By Ramiro Del Rio · reviewed
Motion Sickness on the Road to San Blas: What Helps
Yes, the trip to San Blas can make you queasy, and a day tour has two tricky moments: the curves on the mountain road to Cartí, and the boat when there are waves. What helps most is a good night’s sleep, a light breakfast, riding up front in the 4x4, sitting in the middle or back of the boat, and watching the horizon instead of your phone.
Where do people get sick on the way to San Blas?
In two places, and it’s worth preparing for each one separately:
- In the 4x4. The first half of the drive is highway and hardly anyone notices it. The second half, the El Llano–Cartí road, climbs and drops through the mountains with one bend after another. That’s where carsickness shows up.
- In the boat. It’s open and fast. On a calm sea you barely feel it; some days there are waves and the bow slaps the water. The longer the crossing, the longer you’re exposed.
If you want the whole journey leg by leg, it’s in what the road to San Blas is like.
The night before and breakfast
Avoiding motion sickness starts before you get in the car:
- Sleep. Pickup is at 5:00 AM, so go to bed early. Being tired makes everything worse.
- No alcohol the night before.
- A light breakfast, never an empty stomach. Something plain and dry: bread, crackers, fruit. Skip greasy food, very acidic juice and too much coffee.
- Bring water and keep a plastic bag in your pocket, just in case.
Pills and ginger: what works and what doesn’t
If you tend to get car- or seasick, there are over-the-counter motion sickness medications. The key is to take them before you leave, not once you already feel bad: halfway through the curves is too late. Ask your pharmacist or doctor which one suits you, how far ahead to take it and whether it will make you drowsy — especially if you’re pregnant, traveling with children or taking other medication.
Some people prefer ginger, as candy or cookies. It works for some people, but don’t treat it as a substitute for what a professional recommends.
In the 4x4: where to sit and what to do on the curves
- Up front or by a window, facing forward. Seeing the road helps your body anticipate each bend. On shared tours seats are sorted out as the group is picked up: tell the driver when you get in and, if possible, we’ll give you the front.
- No screens. Reading, texting or watching videos on a winding road is the quickest way to feel sick.
- Fresh air on your face. Crack the window or point the air conditioning at you.
- Sleep on the highway, but stay awake on the mountain stretch with your eyes on the distance.
If you start feeling unwell, tell the driver: they drive this road every day and would rather stop for a moment.
In the boat: the middle and back move less
The boat is open, with a canopy for shade. The front is the part that bounces most on the waves and catches the most spray. Sit in the middle or toward the back, facing forward, and keep your eyes on the horizon or on a distant island.
A light jacket helps if there’s spray and wind; being wet and cold makes queasiness worse.
What to do if you feel sick anyway
- Tell the guide, the driver or the captain. Nobody will rush you.
- Look at a fixed point far away, breathe slowly and get some fresh air.
- Sip water in small amounts and don’t eat anything heavy.
- Once on land, rest in the shade for a few minutes before getting in the water.
- Before the return trip, ask your pharmacist whether you can take another dose: the road back has the same curves.
Which route to choose if you get sick easily
If the boat is what worries you, pick fewer and shorter crossings. The captain always decides based on the day’s sea, but the route you start with matters:
| If you get sick… | Best option |
|---|---|
| Only in cars | Any route; just prepare for the mountain stretch |
| On boats too | Oferta Escapada: 2 islands plus the Piscina Natural, in the Cayos Limones |
| On boats, and you want calm water | Southern San Blas tour, with calm waters |
| Badly, and you’re traveling with kids | Private tour: stops whenever you need them |
| Never | Cayos Holandeses, the longest crossing, on open sea |
When a private tour is worth it
On a private San Blas tour the 4x4 and the boat are for your group only. You can stop on the road as often as you need and pick your seat without negotiating with anyone. It’s the relaxed option for families with kids who get carsick. At sea, of course, the captain is still in charge.
For everything else you’ll want on the day — sunscreen, cash, a dry bag — see the full list in what to bring to San Blas.
Frequently asked questions
When should I take the motion sickness pill? Before the 5:00 AM pickup, as far ahead as the leaflet or your pharmacist says. Taking it once you already feel sick halfway up the mountain does little.
Where should I sit in the boat to avoid seasickness? In the middle or toward the back, facing forward. The bow bounces most on the waves and gets the wettest.
What should I eat for breakfast before the San Blas tour? Something light and dry, like bread, crackers or fruit — never an empty stomach, never a greasy meal.
Can the 4x4 stop if I feel sick? Yes. Tell the driver as soon as you notice it; stopping for a few minutes on the road is normal and nobody will rush you.
Which route is easiest on the stomach? Routes with a few short crossings, like the Oferta Escapada in the Cayos Limones, or the southern route with its calm waters. The toughest is the Cayos Holandeses, on open sea.