About the Naranjo Chico Island day trip in San Blas, Panama
Naranjo Chico, also known as Narasgandup Bipi, is a small Caribbean island with white sand around much of its shoreline. It is part of the San Blas Islands in Guna Yala, Panama’s autonomous Indigenous territory on the Caribbean coast.
Sea San Blas is 100% Guna-owned and has run trips in Guna Yala for more than 20 years. Your trip pays local captains, cooks and island hosts directly. We are also family-run, and we coordinate your transport and island arrangements so you know how the day fits together. On Naranjo Chico, your hosts are the island’s family.
The island offers a simple, beach-focused setting shaped by the sea and the surrounding islands. It is the planned lunch stop after a morning visiting other islands and the Natural Pool, so you see several places during the day rather than spend it all on Naranjo Chico. Lunch options are fresh seafood, the catch of the day, fish or chicken, served with rice, fries, salad and fruit. Vegetarian and other diet options are available; ask the island team when you arrive. There are shared bathrooms on the island, where you can also change. This is our least crowded day trip, so you share the islands with fewer visitors than on any of our other routes. Follow the island team’s guidance, respect local rules and ask before photographing people.
Who it suits
Travellers ready for a full day with an early departure, road travel and shared boat transfers. Children can join at youth (ages 5–9) and toddler (ages 0–4) rates.
Naranjo Chico Island day trip itinerary & logistics.
Early morning · Getting there
Panama City to the port
Pickup, a stop before the mountain road and the regional entry checkpoint on the way to the port.
- 5:00 – 5:20 AM
- Pickup at your hotel, Airbnb or confirmed location in Panama City
- 5:30 AM
- Departure from Panama City by shared 4x4 SUV
- 6:30 AM
- Petrol station stop before the mountain road, with breakfast and snacks to buyNot included
- 7:15 – 7:30 AM
- Regional entry checkpoint: show your passport and pay the Guna Border Fee in cash
- 8:00 – 8:45 AM
- Arrival at the port, then the shared boat transfer
This itinerary is tentative. Times and stops may change without notice, and activities may not happen in the order shown, due to local Guna logistics, weather or sea conditions. The shared boat’s departure depends on the group’s arrival and local coordination.
Morning to afternoon · On the islands
Island hopping and lunch on Naranjo Chico
Anmardub Island, the Natural Pool and Isla Estrella, then lunch and beach time on Naranjo Chico.
- ~9:45 AM
- Welcome at Anmardub Island: white-sand beaches and clear water
- 10:30 AM
- Natural Pool: time in the water, and starfish may be visible depending on conditions
- 11:00 AM
- Isla Estrella: explore the island and photograph the scenery
- 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Lunch on Naranjo Chico: fresh seafood, fish or chicken, with one drink (water, juice or soda)Included
- 12:30 – 3:00 PM
- Beach and free time on Naranjo Chico
Expect sudden weather changes during the trip.
Afternoon · Heading back
Back to Panama City
The return boat transfer to the port, then the 4x4 SUV back to Panama City.
- 3:00 PM
- Return boat transfer from the islands to the port
- 3:30 PM
- Arrival back at the port
- 3:30 – 4:00 PM
- Shared 4x4 SUV leaves the port for Panama City
- 7:00 – 7:30 PM
- Estimated drop-off in Panama City
Arrival time back to Panama City will vary due to traffic and weather. Our round-trip transport takes you back to your hotel, Airbnb or hostel in Panama City. We can also drop you off at Tocumen International Airport, Albrook Airport or Albrook Bus Terminal at no extra cost. Inform us before you leave the islands so we can arrange it. *Pickups and drop-offs at the Westin Playa Bonita or Dreams Playa Bonita cost an extra — per person, payable when you book.
What’s included.
Included
- Shared round-trip 4x4 SUV transport from Panama City
- Shared round-trip boat transfers
- Assistance from a local guide who speaks Spanish and very basic English
- Planned visits to two or three islands, depending on local arrangements
- Natural Pool visit
- Admission fees for the included island visits, separate from the Guna Border Fee
- Lunch with one drink: water, juice or soda
- Snorkelling masks and snorkels (no fins)
- Life jackets, including child sizes
Not included
- Guna Border Fee, paid in cash at the passport checkpoint: $22 for foreign visitors, $7 for Panama residents, free for ages 0–9
- Breakfast or snacks bought at the morning stop
- Drinking water beyond the one drink included with lunch
- Alcohol: you can bring your own
- Beach towels
- Soap, toiletries and other personal-use items
- Personal purchases, such as souvenirs and additional drinks
Before you go.
How much does the Naranjo Chico Island day trip cost?
Prices are per person in your selected currency: — per adult (ages 10+), — per youth (ages 5–9) and — per toddler (ages 0–4). Choose the correct age category for each traveller when you book. The price includes shared round-trip 4x4 SUV and boat transport, the planned island visits, island admission fees and lunch with one drink.
Can I add extras or add-ons after I book?
All extras and add-ons must be selected and paid for when you book. Once the day of your trip arrives, you can’t add or request any extras or add-ons.
Where can I be picked up and dropped off?
We pick you up and drop you off at hotels, hostels and Airbnbs in and around Panama City. When you book, search for your pickup location and the booking system will tell you whether it’s inside our pickup area. Pickups from the Westin Playa Bonita or Dreams Playa Bonita cost an extra — per person. You can change your pickup location up to 24 hours before your trip; changes on the morning of the trip aren’t possible. After your trip, we can also drop you off at Tocumen International Airport, Albrook Airport or Albrook Bus Terminal at no extra cost. Just let us know when you leave the islands so we can arrange it.
What should I bring?
Here’s what to pack for the day. There are no ATMs on the islands, so bring enough cash in US dollars.
- Original passport
- Cash for the Guna Border Fee
- Cash for souvenirs
- Drinking water
- Snacks and any additional personal drinks
- Beach towel and beach accessories
- Camera
- Dry bag or waterproof backpack
- Sunscreen and after-sun care
- Sunglasses and a hat
- Dry clothes to change back into
- Good vibes
Can I buy drinks and snacks on the islands?
Yes. Water, soft drinks, beer and snacks are for sale on the islands. There are no ATMs, so bring cash in USD.
Can I bring my own alcohol, drinks and snacks?
Yes. You’re welcome to bring your own alcohol, drinks and snacks on the day trip.
What drinks are included with meals?
Lunch comes with 1 drink: water, juice or soda. If you’d like more, you can buy extra drinks on the islands.
Are there vegetarian or vegan options?
Yes. Island staff can prepare eggs with other foods such as rice, beans, potatoes, fries, salads and fruit, among other options. What’s available varies from island to island, so tell the staff your requests when you arrive. There are no vegetarian protein options such as tofu or soy products. Vegans can have a double portion of the sides, such as rice, beans and salad, in place of the chicken, meat or fish. We recommend that vegetarians and vegans bring their own snacks, food and drinks to have during and between meals.
Is there Wi-Fi or phone signal on the islands?
Wi-Fi is generally unavailable on day trips because of the constant island hopping, and phone signal is very weak.
Will I see starfish at the natural pool?
Starfish are usually around the natural pool, but they won’t always be there, so sightings aren’t guaranteed.
Cancellation & Refunds
You may cancel your trip at any time. For customer cancellations, you receive a 90% refund when you cancel 5 or more calendar days before your trip starts, a 50% refund when you cancel 3 or 4 calendar days before, and no refund when you cancel 2 or fewer calendar days before. We count Panama calendar dates; refund tiers change at midnight in Panama. Sea San Blas may consider an exception for a verified emergency; exceptions are not guaranteed. All payments are processed securely on our website or via bank transfer.
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.
- Toddlers must sit on an accompanying adult’s lap during all ground and boat transportation.
- Travellers ages 0–9 do not pay the Guna Border Fee. Travellers ages 10 and older 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 Guna Border Fee and personal purchases.
Traveller suitability
This trip is not wheelchair accessible. It is not recommended for pregnant travellers, people with back or hip problems, or anyone with a serious pre-existing medical condition.
