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.
A network of highways makes up what is known as the Pan American Highway. It stretches all the way from Alaska into Patagonia. Between Yaviza in Panama and Turbo, a little less than 100 miles further in Colombia, the highway stops due to factors such as the inhospitable terrain. Because this is in the Darien province, it's known as the Darien Gap.
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.
There are alternative ways to cross the Darien Gap. The easiest and most convenient is to fly. If you're very adventurous, which you probably are if you're undertaking this journey in the first place, flying may feel like a cop-out though.
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.
Most of the package trips from Panama to Colombia include a visit to the San Blas Archipelago, a beautiful, remote group of islands off the Panamanian coast. Here you get to enjoy sun and sea on unspoiled tropical beaches. Moreover, San Blas is home to the Kuna people and you can learn more about their fascinating culture while you're here.
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.
In the dry months the crossing can be a little rough because it's also windy season. Luckily the region doesn't experience hurricanes. During rainy season you usually have sunshine in the mornings and heavy showers in the late afternoon. To find operators that will take you from Panama to Colombia by boat, do an online search or inquire at backpacker hostels in the region.
A network of highways makes up what is known as the Pan American Highway. It stretches all the way from Alaska into Patagonia. Between Yaviza in Panama and Turbo, a little less than 100 miles further in Colombia, the highway stops due to factors such as the inhospitable terrain. Because this is in the Darien province, it's known as the Darien Gap.
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.
There are alternative ways to cross the Darien Gap. The easiest and most convenient is to fly. If you're very adventurous, which you probably are if you're undertaking this journey in the first place, flying may feel like a cop-out though.
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.
Most of the package trips from Panama to Colombia include a visit to the San Blas Archipelago, a beautiful, remote group of islands off the Panamanian coast. Here you get to enjoy sun and sea on unspoiled tropical beaches. Moreover, San Blas is home to the Kuna people and you can learn more about their fascinating culture while you're here.
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.
In the dry months the crossing can be a little rough because it's also windy season. Luckily the region doesn't experience hurricanes. During rainy season you usually have sunshine in the mornings and heavy showers in the late afternoon. To find operators that will take you from Panama to Colombia by boat, do an online search or inquire at backpacker hostels in the region.
About the Author:
You can visit www.bluesailing.net for more helpful information about How To Travel From Panama To Colombia By Boat.
No comments:
Post a Comment