La Tovara

La Tovara is a freshwater spring a few kilometers inland from San Blas, and the boat ride to reach it is the most famous outing in the area. The trip winds up narrow channels through the mangroves, where the roots and branches close overhead to form green tunnels, and ends at a pool of clear spring water where you can swim.

The channels are part of a wetland where fresh water from the hills meets salt water from the sea, and the wetlands around San Blas are protected as a Ramsar site of international importance. Along the way boatmen point out herons, egrets, kingfishers and other birds, turtles sunning on logs, and crocodiles resting on the banks.

Most tours stop at the Cocodrilario Kiekari, a crocodile sanctuary where you can see crocodiles of all sizes safely. At the spring there is a swimming area and a restaurant, so many people make a half-day of it. Go early in the morning for the most birds and the calmest water, and bring insect repellent, because the mosquitoes and jejenes (tiny biting flies) can be fierce, especially around dawn and dusk.