GENERAL INFORMATION
Once in Panama, there is different ways to travel to Colombia, nevertheless you should know that there is no recomendable way to go there by land as the two countries aren`t connected by a decent road. The Panamerican highway ends right after Yaviza in the Darien Province and from there to the columbian border the so called road is reduced to a small path which makes it impossible to use cars. Even though it is possible to walk through the jungle using a big machete it is not recommended as this area is packed with violent drugdealers and colombian guerrilleros who are not afraid of killing or kidnapping tourists.
PLEASE ALWAYS REMEMBER: IT IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE-THESE GUYS ARE NOT KIDDING!!!
BY PRIVATE SAILBOAT TO CARTAGENA OR SAPZURRO
SEVERAL PRIVATE BOATS ARE OFFERING TO TAKE TRAVELERS TO COLOMBIA: All of them are doing it to make ends meet that´s why they charge between US$ 325 - US$ 385 (bargaining useless!), depending on size and on-board services-!!!Maybe at first sight this looks like a lot of money but remember that the trip usually takes 4-5 days and includes a 2-3 day stopover in the San Blas Islands, 3 meals a day and immigration fees-in other words it is not just the trip to Cartagena it is also an all inclusive vacation in PARADISE!!!- Nevertheless there is no fix timetable which means that sometimes there are 3 boats a week whereas other times of the year there is only one boat per month or no boat at all (especially from January to April when the sea is pretty rough and the winds and currents are pretty strong). In other words, the traveller can`t expect to arrive in Panama, go to the pier, buy a ticket and board the boat. It means rather that you should be prepared to wait a couple of days until the next boat leaves or even be so flexible-in case there is no boat within the next week or so- to take alternative options into account (please see below!).
VERY IMPORTANT:
As captains usually inform us 3-7 days prior to departure it is impossible for us to give any information about departures 2 weeks, 1 month or even further ahead - thanks for your comprehension!
STAY AT ZULYS and get more detailled information on departures and contact persons.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
PUERTO OBALDIA (PANAMA) - CAPURGANA (COLOMBIA)
There is the possibility to fly from Panama to the border town of PUERTO OBALDIA (about $54), get your exit stamp there, go by launch ($15) to CAPURGANA in Colombia and get your entry stamp there. Then take a launch to TURBO (3 hours-$25). Once in Turbo you can take either a northbound bus to Cartagena (7 hours-$30) or a southbound one to Medellin (6 hours-$30). The whole trip is usually pretty save -though we don´t take any resposibility! The only problem is that the flights to Puerto Obaldia are usually full as there are only three flights per week! This means that very often you have to book one week ore even more in advance!
CHEAP O/W Flights Panama -Cartagena/Barranquilla/Perreira/Medellin/CALI
STAY AT ZULYS and you will get information about bargain flights to Panama (one way less than US$ 180!!!)
YACHT CLUBS
Ask at the several Yacht clubs in Panama if they take any passengers with them! This is an option even though it is very unlikely to get a space due to the big number of people asking.
CARGO BOATS
It is also possible to look for a cargo boat which allows passengers on board. We had already people getting a space this way even though it is very hard to find one. Nevertheless their feedback shows that it is not suitable for everybody as it is most of the time not very comfortable and sometimes even dangerous! In case you are not a daredevil who travelled the world this way we wouldn`t recommend it to nobody!!!
STAY AT ZULYS and get more detailed information on departures, contact persons, etc.! | 
