Cash: the only way to pay on the islands
In San Blas, you pay in cash, period. The community entry tax ($22 foreigners / $7 residents), extra drinks, Guna crafts like molas — all of it is cash-only. There are no ATMs and no way to withdraw money once you cross into the comarca.
How much to bring
Beyond the mandatory tax, budget an extra $20-40 per person if you plan to buy drinks, snacks, or a mola as a souvenir. It's better to bring too much than too little — there's nowhere to pull emergency cash.
Wifi and cell signal
Connectivity in San Blas is limited to nonexistent on most islands. Some overnight cabins have solar-powered wifi for a few hours, but don't count on it. For a day trip, treat it as a fully disconnected day.
Our advice
Let whoever needs to know that you'll be offline that day, download any maps or tickets you need before leaving Panama City, and treat the disconnection as part of the experience — it's honestly one of the few places left in the Caribbean still like this.