So from Cali I went straight to Cartagena, Colombia. As you see in the picture it is a costal city and a popular city for travelers to cross to Panama.
Now since the beginning of my trip, I was told that the crossing from Colombia to Panama will be the most difficult.
What is difficult about the crossing of the border? The main issue is the Darién Gap between Panama and Colombia. In the words of another blog I follow for tips: Overland Traveller. “The Darién Gap is a notorious and vast tract of virtually impenetrable mountainous jungle populated largely by guerrillas and drug traffickers with a healthy sideline in kidnapping”. So after hearing guerrillas, drug trafficking and kidnapping I started to ask around for all the possible and cheapest choice to cross to Panama ALIVE.
So the two options I was given: take a plane to Panama or go by Sail Boat, but both would cost around 300-400 US Dollars (ouch). So as I arrive to Cartagena, I quickly started to ask around for prices to go on Sailboats, and I started to see plane tickets. Since the prices by plane and boat were the same, I decided to take the adventure and go on the SailBoat! So I crossed the Border by SailBoat, which took a total of 5 days and three days in the sea. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!!
Looking and waiting for the right boat took longer than I thought. I planned to stay in Cartagena for 2 days, but I ended up staying for 7 days. During these 7 days I met some great people and soaked up the sun while sitting by the Caribbean Sea. If you ever go to Cartagena, prepare yourself for the immense HEAT!
I met two great Colombian girls from Medellin at a popular plaza. We became friends pretty quickly. We hang out several times, going out, seeing the city, and laughing loads! Here are some pics of me in Cartagena and with the buddies:
The trip to Panama was an incredible experience. I travelled with CarpeDiem Sailing, which entailed of a group of three guys. The Captain, Carlos from Spain, and his two crew members, Eamon from Canada and a great guy from England. Passengers on the boat were myself, another solo traveller from Argentina, and a couple from France. The time I spent with them was great. I did get sick for about two days, but thankfully I took some medicine to help me out. It was NOT fun getting sick on a sail boat for two days.
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- Darien Gap
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- THis is somewhat the route I did in going to Panama. However I went from Colombia to Panama.
We started from Cartagena, Colombia after we had to wait to get our passport stamped (Colombia exit) by a lawyer, which is different from other countries. We Sailed about two days to get to San Blas Islands home to Kunda Indians. Once we arrived we stopped at an Island that served as the Panama Immigration checkpoint. It took us about an hour to get our passports stamped (Panama Entrance). After that we sailed a few more minutes to the Captain’s home,where we stayed the night (on the boat again) and the next morning we took off to reach land in Panama. It was incredible to see several people from different parts of the world arriving to this Island and calling it home. Living life in their boats in Paradise!
So after 5 days I finally made it to Panama City! In total the cost was 300 dollars on the Sail Boat, 15 Dollars from San Blas Island to the Port City in Panama, and 30 dollars for transportation to Panama City. This was the most money I spent in crossing any border. NOW to continue the trip in a VERY TIGHT Budget! Thankfully I hear the rest of Central America is not too expensive, except Costa Rica 
In Panama City I stayed only two days with a great CouchSurfing person. I shared a room in a hostel, at no cost, with amazingly talented people; a guy from Argentina and a girl from Colombia 🙂 Now preparing to see my Sister/Cousin in COSTA RICA 🙂
Next STOP COSTA RICA!!!
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