Tips for Visiting San Blas in Panama

With over 350 islands in the Caribbean Sea, many say that a trip to Panama is not complete without a visit to San Blas (also known as Guna Yala). Rather than boutique hotels and shops, you’ll find simplicity and natural beauty here.

San Blas is surrounded by crystal clear water and stretches of sandy beaches, with small huts for shelter. It’s the perfect place to get away from daily stresses and get back in touch with all that nature has to offer.

Here are some tips to help when visiting San Blas in Panama!

Getting There

To get to San Blas, you have four options; you can fly from Panama straight to the islands, take a sailboat from Cartagena, take a speedboat from Capurgana, or take the bus from Panama City. The two most popular options are to travel from Cartagena or Panama.

There are over 50 sailboats that will take you to San Blas. If you decide to do this, the average trips last about 5 days (2 days spent sailing).

The waters can be extremely rough when sailing due to the wind. You will also spend less time on the islands because of the days of travel. Keep this in mind when booking! Plan out an itinerary and how many days you want to experience the islands.

I went for a day trip and felt that my time was too short, so I would recommend at least a 1 or 2-night trip.

Know Before You Go

San Blas isn’t your typical vacation spot. Electricity is limited and often times you’ll find that the only light source is the night sky.

Be prepared to live off the land. Many of the locals catch fresh food on a daily basis, especially lobster. If you’re one to snorkel, San Blas is the spot for you.

Underneath the surface of the water, you’ll find colorful reef and plenty of sea life.

When to Go

Much like many other tropical spots, spring and summer are the best seasons to visit. December to March is considered the windy season.

This means rocky water and a rocky boat ride between the islands. The islands are surrounded by calm waters due to the reef.

From April to November, you’ll experience sunny skies and warm water perfect for swimming.

Where to Stay

There’s a good chance that the lodging you find is going to be extremely simple as this region is a bit more remote and doesn’t accommodate hoards of tourists (this is a good thing!). Many of the hotels include a bed, a toilet, a sink, and that’s about it.

You can find both hotels and Airbnbs for as low as $30 USD a night. Just keep in mind that it might be a simple accommodation experience, so go into it with an open mind.

Check Out the Sea Stars

As you explore the islands, you will find starfish everywhere. While they are beautiful, there’s some etiquette to keep in mind when handling them.

First and foremost, please wear reef-safe sunscreen. There are tons of chemicals in generic sunscreen, and we want to keep our oceans clean and their critters healthy!

Absolutely do NOT lift them out of the water. The ocean is their home. As I’ve gotten more educated on the sensitivities of sea stars, I wish I had not even touched them in the first place. I encourage you to refrain from touching them. However, if you decide to pick one up, please leave it entirely under the sea and put it back exactly where you found it.

They’re such delicate creatures and serious damage can be done if you’re not careful.

Getting pictures can be tricky so if you are looking to take some like the one I shot above, you’ll need a GoPro and a camera dome. It makes the process easier!

Overall

If you’re looking for a vacation spot that’s off the beaten path (we’re talking, not even on Google Maps), then San Blas is the place for you. With crystal clear water, delicious seafood, and a tribe of people who are fiercely passionate about their culture, San Blas is a great travel destination.

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Fall Style Essentials from Backcountry

After stocking up on summer adventure essentials at Backcountry, I’ve started stocking up on comfortable and stylish fall outfits and accessories for the upcoming months!

Backcountry’s selection of fall style, apparel & essentials are perfect for the moments in between your outdoor adventures—think chunky cardigans, wide brim hats, stretchy (and flattering) pants, leggings, scarves, and more!

Whether you’re planning an outdoor adventure, or looking for some comfy and stylish apparel to rock around town, Backcountry is the perfect place to start your search!

** Save 15% at checkout with discount code ‘KIKI15’ on Backcountry! **

Stylish + Comfortable Sweaters

Heavy Jackets

Bottoms

Purses + Backpacks

Sunglasses

Shop My Outfit: Top | Pants | Cardigan | Sunglasses

Another thing I love about Backcountry is that they have a dedicated customer service team of “Gearheads”. They have extensive experience in the outdoors, and are not intimidating about it, so whether you are a backpacking expert or buying your first pair of hiking boots or yoga pants, they can help you with any questions you may have!

 

Check out more fall style essentials on Backcountry.com and get 15% off your order by using the code “KIKI15” at checkout!

 

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The Ultimate Guide to Traveling By Train in France

Train travel in France is an easy, affordable, and sustainable way to get around and see all that the county has to offer. There are over 1700 kilometers of high-speed train lines all over France.

One of the best parts about traveling by train is the fact that there are stations in almost every city rather than only near the airports. Whether you want to go to Paris, Bordeaux, Nice, Avignon, St. Émilion, or even Disneyland Paris, there’s a train you can catch.

Especially if you don’t speak French, the process of traveling by train can be a bit confusing (more on my tragic personal experience below).

To avoid any issues, read on for the ultimate guide to traveling by train in France!

Where to Buy Tickets + Train Prices

One of the best ways to see all of your options is to check online ahead of time. You can see all of your choices (duration, price, etc.) online at SNCF.

As surprising as it seems, trains can and do fill up ahead of time depending on the destination. Book early to help you plan out your trips and ensure that you’ll have a ticket when the time comes. This is especially essential if you’re traveling in high seasons like summer.

If you do decide to book last minute, you can quickly get tickets at the train stations no matter what language you speak.

Pricing all depends on the trip itself though many tickets start as low as €8 (about USD $10) for short trips. For exact pricing, you can go to the tickets and booking portal.

First Class vs. Second Class

I usually lean towards comfortable travel vs saving on price– especially when I’m traveling solo. For such a small price difference, you get a big difference in comfort when riding in 1st class on trains in France.

When traveling solo, you can book single window seats online– which I love!

First class usually also has a power outlet, large reclining seats, laptop sized foldable tables, free WiFi (depending on the route), a snack cart (with food available for purchase), luggage racks, and toilets.

Helpful Tip: First class tickets are assigned specific seat numbers, so be sure to look on your ticket for the carriage number and seat number that you are assigned.

Second class tickets are less expensive, obviously, but they aren’t a huge downgrade. There is just less space and fewer comforts.

Validate Your Ticket

It might seem straightforward once you’ve booked your tickets and you are ready to go but here are some tips that will help ensure you catch your train without any hiccups.

Before you head out, make sure to validate your ticket at one of the bright yellow machines inside of every station. Failure to do so will result in a fine. Although, I have read that if you do happen to forget and you ask for validation on board, there’s a good chance they’ll do so (though they might charge a small fee).

I never had any issues with validation, so as long as you keep your ticket on you so you can show it to the train attendant when they come through to check.

How to Find Your Train

Once you are at the train station, keep an eye out for your train platform. Your train platform will NOT be on your ticket. The platform is posted about 20 minutes before departure.

Another vital tip– do not look for your destination on the departures list. The trains are listed by number and where they terminate. Instead, look for your train number and be aware that some trains make multiple stops may terminate at a different destination.

I missed my train to Avignon because I was looking for Avignon as the train destination. Had I been looking for my train number, I would have seen that it was a train terminating in Paris (Avignon not listed). So I ended up on a regional train that took 2 hours instead of 30 minutes.

Last, but not least, my final tip is to enjoy yourself. Did you know that having a picnic during a train ride is a bit of a French tradition? Pack a baguette, some cheese and a single serving bottle of wine. I can’t think of many things better than snacking on delicious food as the French scenery glides by!

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Top Sailing Destinations in Sicily

It’s very easy to fall under Sicily’s spell. With olive strewn landscapes, ancient temples, and timeless cuisines, it’s no wonder that it’s one of the most beautiful spots in the Mediterranean. What better way to see it than to hop on a boat and sail the coast.

I visited Sicily with the Yacht Week Italy, where we sailed to 6 jaw-dropping destinations and explored everything that Sicily had to offer.

Here is my itinerary and the top sailing destinations in Sicily!

Day 1: Portorosa

Portorosa is the marina where the sailing week begins. It’s about 150 km away from the Catania Airport and getting there is relatively easy with options like a taxi or bus.

Before setting sail, enjoy some Italian sorbet and soak in the sun because you are about to embark on one remarkable journey.

Day 2: Salina

Unlike Lipari, Salina is often quieter and much greener due to it being the only island with a natural water source. The contrast of the lush landscape and the plunging coastal cliffs is unbelievably picture-worthy.

It’s the ideal spot to explore by foot, do some serious shopping, and eat and drink authentic Italian food and wine. Just be sure to order a meal with capers as they are essential to much of the local cuisine.

Some of Sicily’s best grapes are grown on Salina, so buy a bottle or join a tasting tour to one of the vineyards on the island.

Day 3: Panarea

This exclusive and expensive island is the smallest of the Aeolians. With jasmine, bougainvillea, small white villages, and car-free streets, it’s unlike any other island you will come across. It’s a summer-only destination with very little activity happening outside of the summer months. In fact, if you show up between November to April, you’ll find that most places close seasonally.

On the tour, it will be the perfect spot to get away from life for a bit and enjoy the natural beauty of the island.

Day 4: Stromboli

Want to see a real-life volcano explosion? Then Stromboli is the spot for you. Most famous for its nighttime eruptions, it coined the nickname the “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean.” In fact, it’s been erupting continuously for two thousand years. You can take a guided hike up to the top at sunset. Just be warned– it’s hot!

Famous film-makers and style-setters, like Dolce and Gabbana, own villas to spend holidays there, and tourists from all around the world visit to see the dramatic Aeolian island. If you’ve got the time, be sure to watch the sunset and keep an eye out for the Sciara del Fuoco, where the lava flows into the sea.

Day 5: Lipari

Out of all the islands you will visit, Lipari is the largest and most populated yet it somehow still feels untouched and preserved. You will be able to experience the small town feel all while having plenty of restaurants, museums, bars, hotels, and shops to visit. It’s colorful seafront and busy little port makes it the most convenient base for island hopping.

If you’ve got the time, the eastern coast of the island offers old pumice quarries. The bright white stone gives the sea a very vibrant turquoise color, making for a swim you won’t forget.

While on Lipari, visit Quattrochi. It’s a short scooter ride out of Lipari town or an hours hike. From the lookout, you can see endless blue sea and smoke rising from the neighboring island, Vulcano. It’s a picture perfect view!

Day 6: Vulcano

Vulcano is the closest island to Sicily, and its name stems from Hephaestus, the God of Fire. Fitting right? When you first approach the island, you’ll immediately see the plumes of smoke rising from the sunset. However, there’s so much more to this island than its famous volcanic black sand beach.

Take a cooking class or visit a local goat cheese farm for a taste of local culture.

Porto Levante is a local mud pool known for its mineral-rich mud. Despite the strong smell of sulfur, the mud has healing properties for the skin. And don’t forget to stop by the hot springs, they’re a truly sacred hot-spot.

Day 7: Portorosa

On the last day, you will sail back to Portorosa to disembark the yacht!

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