Panama was once part of Colombia. Today, this small independent country is unique in that it joins two continents and two oceans. It joins South America with North America. Through its famous canal, it joins the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Many cruising yachts are attracted by this uniqueness and go sailing from Panama to Colombia each year.
A popular route stretches from the northern Panamanian coast through the Caribbean Sea to Cartagena, Barranquilla and then Santa Marta, three large cities along the northern coast of Colombia. This route covers a total distance of about 500 nautical miles, depending on the exact start- and end-points. Since the journey can take about five days of nonstop sailing, many yachts stagger their journey with at least one stop along the way.
One common start point is Colon, the main city at the Atlantic Ocean end of the Panama Canal. The city is located at the mouth of the Bahia de Manzanillo (Limon Bay). Although Colon is a busy commercial port, it does not have marina facilities for recreational craft. Pleasure yachts arriving from Europe or the USA usually berth a few nautical miles west of the city at the marina in Shelter Bay, sitting at the tip of the western arm of Limon Bay.
One cautionary point for yachts visiting Panama is the small number and variable quality of some local marinas. Some are poorly equipped, have limited sea draft, are mainly oriented towards serving sport fishing boats rather than cruising yachts and have fixed docks rather than floating pontoons. Fixed docks complicate berthing, particularly if the tidal range is large, because docking lines must be shortened and lengthened several times each day as the tide changes. None of these drawbacks apply to Shelter Bay.
Vessels that remain at the marina for more than a month receive the benefit of a discounted rate. The berths are designed mainly for monohulls; only a few berths are wide enough to accommodate catamarans. Bicycles are available for hire. There is tight security preventing access to the marina compound, including the docking area, by unauthorized individuals.
The San Lorenzo National Park surrounds the marina. This natural jungle area is home to amazing tropical wildlife including various monkeys and Amazon mealy parrots. Particularly noteworthy are the oropendola; these large passerine birds within the New World blackbird family have pointed bills, long tails and bright yellow coloring. Oropendola are easily spotted because they build amazing nests that hang from trees and resemble (look like) large teardrops.
Upon leaving Shelter Bay, many yachts head south for the gorgeous Archipelago de San Blas, a long stretch of more than 300 small coral isles. Only forty of these islands are inhabited. There are no resorts, restaurants or high-rise developments. Not surprisingly therefore, there are no marina facilities, but this is compensated by many excellent anchorages.
The San Blas archipelago is populated by Guna (or Kuna) Indians, a distinctive indigenous native group with its own language and culture, originally from Colombia. The history of this native group stretches back more than five centuries to before the arrival of Columbus. The Guna have proudly kept their heritage intact. Many live a traditional life in simple cane and thatch huts, some without basic facilities such as electricity, running water or modern sanitation. They refused outsiders to study their traditions and culture until the middle of the twentieth century. The opportunity to visit the San Blas and interact with the Guna is a compelling prospect that drives some yacht cruisers to go sailing from Panama to Colombia.
A popular route stretches from the northern Panamanian coast through the Caribbean Sea to Cartagena, Barranquilla and then Santa Marta, three large cities along the northern coast of Colombia. This route covers a total distance of about 500 nautical miles, depending on the exact start- and end-points. Since the journey can take about five days of nonstop sailing, many yachts stagger their journey with at least one stop along the way.
One common start point is Colon, the main city at the Atlantic Ocean end of the Panama Canal. The city is located at the mouth of the Bahia de Manzanillo (Limon Bay). Although Colon is a busy commercial port, it does not have marina facilities for recreational craft. Pleasure yachts arriving from Europe or the USA usually berth a few nautical miles west of the city at the marina in Shelter Bay, sitting at the tip of the western arm of Limon Bay.
One cautionary point for yachts visiting Panama is the small number and variable quality of some local marinas. Some are poorly equipped, have limited sea draft, are mainly oriented towards serving sport fishing boats rather than cruising yachts and have fixed docks rather than floating pontoons. Fixed docks complicate berthing, particularly if the tidal range is large, because docking lines must be shortened and lengthened several times each day as the tide changes. None of these drawbacks apply to Shelter Bay.
Vessels that remain at the marina for more than a month receive the benefit of a discounted rate. The berths are designed mainly for monohulls; only a few berths are wide enough to accommodate catamarans. Bicycles are available for hire. There is tight security preventing access to the marina compound, including the docking area, by unauthorized individuals.
The San Lorenzo National Park surrounds the marina. This natural jungle area is home to amazing tropical wildlife including various monkeys and Amazon mealy parrots. Particularly noteworthy are the oropendola; these large passerine birds within the New World blackbird family have pointed bills, long tails and bright yellow coloring. Oropendola are easily spotted because they build amazing nests that hang from trees and resemble (look like) large teardrops.
Upon leaving Shelter Bay, many yachts head south for the gorgeous Archipelago de San Blas, a long stretch of more than 300 small coral isles. Only forty of these islands are inhabited. There are no resorts, restaurants or high-rise developments. Not surprisingly therefore, there are no marina facilities, but this is compensated by many excellent anchorages.
The San Blas archipelago is populated by Guna (or Kuna) Indians, a distinctive indigenous native group with its own language and culture, originally from Colombia. The history of this native group stretches back more than five centuries to before the arrival of Columbus. The Guna have proudly kept their heritage intact. Many live a traditional life in simple cane and thatch huts, some without basic facilities such as electricity, running water or modern sanitation. They refused outsiders to study their traditions and culture until the middle of the twentieth century. The opportunity to visit the San Blas and interact with the Guna is a compelling prospect that drives some yacht cruisers to go sailing from Panama to Colombia.
About the Author:
Read more about Sailing From Panama To Colombia Provides An Opportunity To Visit The Kuna visiting our website.
No comments:
Post a Comment