Cameron, no worries about checking in to Colombia. Make sure your captain checks you *and the bike* out of Panama, very likely he'll do so in El Porvenir. He'll radio ahead or wait till you get to the harbor in Cartagena- there are two agents (we used the 'other guy' than Manfred, but can't think of his name). We got in late, it was until midday the following day before the bike was cleared. No matter.

Make sure you DO NOT take Shenanigans. It was hell.

Thanks guys, any additional info is appreciated.
Cheers

hi guys
 

i recently got a boat from colon to cartagena and all i did was turn up at panama canal yacht club and wait ,i camped out on the canal land over the other side of canal and a few nights at the shelter bay marina as well ,they did not mind if you bought there food and drink from them ,i paid $600 for me and bike and included food and beer ,the boat was Sacanagem with skipper frederico ,awesome boat, he only does panama to cartageana for backpackers, as he does charters for rich colombians to the san blas and they fly home from there ,and he nips across to colon to make some money to get back to colombia ,his boat is the best i saw by far ,i checked my bike out at the customs office just near the yacht club ,they did not ask for any papers to verify this when i was in cartagena ,i went down to the docks and found the right office and with little fuss ,a few fotocopies and i was set .
not sure what the go is with these vests you are meant to wear here though

Nice one dude! I am glad it was easy for you.

I rode through Colombia twice with no vest. I´m sure other people have thier own opinion on this but I say...... don´t bother. I was pulled over a few times, no tickets just conversations. None of the conversations involved a vest either.

Keep an eye out when you leave Cartegena towards Medellin (if you go that route). Once outside of Cartegena there might be some check points for mandatory insurance. Nowhere else in Colombia was I asked for it. We managed to talk our way out of it because we really had no idea that you needed, but I have heard tale of foreign bikes being impounded by these guys on the side of the road. When in doubt ask a cop on the street about Seguro Obligatorio, when you are not on a bike. As a matter of fact I would ask a couple of them in Cartegena before you leave town.

Just my two cents.

Good luck Brother!

no ferry to turbo
 

Hi, just my 5 cents. I crossed a few months ago from Puerto Obaldia (Panama) to Capurgana (Colombia) - Turbo. There is no ferry from Obaldia to Turbo. More details on From USA to Venezuela , solo motorcycle trip Cheers