Ways to cross the Darien Gap. From Panama to Colombia (or vice versa)

Posted On 09/08/2014

Although Central America and South America are connected by land, the Darien Gap between Panama and Colombia is a thick forest area notorious for drug activities made it impossible to cross the continents by land safely. If you’re not up to extreme dangerous and difficult adventure, your choices are limited to by flight, or by boat, or both. There is one same feature for these options: Expensive.

I tried hard to look for cheaper options to cross the Darien Gap, and finally took a speed boat tour from Panama to Colombia. When I get back, I try to summarize and update my findings so future travelers can save some time researching for days like I did. Here is the 5 main options to cross the Darien Gap:

1. Flight: Panama City to/from Bogota/Medellin (Total ~US$150-200)
Price: start from about US$150-200, Time cost: A few hours, Extra cost: Transport to/from airports

2. Take a Yacht tour via San Blas, Carti to/from Cartagena (Total ~US$515-715)
Price: ~ US$475-675, Time cost: 4-5 days, Extra cost: US$40 transport Panama City to/from Pier.
Note: two full days at open sea near Cartagena will be a rough ride. Travellers frequently experienced severe sea sickness.
www.bluesail.net / www.mamallena.com/sailboats-to-cartagena.html

3. Take a speed boat tour via San Blas, Carti to/from Sapzurro (Total ~US$500)
Price: US$375, Time cost: 5d4n (4d3n tour + 1d1n transport), Extra cost: US$40 transport Panama City to/from Pier. Boat Sapzurro to/from Carpugana 9000COL(~US$5), extra night accommodation in Carpugana ~15000COL(~US$8), Boat Carpugana to/from Turbo 55000COL(~US$30), Bus Turbo to/from Medellin 56000COL(~US$30)
www.sanblasadventures.com

4. Flight + Boat, Fly Panama City to/from Puerto Obaldia, Boat Puerto Obaldia to/from Carpugana & Turbo to/from Medellin (Total~US$183)
Price: Flight start from US$100, Time cost: 2d1n, Boat Puerto Obaldia to/from Carpugana 30000COL (~US$15), Extra Cost: 1 night accommodation in Carpugana ~US$8, Boat Carpugana to/from Turbo ~US$30, Bus Turbo to/from Medellin ~US$30.

5. Ferry, Colon to/from Cartagena (Total ~US$131)
Price: US$120+7% tax for Reclining Seat, Time cost: ~24hours, Extra cost: Bus Panama City to/from Colon ~US$2.5
http://www.ferrypanamacartagena.com/

6. Walking, Hitchiking, Cargo Ferry etc: There are some real adventurers who insisted to cross complete by land, or waiting for cargo ferry at the port. These methods are remotely possible but involves too much changes and risks so that I didn’t drill further.

7. Lucky Chance: When I arrived at Carpugana after my 4d3n tour, I met a couple who invited me to join their yacht and go to Panama City via San Blas. They want somebody to share the cost and work on the yacht. If I was going the other direction I would be so glad. Yet this is all about luck. If you have loads of time and not afraid of waiting long time in Carpugana you may want to hang around there.

Conclusion:
With the new ferry started in September 2014, I guess that will be the cheapest way for those who don’t want to fly. With that you will miss out San Blas but I heard that the Bocas de Toro in north Panama is similarly nice too. Worth a try. Anyone who had been to both places are welcomed to share your views about those two places. Here I also would like to thank other travelers who shared their findings. For example I was one month too early to take the ferry in August 2014 and wouldn’t have known about it if others didn’t share.