Panama to Colombia Details

Crossing the Darien Gap

I just finished crossing from Panama to Colombia in May 2016. If you’re looking to cross here’s what I found and what I did. I hope this helps others who are trying to do the same thing.

I sailed on the Wild Card to save a bit of money, have some fun, and land in Cartagena instead of Bogota. I wasn’t sure I’d get on the ship so I made all the preparations to fly before getting a confirmation from the Wild Card.

Fly or Sail.

FLY:

If you want to fly you can fly from Tocumen cargo airport in Panama City to Bogota, Columbia. It’s simple:

Contact Leivy Becerra at Air Cargo Pack: logisticapty@aircargopack.com
She will walk you through all the steps. The cost is $1,000 USD (cash only). You can arrive at 8:00am and have your bike in Bogota the same day. The aduana (customs office) is about 100 yards from Air Cargo Pack.

You’ll need to book a separate flight for yourself. Total cost is about $1400 USD.

Tel: +507 238-4415/ Móvil: +507 67-800117
GPS for Air Cargo Pack: N9 05.114 W79 22.460

SAIL:

If you’d like to sail I suggest going on the Wild Card. But you need to book early as the ship fills up fast.

Cost is $1100 ($1200 for bikes over 1100CC) for 5 days of sailing (includes food). They can only take 3 bikes, so book early. Book early!!

Panama To Colombia Sailboat – Wild Card Sailing

The trip takes 6 days. It’s slow but includes a few days on the San Blas islands. Be prepared for a boat full of backpackers and booze. There is no A/C and not a lot of space on the boat. You’ll either be in your bunk or on the deck. You’ll snorkel, sunbathe, drink, and watch the waves.

The legal process takes a bit longer than flying. Here are the steps:

Step 1 (min 2 days before departure) You will need the bike inspected by from DIJ in Panama City (Dirección de Investigación Judicial) N8 57.970 W79 32.690. After this you will probably be told to go across the street to the ‘Secretaria General’ for more paperwork.

Customs: Min 1 day before departure

Collect ‘bill of landing document’ in Portobelo from Captain Jack’s Bar

Once you have that you can go to customs in Colon for clearance/cancelling your import permit. Aduana Colon N9 20.783 W79 52.735

You will need the following:
Bill of landing from the captain (+ 3 copies)
Passport (+ 3 copies)
Temporary import permit from your arrival in Panama (+ 3 copies
Title documents (+ 3 copies
Inspection documents from DIJ the previous day (+ 3 copies)
Any other documents that you have been given pertaining towards the bike during your time in Panama

After you have completed customs clearance you can return to Portobelo the evening before departure to meet the rest of the passengers and crew for a briefing at 19:00hrs. Loading will take place the next day ready for departure in the evening.

3 comments

  1. To all travelers with motorbikes:

    You have to take a boat in Turbo for your motorcycle. Your bike will travel alone to Capurgana, because it is not allowed to transport goods and passengers together.

    Today we do have a traveler in our Hostal Capurgana who came from Carti, Panama to Capurgana with a Honda 250ccm

    In Carti he had to wait 2 days until he could find a transport to Porto Obaldia. Panama Border.
    A private boat you pay around USD 1’000.– and more.

    He did find a boat with more passengers but he had to stay on the islands over night.
    It took him 3 days and 600 USD.

    From Porto Obaldia to Capurgana he paid USD 80.–

    Tomorrow he is going to Turbo. The bike is around 120 USD. The boat for himself is about USD 25.–

    Depending how heavy your bike is so prices can change.

    There are fishermen they take you bike from Capurgana to Panama. But this will be quickly over 1’000.—USD.

    Feel free to ask for more information.
    Silvio
    Hostal Capurgana, Capurgana
    I am Swiss an having the Hostal Capurgana since 7 years.

  2. To all.
    We have a bike Traveller who wants to cross the Darien Cap going to Panama in Feb.2019.
    I wrote him that this is not the best idea because from end December to April the sea is very rough.
    Nevertheless.
    He confirmed maybe to park his bike n Capurgana if the sea is bad.
    Update will follow.
    Silvio
    Hostal Capurgana, Capurgana Colombia

  3. Now we have a bike Traveller who came up from Peru to Capurgana.
    I told him that end of December until April,the sa is very unstable.
    Ok. He told me that he wants to go to Carti, Panama. If the sea is bad he will park the bike in Capurgana.

    Now you can load your bike in Necocli. This s is about one hour away from Capurgana.
    Turbo is more ten 2 1/2 hours away.
    More questions ? Ask by Hostal Capurgana in Capurgana.
    We can help you.

    This he did. The bike is now in Capurgana. But the sea to continue by boat was not ok.

    So he parked the bike and he will return mid of the year.
    The he has his little boat with his bike and he will be in Carti the same day.

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