Pelican Island

Isla Pelicano (Guanidup)

A tiny, quintessential San Blas island with white sand, a few palms, and rustic Guna huts for overnight stays. Its clear surrounding waters and nearby natural swimming pool make it a classic tour highlight.

Things to do

• Snorkel the shallow reefs — Grab a mask and float above the clear waters ringing the island to spot starfish, colorful reef fish, and coral just off the sand.
• Visit the natural swimming pool — Take a short boat ride to the famous nearby piscina natural, a waist-deep sandbar in the open sea where you can stand and swim in turquoise water.
• Overnight in a Guna hut — Sleep in a rustic bamboo-and-thatch cabaña right on the beach, falling asleep to the sound of waves just steps from your door.
• Beach lounging under the palms — Relax on the white sand beneath the island's handful of coconut palms with nothing but ocean views around you.
• Island-hop to nearby cays — Join a boat tour to surrounding uninhabited sandbanks and coral islets scattered across the San Blas archipelago.
• Sunset watching over the archipelago — Since the island is tiny, walk to the western edge to watch the sun sink behind distant palm-covered cays.
• Stargazing off-grid — With no light pollution and limited electricity, the night sky above Pelican Island is exceptionally clear for stargazing.

Food to try

• Fresh caught lobster — Guna fishermen bring in spiny lobster daily, grilled simply and served with coconut rice as the signature San Blas meal.
• Fried whole fish — Locally caught red snapper or other reef fish fried and served with patacones (fried plantains) and rice.
• Coconut rice — Rice cooked in fresh coconut milk, a staple side dish across Guna Yala that accompanies most seafood plates.
• Fresh coconuts — Buy a coconut straight from a Guna vendor and drink the water, as coconuts are central to Guna economy and diet.
• King crab and seafood soup — Sometimes available depending on the catch, a hearty local seafood broth served with rice.

Local customs & good to know

• Bring cash in small bills — There are no ATMs or card machines in San Blas, so carry plenty of US dollars in small denominations for meals, huts, and tour extras.
• Pay the Guna community fee — The Guna govern their own autonomous territory (Guna Yala) and charge entry and island fees that go to the community, so keep some cash aside for them.
• Ask before photographing people — Guna, especially women in traditional mola dress, may expect a small fee or may decline, so always ask permission before taking their photo.
• Pack out your trash and conserve resources — Fresh water and electricity are scarce on this tiny island, so use them sparingly and carry your waste away to protect the fragile environment.

Nearby

• Lemon Cays — 3 km
• Cartí Sugtupu — 14 km
• Isla Aguja — 16 km
• Cayos Holandeses — 25 km