| TRAVELLING FROM PANAMA TO COLOMBIA |
| ZULYS BACKPACKERS HOSTEL PANAMA CITY Calle Ricardo Arias 8 (between Hotel Mariott and Hotel Continental) Phone: 269-2665 Cell.: 6605-4742 Email: zulys-reservations?gmx.net www.geocities.com/zulys_independent_backpacker/ |
| GENERAL INFORMATION Once in Panama, there are different ways to travel to Colombia, nevertheless you should know that there is no recomendable way to go there by land as the two countries aren�t connected by a decent road. The Panamerican Highway ends right after Yaviza in the Darien Province and from there the so called road is reduced to a small path which makes it impossible to use cars. Even though it might be possible to walk there through the jungle using a big machete it is not recommended as this area is packed with violent drugdealers and colombian guerrilleros who are not afraid of killing or kidnapping tourists. PLEASE ALWAYS REMEMBER: THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE - THESE GUYS ARE NOT KIDDING!!! BY BOAT There is several boats doing the trip Panama-Cartagena. All of them charge between US$ 270 and US$ 320 depending on size of the boat and on-board services offered!!! Maybe at first sight this looks like a lot of money but please remember that the trip takes usually between 4 and 5 days and includes a 2-3 day stopover in the San Blas Islands, immigration fees and on most boats 3 meals a day- in other words this is not just the trip Panama - Cartagena but also an all inclusive vacation in the beautiful San Blas Islands!!! Nevertheless, there is no fix timetable, so please be pacient and flexible and DO NOT EXPECT to arrive in Panama, go to the pier, by a ticket and board the boat. Captains usually call us 3-7 days prior to departure which makes it impossible for us to give information about departures already weeks or even month before! ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS PUERTO OBALDIA (PANAMA - CAPURGANA (COLOMBIA) There is the possibility to fly from Panama City to the border town of Puerto Obaldia, get your Exit Stamp there, go by launch ($10) to Capurgana on the colombian side of the border where you get your entry Stamp. The whole trip this way to Cartagena or Medellin will cost you about US$ 130. It is usually a safe way to go to Colombia-though we don�t take any responsibility! This is one of the best options going from Panama to Colombia. Nevertheless there is the problem that there are only 3 flights per week (Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays) and therefore most of the time there is no seat available which means you have to book at least 3-5 days in advance. CHEAP FLIGHTS FROM PANAMA TO CARTAGENA/BARANQUILLA/PERREIRA STAY AT ZULYS and get information on bargain flights to Colombia (one-way from less than US$ 160, return from less than US$ 250)! YACHT CLUBS There are several YACHT CLUBS in Panama. Ask if there are boats taking people with them. But don�t be too optimistic as the number of Backpackers looking for a lift to Colombia or Ecuador is high! CARGO BOATS It is also possible to look for a cargo boat that allows passengers on board. We had already people getting a space this way even though it is very hard to get one. Nevertheless their feedback shows us that it is not suitable for everybody as it is most of the time not very comfortable and sometimes even dangerous! IN CASE YOU ARE NOT A DAREDEVIL WHO TRAVELLED THE WORLD THIS WAY WE WOULDN�T RECOMMEND IT TO ANYBODY!!! |
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