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.
The Pan American Highway is continuous from Alaska to Patagonia with one exception. It's a short gap in the road, less than 100 miles long. It starts in the Panamanian province of Darien and is called the Darien Gap. The Darien Gap starts at Yaviza and ends at Turbo, a town in Colombia.
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.
Often a more economical option is to make the crossing by boat. This also gives you the opportunity to experience an extra adventure. Some people simply charter a yacht for the journey. However, many companies offer package deals to travelers and some of these deals are specifically geared toward budget travelers. You may even find a deal where you can work on the boat in exchange for a discount on your passage.
The companies that offer trips from Panama to Colombia usually take passengers across via the San Blas Archipelago. Some of these Panamanian islands are inhabited by an indigenous tribe known as the Kuna, who have a fascinating culture. Most of the islands are uninhabited though and you'll likely get to swim, snorkel or walk on the beach without bumping into another soul except your fellow passengers.
If you've been using public transport for your journey, the crossing will be very straightforward. It becomes more complicated if you've been driving down or if you've been traveling by bike. However, you don't have to leave your car or bike behind in Panama. You can simply have it shipped over separately by contacting one of the companies that offer this service. A motorcycle or bicycle is small enough to load onto a cargo plane too.
Finding an operator that will take you from Panama to Colombia by boat is very easy. Many advertise in Panamanian hostels but you can also look online. The crossing is usually quite safe and while it might be rough during the windy dry season, there is almost no risk of hurricanes.
The Pan American Highway is continuous from Alaska to Patagonia with one exception. It's a short gap in the road, less than 100 miles long. It starts in the Panamanian province of Darien and is called the Darien Gap. The Darien Gap starts at Yaviza and ends at Turbo, a town in Colombia.
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.
Often a more economical option is to make the crossing by boat. This also gives you the opportunity to experience an extra adventure. Some people simply charter a yacht for the journey. However, many companies offer package deals to travelers and some of these deals are specifically geared toward budget travelers. You may even find a deal where you can work on the boat in exchange for a discount on your passage.
The companies that offer trips from Panama to Colombia usually take passengers across via the San Blas Archipelago. Some of these Panamanian islands are inhabited by an indigenous tribe known as the Kuna, who have a fascinating culture. Most of the islands are uninhabited though and you'll likely get to swim, snorkel or walk on the beach without bumping into another soul except your fellow passengers.
If you've been using public transport for your journey, the crossing will be very straightforward. It becomes more complicated if you've been driving down or if you've been traveling by bike. However, you don't have to leave your car or bike behind in Panama. You can simply have it shipped over separately by contacting one of the companies that offer this service. A motorcycle or bicycle is small enough to load onto a cargo plane too.
Finding an operator that will take you from Panama to Colombia by boat is very easy. Many advertise in Panamanian hostels but you can also look online. The crossing is usually quite safe and while it might be rough during the windy dry season, there is almost no risk of hurricanes.
