There’s a corner of the San Blas archipelago that most travelers never reach. A place where the water turns colors you wouldn’t think were real, where the reefs are so alive they hum with activity, and where the only sounds are the sea, the wind, and the occasional call of a bird passing overhead. That place is the Dutch Cays, or Cayos Holandeses, and if you’re dreaming of an escape that feels genuinely off the beaten path, this is it.
At Panama San Blas Tours, we’ve been bringing travelers to islands for years through our San Blas Tours, and the Dutch Cays remain, without question, the area that leaves the deepest impression. Here’s everything you need to know about the Dutch Cays in San Blas before you visit! And if you have any questions about our tours as you read, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
What Are the Cayos Holandeses (Dutch Cays)?
The Dutch Cays are a small sub-archipelago nestled in the easternmost part of the Guna Yala territory, Panama’s indigenous Caribbean region, sitting very close to the maritime border with Colombia. They are, by almost every measure, the most remote and pristine part of the entire San Blas Islands.
The color of the water is a glowing turquoise near the shore, changing to a rich, deep blue as the ocean floor drops away. The islands themselves are tiny, low-lying, and ringed with white sand beaches that show no signs of development. There are no hotels, no bars, no Wi-Fi, and no docks, just a handful of rustic cabins run by Guna families with limited electricity.
Here, you’ll experience an overwhelming sense of having stepped away from the modern world entirely. It’s the kind of place that makes you realize how rarely we actually switch off, and how good it feels when we do.
Why Are They Called the Dutch Cays?
The name Cayos Holandeses, or Dutch Cays, has a history that goes back four centuries, to a time when the Caribbean was one of the world’s most contested and trafficked maritime regions.
In the 17th century, the waters off San Blas were frequented by pirates, privateers, and traders, primarily from England and the Netherlands, who used these routes to move between the Atlantic and South America. The Guna people, the ancestral inhabitants of this territory, had regular contact with these sailors, often through trade.
The Dutch, in particular, returned to this specific cluster of islets again and again. The remoteness that we celebrate today was exactly what made it useful to them: a sheltered place to repair ships, resupply with fresh water, and conduct informal trade with the Guna communities onshore. Over time, the islets became so associated with Dutch presence that the name simply stuck.
How Do You Get to the Dutch Cays?
Getting to the Dutch Cays is an adventure in itself, though far more accessible than most people expect.
The journey begins in Panama City, where a 4×4 vehicle takes you through the mountains and jungle to the port of Tupile, a drive of roughly two and a half to three and a half hours. Along the way, you’ll pass through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Panama, and cross into the Guna Yala territory, where registration is required upon entry. From Tupile, a speedboat ride of approximately two hours carries you out to the Dutch Cays, with travel time varying depending on sea conditions.Because of this, the Dutch Cays aren’t a simple day trip from Panama City, and a visit works best as part of a multi-day itinerary. Our Cayos Holandeses San Blas Adventure is designed with exactly this in mind, ensuring you get to experience the islands at a pace that does them justice.
Why Is Snorkeling in the Dutch Cays So Special?
The reefs surrounding the Dutch Cays are widely considered the healthiest and most spectacular in all of San Blas, and it’s not hard to understand why: the seclusion that keeps the crowds away also keeps the ecosystem intact!
Visibility in the water is exceptional. Below the surface, you’ll find living corals in vivid formation, tropical fish darting through the reef, rays gliding across the sandy floor, and starfish scattered like decorations across the seabed. It feels less like snorkeling and more like discovering a new world.
Don’t Miss The WWII Pipe: A Historical Relic in the Middle of Dutch Cays
One of the most surprising — and photogenic — spots in the Dutch Cays has nothing to do with sand or palm trees. Rising from the shallow water near one of the islets is a massive metal pipe that dates back to World War II.
During the war, this pipe formed part of military or maritime logistical infrastructure. At some point, it fell into the ocean, settled into the shallow sandy floor, and stayed there. Over the course of more than 80 years, the sea has slowly absorbed it: algae, sponges, and small corals have colonised the metal surface, turning this relic of wartime into something that feels closer to natural sculpture than industrial ruin.
Discover the Dutch Cays with Panama San Blas Tours
If you’re the kind of traveler who wants genuinely remote, unspoiled, and memorable journeys, the Dutch Cays is the perfect trip. These islands are for people who really want to go beyond the tourist trail and reconnect with nature’s wonders.
And we’d love to take you there. Learn more about our Cayos Holandeses San Blas Adventure or get in touch with any questions. We’re always happy to help you plan the right trip.
