Franklin Island Overnight Tour from Panama City
Festive Island
Group Friendly
Young Couples
No Kids
Vegetarian
Product Support ID: 9304145 & 2951650
Franklin Island, also known as Tubasenika, is a social San Blas overnight stay for solo travellers, digital nomads, and small groups. Choose a shared or private cabin, travel from Panama City with included 4x4 and boat transport, and spend one or more nights in a relaxed island setting.
From $180 per person for one night in the Group Cabin. Stays of two nights or more start at $120 per person, per night.
Franklin Island at a Glance
- Social overnight stay on Franklin Island (Tubasenika), San Blas
- Group Cabins typically sleep 6-8 guests; Private Cabins typically sleep 2-4
- Both cabin types accept solo bookings
- Public bathrooms are shared by island guests; cabins do not have private bathrooms
- Round-trip shared 4x4 and boat transportation from Panama City
- Meals during the island stay, with one beverage per meal and a vegetarian option
- Optional excursions cost $25 per person each and must be selected during booking
- Optional late departure costs $35, includes lunch, and must be selected during booking
About Franklin Island | San Blas, Panama
Music, shared meals, swimming, and time around the dock shape Franklin Island's friendly daily rhythm. Between scheduled meals, guests can spend unstructured time at the beach or around the island facilities.
Franklin Island Pricing:
Prices are per person. The 2+ Nights rate is charged per person, per night.
Group Cabin:
A shared, community-style cabin that typically sleeps 6-8 guests.
- Solo bookings accepted
- Public shared bathrooms
1 Night
— $180 per night
2+ Nights — $120 per night
Private Cabin:
Private accommodation that typically sleeps 2-4 guests.
- Solo bookings accepted
- Public shared bathrooms
1 Night
— $200
2+ Nights — $140 per night
Franklin Island Accommodations
Franklin Island offers two accommodation styles: a shared Group Cabin for travellers who enjoy a social setting and a Private Cabin for those who prefer their own sleeping space. Both options accept solo bookings and use public shared bathrooms located outside the cabins.
Group Cabin
Group Cabins provide shared, community-style accommodation and typically sleep 6-8 guests. Solo travelers may book this option. All guests use public shared bathrooms located outside the cabins.
Private Cabin
Private Cabins typically sleep 2-4 guests and may be reserved by one traveller. Franklin Island is one of the few islands in the area offering private cabins to solo travellers. Bathrooms are public, shared among island guests, and located outside the cabins.
Tentative Franklin Island Itinerary & Logistics
Arrival Day (Panama City → Port → Franklin Island)
Times are approximate. Exact excursion options and departure times can vary with weather and local island logistics.
- Pickup: 5:00 AM – 5:20 AM
- Depart Panama City: ~5:30 AM
- Breakfast stop (Not Included): ~6:30 AM
- Passport verification: 7:15 AM - 7:30 AM
- Arrive at the port: 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM (boat transportation is included)
- Arrive to Franklin Island: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
- Settle in & start enjoying Franklin Island: 10:30 AM – 11:50 AM
- Lunch: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
- Afternoon: one-night guests may join a purchased excursion; guests staying two nights or more have free time on Franklin Island
- Dinner:
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Full Days (For trips of 2 nights or more)
There is no fixed daily schedule. Your full day is designed around the following meal times:
- Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Dinner: 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Between meals: Enjoy free time at the beach and around the facilities on Franklin Island. If you booked an excursion, the local staff will confirm its departure time on the island. Times can vary from day to day and cannot be confirmed exactly in advance.
Final Day (Return to Panama City)
- Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
- Departure from Franklin Island: 8:15 a.m.
- Arrival at the port: approximately 9:00 a.m.
- Estimated arrival in Panama City:
12:00 p.m. to
1:00 p.m.
Final Day (Late Checkout Option)
The late-departure option costs $35 and includes lunch. It must be paid while making the booking. Requests made after island arrival cannot be guaranteed.
- Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
- Vacate the cabin for cleaning: 9:00 a.m.
- Free time on Franklin Island: 9:10 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.
- Lunch: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.; included with the late-departure add-on
- Continue enjoying Franklin Island: 1:10 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
- Departure from Franklin Island: 3:00 p.m.
- Arrival at the port: approximately 3:45 p.m.
- Estimated arrival in Panama City:
7:00 p.m. to
7:30 p.m.
Passport, Transport, and Border Requirements
- Bring your original passport. Entry is not permitted without it, and photocopies are not accepted.
- Shared transportation is used for all customers; it is not private.
- Adults must pay it in cash: $22 for foreign visitors or $7 for Panama residents.
- Breakfast at the morning stop is optional, not included, and paid separately if you choose it.
- There are no ATMs on the islands, so bring enough cash for the border fee and personal purchases.
Traveler Suitability
This trip is not wheelchair accessible. It is not recommended for pregnant travelers, people with back or hip problems, or anyone with a serious pre-existing medical condition.
Franklin Island Amenities
Included & Excluded
What To Bring
Optional Excursions
Excursions cost $25 per person, per excursion and are selected during booking. A one-night stay allows one excursion, a two-night stay allows up to two, and a stay of three or more nights stay allows a total of up to three excursions.
Typical excursion activities include visiting nearby islands, a natural pool, and snorkeling. Exact names and further details are provided on Franklin Island, and available options may vary with weather and local logistics.
Suggested Destinations
Padar Island
Komodo Island
Cancellation & Refunds
You may cancel your trip at any time. Refunds follow three simple rules. You receive a 90% refund when you cancel more than 5 days before your trip because local permits and fees are non refundable once issued. You receive a 50% refund when you cancel between 2 and 5 days before your trip. You receive no refund when you cancel less than 2 days before your trip. All payments are processed securely on our website or via bank transfer. View our refund policy.
Franklin Island - Frequently Asked Questions
Choose your cabin, number of nights, excursions, and departure option, then complete your booking now. Select paid add-ons while booking, as requests made after arrival may not be available. Book Now!
Is Franklin Island suitable for solo travelers?
Yes. Both Group Cabins and Private Cabins accept solo bookings. Franklin Island has a social atmosphere, and it is one of the few islands in the area where one traveller can reserve a Private Cabin.
What accommodation is available on Franklin Island?
Group Cabins typically sleep 6-8 guests, while Private Cabins typically sleep 2-4. Every cabin uses public shared bathrooms; there are no private bathrooms inside the cabins.
Are the 4x4 and boat transfers included?
Yes. The price includes round-trip shared 4x4 transportation from Panama City and round-trip boat transportation between the port and Franklin Island.
Are meals included during the stay?
Yes. Meals on Franklin Island are included according to the itinerary, along with one juice, soda, or water per meal. Fresh fish and vegetarian meal options are available. Bring additional drinking water.
Is breakfast during the drive included?
No. The approximately 6:30 a.m. roadside breakfast stop is optional, and customers may purchase food there if they wish.
How much do Franklin Island excursions cost?
Each excursion costs $25 per person. One-night stays allow one excursion, two-night stays allow up to two, and three-night stays allow up to three. Exact excursion names and details are confirmed on the island.
How does the late-departure option work?
Late departure costs $35, includes lunch, and departs Franklin Island at 3:00 p.m. It must be paid while making the booking. Requests made after arrival cannot be guaranteed.
What time do guests return to Panama City?
Standard departure normally reaches Panama City between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. The paid late-departure option normally returns between 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Is the Guna Yala Border Fee included?
No. The Guna Yala Border Fee is $22 for foreigners and $7 for Panama residents and is not included in the trip price.
Can I book franklin island with kids?
No franklin is a social adult only island experience. Kids are not allowed on this island.
