Info for travelers – Panama to Columbia. We are currently in Portobelo Panama, leaving for Cartegena Colombia tomorrow aboard the ‘Melody’. This is the info we have gathered.
Lots of sailboats leaving for Columbia, but only a couple will take motorcycles.
Some ones that will take bikes:
-‘Melody’ Captain Marcos – email freshaircharters(at)yahoo.com
phone 6 669 9359 cost $275US per person and same for bike
-´Stahlratte´ – email info.steelrat(at)les-raisting.de phone 636 6032
-´Seeadler´ - Captain Guido email DLEL(at)sailmail.com ??
What I would do is try to contact one of these before reaching Panama City and set up a date to sail. Otherwise, go to one of the hostels in Panama City – Travellers or Mamalena(a better place to stay) (They are right beside each other), and check their bulletin boards and talk to backpackers. You will get many names of sailboats, all charging $250-275 for about 5 days from Portobelo (on the Colon side) to San Blas Islands for a couple of days, then on to Cartengena, Colombia.
Other than that head straight for Portobelo and hang out at the Drake where all the sailboat captains hangout and ask around (or someone will just approach you). Don’t count on it taking less than 5 days to arrange as the boats usually aren’t leaving for a day or five(or until they get enough people – usually 6-8), unless you have made previous arrangements and have a set day to sail.
Apparently getting more difficult to get bikes into Columbia this way as bikes are considered cargo and not supposed to arrive via sailboat – we will update when we get to the other side as to what we encountered.
Other option is to fly bikes via Girag (223-8328) or Copa (507 304 2660) out of Panama City to Bogota. Really easy to arrange – basically roll your bike into Girag, they do paperwork, and you buy your ticket to fly same day as your bike and Girag in Colombia will do paperwork at that end and you are rolling within 3 hours of landing. More expensive though – about US$650 for the bike and tickets for you $US250-290 via Girag and slightly cheaper via Copa. No problems with salt water on your bikes though…. Girag takes 2 days to set it up.
Sweet travels!!!
Arrived in Cartagena, no problems with bikes. Paperwork took a couple of hours. Captain´s agent stamped us in, we went to Hotel Holiday(Media Luna)near old walled part of city for the night, next morning picked up passports, went to DIAN to start moto import paperwork, went back to boat and unloaded bikes and rode to DIAN as they wanted to see them, waited around for more paperwork and were done easy. Couple of hours, no cost. One hitch - if we were asked how boats got here, were to say on a Colombian banana boat out of Colon, we were on sailboat, but were not asked. Need cheap moto vests here - mesh vests with day glo strips and license no on back and on back of helmet as well. Easy to get. Crazy city to ride in - but beautiful. Heading south tomorrow.
Bon Voyage!!

Good report.
Thanks for taking the time. :thumb

definately!
this is exactly the information I was looking for!
thanks guys
david

forgot to ask you guys how you went about getting your pasport and bike documents stamped out of panama.
david

I would just like to add, because you are a tourist, you DO NOT require to wear a vest in Colombia. I was a little confused with the issue when i arrived, but after two months of travelling in Colombia i can personally confirm that they are nor required. The parerwork on the other hand, i sugest you have it readily available for inspection. You WILL be asked for this on several ocasions. There is a very strong policia and military presence throughout Colombia. Not to worry though, they are all very helpful and for the most part, not corrupt, compared to C. America anyway. Enjoy! Colombia esta major!!

Hi
Captain of boat took care of stamping out passport in Porvenir as for the Panama mc paperwork-did nothing. (Captain controls your passports for the entire voyage - another good reason to have a reliable Captain...) Colombia is great - beautiful and friendly people. Police and army presence just there for your safety (and they love to talk to bikers - hope your Spanish is better than ours..) Great experience!!!!
And right about the vests - we have them tucked away..... don´t need them...

looking to get 2 bikes and a truck from panama to columbia. any hints or answers out there? or leads, for that matter.

I have info, and am looking for someone to share a container with for next week. There's a boat leaving on the 17th, hopefully another sooner. I have a van and can fit in one, maybe even two bikes. PLEASE contact me! The company I may deal with is Barwil Agencies, but there's also Marfret who are supposed to be cheaper. I've been the name of juan carlos leon from oceanus maritima de panama,236-6954. When are you going?? Where are yu now???
Lorraine

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http://igg.me/at/AWildLife

www.LorraineChittock.com
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hi guys i need some info and suggestion about this sailing trip.
is there anty boats will you recommend??

want to leave at the end of june from cartagena.
did anyone had problem with moto's papers at the panama border?
thanks a lot

Please note that most of the information in this stream is out of date (2007-2007). Prices are WAY out of date. Look for more current posts.

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Steve Barnett
Panama City, Panama

I know that this information is sorely out of date, but is there any updates information that would be cheaper that the 1100$ Usd cruise?

Once you get in Panama go to Colone port and look for captain Pedro who runs banana boat name = Dori Gil= and for 300 US is going to cost you to transport motorcycle to Turbo,Columbia and you can take Cuna Indian's boat ride to same city for additional 100 US with stop over at Obaldia and Capurgana for immigration stamp...
I did it last year and head a blast...
Hope this my help.

safe ride ................. kawazoki

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Serbia to Japan 2014
Central and South America 2016

Sorry to ask way too many questions, but how does one deal with the Temporary Import papers if taking the banana boat. Do you have to get your export inspection in Panama then find a port of entry in turbo? Also did you have to take three separate boats or just one with the three stops? I have read several write ups, but each seem to explain that they took different boats between each of the cities.

Cheers in advance!

Once you get all settled with captan Pedro transport....right by the gate is custom office which is going to stamp your papers for a fee of 15 to 20 US and this price can be negotiated....and boat story is that you haw to take 3 different boats to get to Turbo,Columbia but they are connected so it is actually hopping from one to another ....great way to cross the D.Gap

Safe ride

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Serbia to Japan 2014
Central and South America 2016

hi my first post here is to add another option for travelers

if you want to go from Puerto Lindo (next to Portobelo) to Cartagena in a legendary sailing boat with your bike please contact us.


_UPDATE WE HAVE A NEW DATE 14 of february 2017
-availability is to be confirmed, depends of your bike dimensions. but send us a message!

best way is via whatsapp +507 6234 4539
our website is https://lapostesailingclub.org/



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