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.
The Pan American Highway is continuous from Alaska to Patagonia with one exception. It's a short gap in the road, less than 100 miles long. It starts in the Panamanian province of Darien and is called the Darien Gap. The Darien Gap starts at Yaviza and ends at Turbo, a town in Colombia.
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.
The easiest way to cross the Darien Gap is to fly. This is also the quickest mode of transport. However, flying can be very expensive and it may not be your best option if you're traveling on a tight budget. You also miss out on what this part of the world has to offer.
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 great advantage of sailing across is that most of the travel packages include the San Blas Archipelago in the itinerary. This remote group of islands in Panama offer you the perfect chance for a beach getaway without the crowds. Go snorkeling or diving, swim or work on your tan on the pristine stretches of sand. If you're fascinated by indigenous cultures, you'll love San Blas too because the people who live here are mostly Kuna, a unique and fascinating culture.
If you've been using public transport for your journey, the crossing will be very straightforward. It becomes more complicated if you've been driving down or if you've been traveling by bike. However, you don't have to leave your car or bike behind in Panama. You can simply have it shipped over separately by contacting one of the companies that offer this service. A motorcycle or bicycle is small enough to load onto a cargo plane too.
In the dry months the crossing can be a little rough because it's also windy season. Luckily the region doesn't experience hurricanes. During rainy season you usually have sunshine in the mornings and heavy showers in the late afternoon. To find operators that will take you from Panama to Colombia by boat, do an online search or inquire at backpacker hostels in the region.
The Pan American Highway is continuous from Alaska to Patagonia with one exception. It's a short gap in the road, less than 100 miles long. It starts in the Panamanian province of Darien and is called the Darien Gap. The Darien Gap starts at Yaviza and ends at Turbo, a town in Colombia.
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.
The easiest way to cross the Darien Gap is to fly. This is also the quickest mode of transport. However, flying can be very expensive and it may not be your best option if you're traveling on a tight budget. You also miss out on what this part of the world has to offer.
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 great advantage of sailing across is that most of the travel packages include the San Blas Archipelago in the itinerary. This remote group of islands in Panama offer you the perfect chance for a beach getaway without the crowds. Go snorkeling or diving, swim or work on your tan on the pristine stretches of sand. If you're fascinated by indigenous cultures, you'll love San Blas too because the people who live here are mostly Kuna, a unique and fascinating culture.
If you've been using public transport for your journey, the crossing will be very straightforward. It becomes more complicated if you've been driving down or if you've been traveling by bike. However, you don't have to leave your car or bike behind in Panama. You can simply have it shipped over separately by contacting one of the companies that offer this service. A motorcycle or bicycle is small enough to load onto a cargo plane too.
In the dry months the crossing can be a little rough because it's also windy season. Luckily the region doesn't experience hurricanes. During rainy season you usually have sunshine in the mornings and heavy showers in the late afternoon. To find operators that will take you from Panama to Colombia by boat, do an online search or inquire at backpacker hostels in the region.
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