Starting cruise charter in Panama

Deserted island in San Blas

Panamá has a lot to offer!  Im still trying to adjust to the heat here (102 degrees a couple days ago = hot, muggy and truly uncomfortable).  You would think that after a year, (can you believe that?!) we or I should say I, have acclimated to the weather.  Moving from LA to Seattle back in 1995, I say its easier to acclimate from hot to cold.  But, Im sure I could be wrong or just my body is different here.  I'm suppose to train for a 1/2 marathon in October and should be at 8 miles...hmmm... Well, all I can say is I cannot wait to finish.

San Blas: Beautiful calm waters

Isla Contadora (Pearl Islands)

Well, this particular blog is suppose to be about the sailing charter business Chris and I are running.  Things always seem easier on paper than they are in real life - or so the saying goes.  Probably true here as well, but also many joys and rare moments of being in the zone have led me to believe that our efforts and investments are starting to pay off.  Too many owners, partners have come and gone -- and thousands of dollars later, and by staying the course, we have come to enjoy promoting these fantastic cruises around Panamas's 3 incredible Archipelagos - The San Blas, Pearl Islands, and Bocas Del Toro.  

After falling in love with sailing in the San Blas Islands back in early 2011.  Chris was gung-ho about chartering here, that I had to see for myself.  I was NOT disappointed.  Back in September 2011, we met George and Melinda and Josh on their catamaran Southern Belle (check our blog on San Blas).  It is through this relationship that captain George and his 42' catamaran yacht have since come to be one of several cornerstone vessel options within the Yacht Latina framework.

 Well, a year now and we are still so fascinated with the Guna Yala (formerly known as the Kuna Yala, but their language has no "k" sound). I'm still collecting the big seashells and the molas from San Blas.  Can never have enough I say.

Kami buying a bracelet from a Guna Yala mom

Guna Yala typical home

Anyway, my enjoyment also comes from planning peoples trips and to those from out of town or locals - I like making their first time visiting the islands the best trip possible.  I field the inquiries, and manage the bookings, emails, contacts, and arranging of provisions.  Sometimes this means waking up at 3:30 AM and being in the city by 5 AM so I can avoid city traffic.  That trip, although dark, is cool.  The diablo rojos (buses) are all lit up like Christmas trees.  So cool.. I should blog about that next....

Chris proud of this baby!

Salad, soup or entrée?

Anyway, my countless trips to the city for shopping and meeting and greeting some guests have racked up thousands of kilometers on my car....Which has been a very good car to handle this much driving.

We have a website, http://www.yachtlatina.com which is designed to be a focal point in our marketing engine.  That is Chris' side job is to manage the site updates, pictures, postings, and schedules.  We also happen to live in a lovely expat community, playa coronado, where many of our friends and their families have also had the pleasure of cruising on one of our yachts, thus expanding the 'yacht latina fan club'.  

We recently expanded our yacht fleet to 7 vessels in order to provide our clients with a richer menu of sailing and cruising options all around Panama.  These vessels and their captains have come from all around the world to bathe in the tranquility of the tropic seas surrounding Panama.

San Blas Sunset 

Pearl Islands: Whale watching!

Sunset Paddle boarding 

These are some photo examples our guests have taken while on their trips.

Eric's lancha in San Blas

S is for Starfish

Which way? in Bocas

If you have yet to set sail with Yacht Latina cruises, then now is the time.  Sept - Dec is lovely and the dry season is just around the corner.  I do encourage those that live in Panama to at least try a couple nights sail.  The waters are typically calm both during sail and at anchor.  And the early morning pick up to start a cruise is well worth sitting on a hammock on your very own island (if you are lucky).

The schedule and times are posted on our www.yachtlatina.com website.  If you want to reach me directly: manager@yachtlatina.com.

Cheers!  Lita Huber