I still remember the exact moment I took that photo. We’d just dropped anchor near one of the tiniest, most perfect islands I’d ever seen — just a handful of palm trees, some white sand, and the kind of silence you don’t realize your soul is craving until you find it.
That picture ended up becoming the cover of this notebook. And behind it lies one of the wildest, most beautiful adventures I’ve ever had.
Buying a Boat in Spain (Yep, That Happened)
A few years ago, I bought a sailboat in Spain. That sentence still feels surreal. I wasn’t some seasoned sailor. I was someone with a dream, a willingness to learn, and a healthy amount of “what’s the worst that could happen?”
From Spain, we slowly made our way across the Atlantic. It was a mix of magic and mayhem: dolphins chasing the bow, seeing the Milky Way and shooting stars almost every night, but also sleepless nights, more seasickness than I’d like to admit, and boat parts breaking at the most unfortunate times.
Eventually, after sailing all around the Caribbean, we found ourselves in Panama. And that’s when we discovered the San Blas Islands.
Why the San Blas Islands Feel Like a Dream
Imagine a string of tiny islands, many so small they don’t even have names.
No roads, no big resorts, no crowds. Just warm turquoise water, white sand, coconut palms, and an incredibly welcoming local community, the Guna Yala people, who have protected these islands and their culture for generations.
We spent weeks sailing through this paradise, sometimes anchoring off an island with only one family living on it, other times finding ourselves completely alone with just the sound of waves and wind.
I could write pages about how special it felt to live that simply, to spend every day snorkeling, reading, stargazing, and soaking in just how quiet life can be when it’s stripped of all noise.
That cover photo? It’s from one of those days.
But You Don’t Need Your Own Boat to Get Here
Don’t worry, you don’t have to buy a boat and sail across an ocean to experience this.
There are several ways to explore the San Blas Islands:
🛥️ Book a Sailing Trip
You can join a multi-day sailing tour with pick-up from Panama City. This way you’ll get to visit several of the beautiful San Blas Islands, spend time swimming and snorkeling, and you’ll get to experience what it’s like to live on a sailboat.
🚐 Day Trips or Overnight Excursions
From Panama City, it’s a few hours by 4×4 to the coast, followed by a boat ride out to the islands.
You can book a day trip or choose to stay overnight in rustic beach cabins or eco-lodges run by local families.
If you have the time and budget, I HIGHLY recommend booking a multi-day trip. Not only is it a unique experience to spend a night or two in a beach hut on one of the islands, but these multi-day trips also tend to take you to lesser-visited islands.
💡 Keep in Mind
The San Blas Islands are remote — and that’s the beauty of them. Wi-Fi is scarce, accommodations are basic, and you’ll need to bring cash.
Respect local customs. The Guna people govern the area and your visit supports their way of life.
A Notebook, A Photo, A Reminder
I wanted this notebook to be more than just paper. I wanted it to hold dreams, plans, spontaneous thoughts… and maybe, just maybe, nudge you a little closer to your next adventure.
That photo on the cover isn’t stock. It’s personal. It’s a reminder of what can happen when you say yes to something wild and uncertain.
Maybe one day you’ll write your own San Blas story in these pages.
Until then — dream big, wander far, and never underestimate what a crazy idea might turn into.
If you haven’t bought the notebook yet, or want to buy another one, you can buy it here on Amazon.
Also Read:
- Bucket List Destinations for a Once in a Lifetime Trip
- How to Travel Off the Beaten Path
- Travel Planning: How to Plan a Perfect Trip
- 10 of the Best Reasons to Travel
- Where to Travel Next? 5 Photos to Spark Your Wanderlust
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