Traveling from North to South America is one of the great backpacker adventures. It also makes for an epic road trip if you have your own transport. Some people do it by motorcycle or even by bicycle too. There's one stretch along the way where most travelers have to change their mode of transport, though, and usually they choose to travel 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 reason why the Darien Gap exists is that it has proven much to difficult to complete the road through the rough terrain of the Darien region. The dangers here are numerous, from wild animals to diseases like dengue fever and malaria. The jungle is very dense too and the roads that do exist are little more than dirt tracks. While this may sound just up your alley, there is a much more serious reason not to attempt an overland crossing of the Darien Gap. The region's remoteness has made it the perfect hideout for criminals and guerrillas. Neither of these groups will think twice before harming you. Being robbed or killed is a very real risk, as is being kidnapped and held ransom.
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.
If you're making use of your own transport, you may wonder what to do with your car, bicycle or motorcycle since the yachts used for the crossing cannot take these vehicles too. This is no problem. Motorbikes and bicycles can be flown over by cargo plane or you can have them taken over by container ship. Larger vehicles are sailed over in cargo vessels.
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 reason why the Darien Gap exists is that it has proven much to difficult to complete the road through the rough terrain of the Darien region. The dangers here are numerous, from wild animals to diseases like dengue fever and malaria. The jungle is very dense too and the roads that do exist are little more than dirt tracks. While this may sound just up your alley, there is a much more serious reason not to attempt an overland crossing of the Darien Gap. The region's remoteness has made it the perfect hideout for criminals and guerrillas. Neither of these groups will think twice before harming you. Being robbed or killed is a very real risk, as is being kidnapped and held ransom.
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.
If you're making use of your own transport, you may wonder what to do with your car, bicycle or motorcycle since the yachts used for the crossing cannot take these vehicles too. This is no problem. Motorbikes and bicycles can be flown over by cargo plane or you can have them taken over by container ship. Larger vehicles are sailed over in cargo vessels.
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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