Panama was once part of Colombia. Today, this small independent country is unique in that it joins two continents and two oceans. It joins South America with North America. Through its famous canal, it joins the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Many cruising yachts are attracted by this uniqueness and go sailing from Panama to Colombia each year.
A popular route stretches from the northern Panamanian coast through the Caribbean Sea to Cartagena, Barranquilla and then Santa Marta, three large cities along the northern coast of Colombia. This route covers a total distance of about 500 nautical miles, depending on the exact start- and end-points. Since the journey can take about five days of nonstop sailing, many yachts stagger their journey with at least one stop along the way.
One common start point is Colon, the main city at the Atlantic Ocean end of the Panama Canal. The city is located at the mouth of the Bahia de Manzanillo (Limon Bay). Although Colon is a busy commercial port, it does not have marina facilities for recreational craft. Pleasure yachts arriving from Europe or the USA usually berth a few nautical miles west of the city at the marina in Shelter Bay, sitting at the tip of the western arm of Limon Bay.
The Shelter Bay marina is a modern facility with top class marine equipment and excellent recreational amenities including a restaurant, bar, TV lounge, gym, pool, rest rooms and showers. Its provides excellent Wi-fi Internet connection throughout the compound, including the yacht berths.
The marina at Shelter Bay is surrounded by extensive natural jungle, being located within the San Lorenzo National Park. The park has wonderful walking trails and is home to an interesting variety of wildlife. There are also several varieties of monkeys. Birds include the large, green Amazon mealy parrot and oropendola.
There is a daily bus that leaves Shelter Bay marina for Colon, allowing cruisers easy access to large El Rey supermarkets, smaller specialty grocery stores, and other retail establishments in the city.
Upon leaving Shelter Bay, many yachts head south for the gorgeous Archipelago de San Blas, a long stretch of more than 300 small coral isles. Only forty of these islands are inhabited. There are no resorts, restaurants or high-rise developments. Not surprisingly therefore, there are no marina facilities, but this is compensated by many excellent anchorages.
The San Blas archipelago is populated by Guna (or Kuna) Indians, a distinctive indigenous native group with its own language and culture, originally from Colombia. The history of this native group stretches back more than five centuries to before the arrival of Columbus. The Guna have proudly kept their heritage intact. Many live a traditional life in simple cane and thatch huts, some without basic facilities such as electricity, running water or modern sanitation. They refused outsiders to study their traditions and culture until the middle of the twentieth century. The opportunity to visit the San Blas and interact with the Guna is a compelling prospect that drives some yacht cruisers to go sailing from Panama to Colombia.
A popular route stretches from the northern Panamanian coast through the Caribbean Sea to Cartagena, Barranquilla and then Santa Marta, three large cities along the northern coast of Colombia. This route covers a total distance of about 500 nautical miles, depending on the exact start- and end-points. Since the journey can take about five days of nonstop sailing, many yachts stagger their journey with at least one stop along the way.
One common start point is Colon, the main city at the Atlantic Ocean end of the Panama Canal. The city is located at the mouth of the Bahia de Manzanillo (Limon Bay). Although Colon is a busy commercial port, it does not have marina facilities for recreational craft. Pleasure yachts arriving from Europe or the USA usually berth a few nautical miles west of the city at the marina in Shelter Bay, sitting at the tip of the western arm of Limon Bay.
The Shelter Bay marina is a modern facility with top class marine equipment and excellent recreational amenities including a restaurant, bar, TV lounge, gym, pool, rest rooms and showers. Its provides excellent Wi-fi Internet connection throughout the compound, including the yacht berths.
The marina at Shelter Bay is surrounded by extensive natural jungle, being located within the San Lorenzo National Park. The park has wonderful walking trails and is home to an interesting variety of wildlife. There are also several varieties of monkeys. Birds include the large, green Amazon mealy parrot and oropendola.
There is a daily bus that leaves Shelter Bay marina for Colon, allowing cruisers easy access to large El Rey supermarkets, smaller specialty grocery stores, and other retail establishments in the city.
Upon leaving Shelter Bay, many yachts head south for the gorgeous Archipelago de San Blas, a long stretch of more than 300 small coral isles. Only forty of these islands are inhabited. There are no resorts, restaurants or high-rise developments. Not surprisingly therefore, there are no marina facilities, but this is compensated by many excellent anchorages.
The San Blas archipelago is populated by Guna (or Kuna) Indians, a distinctive indigenous native group with its own language and culture, originally from Colombia. The history of this native group stretches back more than five centuries to before the arrival of Columbus. The Guna have proudly kept their heritage intact. Many live a traditional life in simple cane and thatch huts, some without basic facilities such as electricity, running water or modern sanitation. They refused outsiders to study their traditions and culture until the middle of the twentieth century. The opportunity to visit the San Blas and interact with the Guna is a compelling prospect that drives some yacht cruisers to go sailing from Panama to Colombia.
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