Colombia to Panama by boat....

token101

Wondering if anyone has any experience of taking this route by boat? Flying is prohibitively expensive for me, and I know it's not possible by land, but from what I can gather there are several independent captains taking people on boats from Cartagena to the the East coast of Panama and you can fly cheaply to Panama City. I've only done a little research, but there doesn't seem to be many reputable or established operators. Does anyone have any experience of doing this journey and could recommend a company/captain? Thanks

themacman

I didn't make this trip myself, but would love to someday soon.

When I spent some time in Cartagena, fellow travellers were organising trips. Your'e right, it didn't appear to me that there were any well established operators. Some folks I met were simply heading down to the docks every day to try to bag a spot on a boat by talking to captains. As the boats were arriving, they would chat to the incoming travellers that had just done the trip in the opposite direction about their experiences on the boat, to decide if this is the one for them. And anyone I met who was determined enough seemed to find a boat eventually.

I know the above doesn't help you a whole lot, but from what I gathered this is one of those cases where you just have to show up and see what happens.

dory

Yea, I spent a bit of time in Panama and saw lots of signs up in hostels advertising boats. I think the best way to do it is to just turn up in one of the countries and see what the story is. Give youself a good few days to find a boat and then the trip itself takes a few days as well. I remember it was $275 but that was 4.5 years ago.

Flynn

Hey, I did this trip in 2008 only the other way round.. Our captain told us the Colombia to Panama route is actually better though as you get to do more sailing. We kind of went on a once off(ish) trip as a kiwi captain was collecting a boat or something. Anyway it was an amazing trip! Most boats make the trip the whole time.

Just have a look around in all the hostels, some will have posters, but they will all know about the trip and if they don't move on to the next hostel. Check the popular hostels (ones you'd find in the Lonely Planet ) They'll take your names and when the boat reaches capacity it will sail. There was 11 on our boat. I've heard of people going on smaller boats with just 4. Though one had to sleep in the wheel house. Make sure snorkeling gear is provided. Our boat only had 2 sets which was a balls. (If you go on a boat that makes the trip the whole time i'm sure this won't be a problem) The snorkeling I did on San Blas was probably better than any diving i've done - it actually scared the shít out of me, being on my own! No fishing (except by the kuna obv) means is teaming with marine life, plenty sharks etc. The trip is usually 5 days. A day straight sailing, then 3 days anchored in the san blas (you may island hop over the 3 days) then another day straight sailing (actually we did no sailing, wind wouldn't allow it, it was all motor! - but you get what i mean) Cost wise it was $350 and the year before we went it was $250. 4 years later you can probably expect that to be gone way up. Whatever you pay though you won't regret it. San Blas is hands down the most beautiful untouched place i've ever been. When you compare it to flights you must also take in to account your getting food and board for 5 days. Bring plenty rum!! You'll land in Colon on the north coast.. no need to fly it's like an hour or 2 to P. city on the bus

As the guys said, allow yourself some time to get organised.. I'd plan for at least a week in Cartegena (stunning city)

Good Luck!

Sin1981

Hi guys,
Sorry to hijack your thread token101, but I'm interested in this topic. I am planning a tirp to that region later in the year. I will be going from Panama to Colombia. I definitely want to go to the San Blas, and sailing would be ideal to save me from going from San blas back to panama to get a flight to Cartegena. But my only concern is sea sickness. I haven't done much sailing, only a couple of ferries to UK and France when I was younger, but I think I'm definitely a person who's prone to sea sickness as I got sick on some of those legs. I would really like to sail from Pan to Cartegena, but I would absolutely dread 4 days solid of bending over the side of the boat.
I reckon I'll be making the crossing by sea/air around mid/end October this year.

Flynn: what time of year did you go? did you or any of the others experience any sickness? any general advice in that regard??
thanks

Flynn

I went in August. I was with my girlfriend and a mate. My mate suffered pretty bad sea-sickness before the trip.. (he used to get sick on dive boats on the 10 minute trip out to dive sites) But to be honest he wasn't that bad on the trip.

Your looking at two days steaming... so 3 of your 5 days will be sick-free regardless as you're just anchored swimming to islands. Our first night leaving Colon when we got out to sea there was a crazy lightning storm. Choppy as shít, we were playing a game and drinking on deck and I remember some israeli's stomachs turning at the thought of a drink. So you would probably get sick here! After that first night though the sea was like glass.. i've never seen anything like it..

Worse case scenario is you get sick your first night and your last night.. if you do you won't miss much as everyone just reads / sunbaths on the deck during this time. They'll probably be drinking and playing games by night time but you'll have plenty of time for that on your trip! I wouldn't let the sickness hold you back as it's too good to miss. Really!

token101

Cheers for the all the info lads. Since this would have to be a return trip, as my flights are in/out of Bogota, it's looking a bit out of my price range at the minute unfortunately Was hoping to get a return for 200 odd euro, but that's probably extremely unrealistic (as my travel plans tend to be at the moment!) :P I'll have to try different permutations and see if it works out!

Flynn

token101 wrote: »

Cheers for the all the info lads. Since this would have to be a return trip, as my flights are in/out of Bogota, it's looking a bit out of my price range at the minute unfortunately Was hoping to get a return for 200 odd euro, but that's probably extremely unrealistic (as my travel plans tend to be at the moment!) :P I'll have to try different permutations and see if it works out!

All boats will have a deck hand too... Ours hand a first mate (who knew his stuff) and then some American or Ozzy chick i can't remember which and all she did was help prepare food and cleaned up a bit... but pretty much just got a free ride.. Maybe you could get in contact with the hostels that help organise the trips and start harassing captains!

Also have you ever heard of this site?
http://www.7knots.com it's worth checkin out... havn't been on it in years.. but lots of opportunity for adventure travel!

Sin1981

thanks Flynn, you have me convinced. might just get some tablets from the doctor here before I go (if they'll have them out), just in case.

good luck Token!!

Meathlass

Sin1981 wrote: »

thanks Flynn, you have me convinced. might just get some tablets from the doctor here before I go (if they'll have them out), just in case.

good luck Token!!

Get your seasickness tablets over there: they're cheaper and seem to be stronger. I got ones in Ecuador and they were amazing. I was the only person who didn't get sea sick sailing to Antartica