If adventure is your middle name, your bucket list probably includes traveling from North America and Central America to South America, maybe even all the way from Alaska to Patagonia. It's an epic journey that provides a range of unforgettable experiences and it's not that difficult to accomplish. Some people even do it by cycling, biking or driving down. When planning for your trip, however, you may have to consider the option of getting from Panama to Colombia by boat.
Between Alaska and Patagonia the main road is the Pan American Highway. However, this highway also includes the Darien Gap. The name for this stretch comes from the fact that it's literally a break in the highway which ends in Panama's Yaviza town and then starts again in Colombia's Turbo, less than 100 miles away.
The Darien Gap is one of the most difficult overland crossings in the world. The jungle here is dense and there is a high risk of contracting diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Roads are very bad, often not much more than a dirt track. Moreover, the region is teeming with drug traffickers and Colombian guerrillas who have been known to rob, kidnap and even murder travelers setting foot in their territory.
One way to get to Colombia from Panama is by airplane. This is certainly the quickest and most convenient way to make the crossing. The drawback is that it doesn't really involve much adventure other than the possibility of turbulence during the flight.
The option of sailing across is much more exciting. If you're short on funds and you play your cards right, you may be able to get very cheap passage in exchange for helping out on board. This kind of deal is difficult to find, though. Much more common is a package deal where you sail across on board a yacht for more or less the price of a plane ticket.
The companies that offer trips from Panama to Colombia usually take passengers across via the San Blas Archipelago. Some of these Panamanian islands are inhabited by an indigenous tribe known as the Kuna, who have a fascinating culture. Most of the islands are uninhabited though and you'll likely get to swim, snorkel or walk on the beach without bumping into another soul except your fellow passengers.
You may think that the crossing sounds easy enough except for the question of what to do with your bike or your car. This doesn't have to be a complication, though. Several companies offer a service that transports your mode of transport across on a cargo ship. You'll even be able to have a bicycle or a motorcycle flown across.
Finding an operator that will take you from Panama to Colombia by boat is very easy. Many advertise in Panamanian hostels but you can also look online. The crossing is usually quite safe and while it might be rough during the windy dry season, there is almost no risk of hurricanes.
Between Alaska and Patagonia the main road is the Pan American Highway. However, this highway also includes the Darien Gap. The name for this stretch comes from the fact that it's literally a break in the highway which ends in Panama's Yaviza town and then starts again in Colombia's Turbo, less than 100 miles away.
The Darien Gap is one of the most difficult overland crossings in the world. The jungle here is dense and there is a high risk of contracting diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Roads are very bad, often not much more than a dirt track. Moreover, the region is teeming with drug traffickers and Colombian guerrillas who have been known to rob, kidnap and even murder travelers setting foot in their territory.
One way to get to Colombia from Panama is by airplane. This is certainly the quickest and most convenient way to make the crossing. The drawback is that it doesn't really involve much adventure other than the possibility of turbulence during the flight.
The option of sailing across is much more exciting. If you're short on funds and you play your cards right, you may be able to get very cheap passage in exchange for helping out on board. This kind of deal is difficult to find, though. Much more common is a package deal where you sail across on board a yacht for more or less the price of a plane ticket.
The companies that offer trips from Panama to Colombia usually take passengers across via the San Blas Archipelago. Some of these Panamanian islands are inhabited by an indigenous tribe known as the Kuna, who have a fascinating culture. Most of the islands are uninhabited though and you'll likely get to swim, snorkel or walk on the beach without bumping into another soul except your fellow passengers.
You may think that the crossing sounds easy enough except for the question of what to do with your bike or your car. This doesn't have to be a complication, though. Several companies offer a service that transports your mode of transport across on a cargo ship. You'll even be able to have a bicycle or a motorcycle flown across.
Finding an operator that will take you from Panama to Colombia by boat is very easy. Many advertise in Panamanian hostels but you can also look online. The crossing is usually quite safe and while it might be rough during the windy dry season, there is almost no risk of hurricanes.
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