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Monday, February 3, 2014

Tips On Sailing From Panama To Colombia

By Jayne Rutledge


It is not possible to travel by road from Panama to Colombia. This is because there are no roads through the border. The area between the countries is composed of pure jungle. The terrain is rough and the Panamanian government was not willing to construct a road because they are afraid that the war in Colombia might spill over. Sailing from Panama to Colombia is an alternative to flying.

The distance to be sailed is about three hundred miles. There is no ferry service but there are sail boats that travelers can use to get to Cartagena. This service comes at a fee of course. The whole trip usually takes approximately 5 days. Travelers have the opportunity to spend some time on San Blas islands which are a few miles off the Panamanian coast. These islands are very remote but they have good reefs and marine life.

There is the risk of coming across pirates while sailing but the number of cases that have been reported here are very few. The only other risk is unpredictable storms. If you want to embark on this trip it is important to seek information from the hotel management where you are staying in Panama. Most of the time, the arrangements will take a few days.

You should receive information from the captain when the boat is ready. The trip from the town to the vessel will be arranged as well. Travelers are usually expected to wake up early on that day so that you can arrive at the boat in time. You may be asked to produce your passports on the way where there are checkpoints. The journey through the mountains offers a spectacular view as you are able to see the Caribbean coast.

When you get to the edge of the water you need to go aboard a small canoe that will take you to the San Blas islands. The people who operate the canoes belong to the indigenous tribes that live on the islands. They are responsible for running the islands and this is the reason why they are undeveloped.

When you arrive on the islands you need to switch to a large vessel that will take you all the way to Cartagena. The vessel is very comfortable because you will be spending several days and nights on it. You will make stopovers on different islands along the way. While traveling, you have the option of engaging in activities such as swimming round shipwrecks, watching for sharks as well as snorkeling.

The fourth and fifth days have little activity. This is because most of the time will be spent in the open sea in the Caribbean. On the six day you arrive at your destination. The first day is mostly spent on the island of Porvenir. This is where an airstrip is located.

The journey is tiring but full of fun. You will get good hospitality and there are plenty of activities to engage in along the way. When sailing from Panama to Colombia it is advisable to plan ahead. Make the necessary arrangements in advance so that the journey is successful.




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