacuzzi, gorgeous views and excellent cuisine. It was rated by Conde Nast as having the “best view from the tub”. Coral lodge has Tahiti-style cabins over the sea with wrap around decks, an indoor jacuzzis and an excellent onsite restaurant. From there you can take day trips to the islands. Nearby trips include boat rides to a pristine island to sunbath and snorkel (which you’ll most probably have all to yourself) a boat trip to snorkel at the famous sunken ship site and a tour of an island Guna indian village. In Guna Yala, lunch and dinner will be freshly caught seafood- lobsters and delectable fish- bring something else if you’re not a seafood fan. Read more information at https://www.taotravel365.com/.