Isla Chichime
Isla Chichime
4.5
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4.5
58 reviews
Excellent
34
Very good
13
Average
5
Poor
5
Terrible
1
mmuntner
New York City, NY142 contributions
I booked on Airbnb. CHICHIME ISLAND is also known as WISSUDUB as a heads up. Requested a private cabin, and got one with a floor and private bathroom. The bungalows are open to the environment even with privacy. I do recommend a mosquito net as there weren't any provided. It's possible that at other times during the year they aren't necessary, but in July 2022 they were needed. Rooms were clean, and food was good. We always felt well taken care of. There are some island dogs that are really cute and friendly. On our last day one of the dogs went around saying goodbye to everyone that was leaving.
The beauty of San Blas is otherworldly. Even though I didn't sleep well, the days were amazing and made the whole trip more than worthwhile. On our tour one day we went to a "sunken island" in the ocean where you are standing in one to two feet of water and can see star fish.
I can't speak to other costs but will share my own: 155 a night for two people for two nights was 310, plus 43 in fees for $353. This did not include transportation or the tour for the second day. Transportation pickup and return from hotel was 60 per person for 120. Boat ride to island and return was 50 p/p for 100. Boat tour was 25 p/p so for two was 50. If you are keeping track the costs for the two nights with two people so far was 623. There is also a tax for foreigners entering the Guna Yala (San Blas) territory for 20 p/p, so an additional 40. So, total cost was 663. This doesn't include any drinks or snacks you can purchase on the island but three meals a day are provided.
We didn't have cell service, but some people did. Definitely depends on the provider. Electricity was available a few hours a night.
Anyway, totally worth it. Highly recommend! Once in a lifetime. Crystal Clear Water. Very very cool.
The beauty of San Blas is otherworldly. Even though I didn't sleep well, the days were amazing and made the whole trip more than worthwhile. On our tour one day we went to a "sunken island" in the ocean where you are standing in one to two feet of water and can see star fish.
I can't speak to other costs but will share my own: 155 a night for two people for two nights was 310, plus 43 in fees for $353. This did not include transportation or the tour for the second day. Transportation pickup and return from hotel was 60 per person for 120. Boat ride to island and return was 50 p/p for 100. Boat tour was 25 p/p so for two was 50. If you are keeping track the costs for the two nights with two people so far was 623. There is also a tax for foreigners entering the Guna Yala (San Blas) territory for 20 p/p, so an additional 40. So, total cost was 663. This doesn't include any drinks or snacks you can purchase on the island but three meals a day are provided.
We didn't have cell service, but some people did. Definitely depends on the provider. Electricity was available a few hours a night.
Anyway, totally worth it. Highly recommend! Once in a lifetime. Crystal Clear Water. Very very cool.
Written 17 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
lecso88
12 contributions
Couples
We liked Chichime very much. We were there for new years eve. The Guna family running the island is very friendly and cook excellently.
every drink you buy costs 2 dollars, so it is recommended to bring as much water with you as possible.
The island is very calm and very good for relaxing. And it is not overcrowded like Perro chico or Diablo.
Minus one star because although the family keeps the ground of the resort tidy but as soon as you leave it and you walk two meters further there is very much garbage. If they would spend just one day every year with collecting the garbe it could be so much better.
every drink you buy costs 2 dollars, so it is recommended to bring as much water with you as possible.
The island is very calm and very good for relaxing. And it is not overcrowded like Perro chico or Diablo.
Minus one star because although the family keeps the ground of the resort tidy but as soon as you leave it and you walk two meters further there is very much garbage. If they would spend just one day every year with collecting the garbe it could be so much better.
Written 2 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CARLOS GUTIERREZ
Panama City, Panama26 contributions
during my day tours experiences the people connect in panama city in lobby hotel , two ways all inclusive transportations, guide, boat, breakfast and lunch islands and natural pools i recomend 2021 local guides spaces ready every day whatsapp +50763156191 is the best local guide conection for San Blas Experiences and other kind of tours
Written 21 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sunny
Norman, OK32 contributions
I booked a reservation through Expedia for a private cabin on Chichime Island for 12/29-12/31/2019. I was so excited to go to stay with the Guna Yala. The listing/reservation stated "reserve now, pay later" and the fine print mentioned paying a deposit. It was confusing, but I booked the reservation. Chichime Island, then, sent me an email, instructing me to email them a photocopy of my credit card, ID, and passport, in order to pay a deposit. Expedia always posts warnings not to ever email your credit card information to hosts, so I didn't. Instead, I asked for Expedia's help. They encouraged me to contact Chichime. Chichime emailed me, telling me to pay through Booking.com... which I had no idea of how to do... since I'd reserved through Expedia - not Booking.com. I messaged Chichime again, asking for advice on how to pay the deposit. They instructed me to go to a tour website and pay. The problem is... there wasn't really a clear idea of how I was supposed to pay for my cabin on the tour website (there was no place on the web site that designated payment to reserve cabins). I messaged Chichime, and asked them to confirm that, if I sent money on that tour website, I would receive my private cabin on Chichime that I had reserved (I wanted documentation, in case they took my money, and then, said it wasn't payment for the cabin). Chichime, then, informed me that the private cabin I had reserved was no longer available - even though my Expedia reservation had never been cancelled (it was still listed on my active itineraries)....and they said that, if I came, I would have to stay on a totally different island than I had reserved... one of the islands that had 1.5 star rating and horrible reviews. I was very disappointed and frustrated, as I had planned my whole trip around staying on Chichime....and had counted on it, since I had a reservation... and had, now, missed out on other reservation options.
Here's the *clincher*... while the Chichime people were messaging me that they had no private cabins available on Chichime on those dates... I did a search of those EXACT SAME dates on Expedia... and Expedia still shows that they have private cabins available for those dates!!! I called Expedia to let them know what Chichime is doing to people.... The Expedia representative told me that, if they do not have cabins available, Chichime is able to update the listings to remove the openings online... So, the Chichime are *keeping* openings on Expedia... and taking people's money, via methods outside of Expedia, knowing that they do not have the cabins available. It reeks of dishonesty... Trusting travelers are either: 1) losing money, when the cabin they reserved is not available, or 2) wisely investigating, before sending money via one of those weird methods, only to learn that they wasted time....and lost out on other reservation options.
I would advise you to avoid Chichime Island... It sounds like a scam is going on there... and I'd hate for anyone to go through what I went through - or worse, end up losing money. The only saving grace is that I was extremely careful... and thereby, avoided losing a couple of hundred dollars.
I am soooo glad I had not emailed them my credit card information... and had not paid them money through that tour web site... as I am 99% sure that I would never have seen that money again. BE CAREFUL WHEN DEALING WITH CHICHIME!
Here's the *clincher*... while the Chichime people were messaging me that they had no private cabins available on Chichime on those dates... I did a search of those EXACT SAME dates on Expedia... and Expedia still shows that they have private cabins available for those dates!!! I called Expedia to let them know what Chichime is doing to people.... The Expedia representative told me that, if they do not have cabins available, Chichime is able to update the listings to remove the openings online... So, the Chichime are *keeping* openings on Expedia... and taking people's money, via methods outside of Expedia, knowing that they do not have the cabins available. It reeks of dishonesty... Trusting travelers are either: 1) losing money, when the cabin they reserved is not available, or 2) wisely investigating, before sending money via one of those weird methods, only to learn that they wasted time....and lost out on other reservation options.
I would advise you to avoid Chichime Island... It sounds like a scam is going on there... and I'd hate for anyone to go through what I went through - or worse, end up losing money. The only saving grace is that I was extremely careful... and thereby, avoided losing a couple of hundred dollars.
I am soooo glad I had not emailed them my credit card information... and had not paid them money through that tour web site... as I am 99% sure that I would never have seen that money again. BE CAREFUL WHEN DEALING WITH CHICHIME!
Written 15 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rhea P
12 contributions
Friends
The journey from Panama City to the island was well organized and all right. The Kuna were so much nicer than expected and the food was really good. But you have to bring snacks as breakfast is at 7, lunch at 12 and dinner at 7 and the portions are not huge.
It’s so sad that the island is full of trash and the Kuna burn it which smells bad. The toilets were disgusting and I saw a Kuna using the toilet brush for cleaning the sink. It’s probably lack of education and maybe I should not complain. Not sure how I feel about this.
My bed was quite comfortable but the bed sheets smelled sweaty. There are too few hammocks and I missed beach lies or something like that to relax.
We had one quiet day which was nice but we also had a day where lots of day trip tourists were dropped off drank alcohol and listened to loud party music.
The islands have so much potential but something seems off.
It’s so sad that the island is full of trash and the Kuna burn it which smells bad. The toilets were disgusting and I saw a Kuna using the toilet brush for cleaning the sink. It’s probably lack of education and maybe I should not complain. Not sure how I feel about this.
My bed was quite comfortable but the bed sheets smelled sweaty. There are too few hammocks and I missed beach lies or something like that to relax.
We had one quiet day which was nice but we also had a day where lots of day trip tourists were dropped off drank alcohol and listened to loud party music.
The islands have so much potential but something seems off.
Written 22 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tina Z
Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany11 contributions
Couples
The San Blas islands have every potential to be this picture perfect paradise we all have in our heads. So I was pretty disappointed with my 3 days on Chichime, which is supposed to be one of the best islands. Here is why:
1) trash everywhere on the island and in the ocean. It was really disgusting so that some of us started collecting trash. The kuna seem to have no feeling for how bad that looks.
2) toilet and bathroom were really disgusting and broke (thank god on our last day) and the toilet is directly lead into the ocean
3) the kuna were way nicer than expected but still not very interested and have no feeling for hospitality (which is fine with me)
4) late check-out in our case meant we had to check out our room in the morning anyway, which wasn’t that nice
5) the mosquito nets were really bad, I got stung more than 100 times in the 2 nights
In total, Price seems really high for that not to paradisish place
1) trash everywhere on the island and in the ocean. It was really disgusting so that some of us started collecting trash. The kuna seem to have no feeling for how bad that looks.
2) toilet and bathroom were really disgusting and broke (thank god on our last day) and the toilet is directly lead into the ocean
3) the kuna were way nicer than expected but still not very interested and have no feeling for hospitality (which is fine with me)
4) late check-out in our case meant we had to check out our room in the morning anyway, which wasn’t that nice
5) the mosquito nets were really bad, I got stung more than 100 times in the 2 nights
In total, Price seems really high for that not to paradisish place
Written 22 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marcus M
2 contributions
I love this island, however, it had a few dead fishes washed up ashore. Our guide explained it was due to a seasonal current
Written 13 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mariam s
Paris, France5 contributions
Couples
We stayed in Chichime for two nights. The island is really pretty but very poorly managed.
There are two main parts handled by two groups. You should definitely avoid the one under Aaron's control. Lots of garbage as soon as you leave the main areas, no water to take a shower, a disgusting bathroom area. The "tour" offered was a real joke ...
On top of this, the second night was a real nightmare. A party was organized by the kunas with very loud music making it impossible for us to sleep. We had to ask three times for them to lower the music
It's a shame, the island has so much potential...
There are two main parts handled by two groups. You should definitely avoid the one under Aaron's control. Lots of garbage as soon as you leave the main areas, no water to take a shower, a disgusting bathroom area. The "tour" offered was a real joke ...
On top of this, the second night was a real nightmare. A party was organized by the kunas with very loud music making it impossible for us to sleep. We had to ask three times for them to lower the music
It's a shame, the island has so much potential...
Written 4 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lisa M
Antwerp, Belgium10 contributions
Friends
Having read the reviews, we expected everything to be very primitive, dirty and the food boring. Luckily, our experience was the opposite! We enjoyed our time, had lobster, and everything was punctual and being taken care of. Thanks for everything!!
Written 23 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
berni507
Panama City, Panama122 contributions
Couples
the huts looked very basic and people looking for fiesat more than culture or nature interest. lots of drug taken here
it s a choice, not mine
it s a choice, not mine
Written 20 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JanaTX14
Addison, TX14 contributions
I was looking at this island and an Air BnB on "big orange" Narasgandub Dummand. Have you been there? Which island would you recommend?
darvabmk
New Cumberland, PA38 contributions
Traveling to Chichime next week - must I really bring my own water to drink? And fins for snorkeling? No one shares them? Also - hammocks: is it good to bring a simple hammock with me? Staying at Ogob Nega cabins. WHat else should I know and bring for 4 day visit? Thank you in advance!
Niccolò
Scandicci, Italy5 contributions
Ciao a tutti! ad agosto sarò alle san blas e vorrei dormire a chichime ma non riesco a trovare alloggi da prenotare. Riuscite ad aiutarmi?!
Grazie mille
Ale1921
Ciriè, Italy334 contributions
Ciao,
Prova a cercare su Facebook la pagina ufficiale delle isole e scrivere a loro un messaggio privato.
Saluti.
oshimartelli
La Plata, Argentina3 contributions
Hola! Vpy a estar visitando la isla por 2 noches y queria saber si alguien tuvo problemas con las cosas de valor (celulares, dinero, pasaportes). vamos a compartir cabaña y queria quedarme tranquila que no hay probkema con esas cosas
Kiwi1028
Chiriqui Province, Panama453 contributions
En que cabañas ? Ogob Nega ? Siempre me ha quedado en eses pero todas son privadas. Tengo confianza a los Guna pero no a todos los turistas de paseo ;-)
Me podrÃan brindar algún número de contacto?
Kiwi1028
Chiriqui Province, Panama453 contributions
look for Ogob Nega - Posting guidelines do not allow to post contact information
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Isla Chichime | San Blas Islands | UPDATED September 2022 Top Tips Before You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Isla Chichime
- We recommend booking Isla Chichime tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 3 Isla Chichime tours on Tripadvisor
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