the cheapest and safe way to travel from Columbia to Panama

Andy-NY says on Aug 10, 2005, 14:42:

I think you............... I think you have to fly. It's only 45 minutes and it's relatively inexpensive. There might be other ways, but people recommended flying. I asked the same question to a few people when I was there.

Andrew-NY

Andrew-NY

ColombiaBoard says on Aug 10, 2005, 19:26:

How to... Yes, flying is the only safe way to do it, there are five daily flights from Panama City to Colombia (Medellin, Bogota, Cartagena, Cali, Barranquilla).
Some people who don´t want to pay about 150 dollars for the flight choose to go to Colon or some other port and find a boat that will transport them usually to Cartagena, they wind up paying the same amount of money because then they have to pay for a bus or two and sleep in some small town before reaching their final destination.

Gomezman5 says on Aug 10, 2005, 19:38:

Isazhou You are worried about saving money. Might I suggest that you worry about saving your life. Or to put it another way, I will invoke the old American cliche', "Your money or your wife".

Let me level with you, the area around the Colombia/Panama border is quite dangerous. There are guerilla forces to contend with, and busses are frequent targets of guerillas. Finally, the terrain, to the extent that there is any between Colombia and into southern Panama is not too good.

Are you trying to prove that you are brave or ????......just skip it man....forget it!

Elbigie says on Aug 11, 2005, 05:09:

Isazhou,

Must be a long , long, long trip by bus from Panama to Columbia (Distric of Columbia???). On the other hand forget a trip From Panama to COLOMBIA in SA (once again ColOOOOOOombia) because there are not roads, and no buses. The Darien Gap (Tapon del DARIEN) is infested with paramilitares and guerrilla. Get instead a cheap flight from Panama to Cartagena (COLOMBIA).

Elbigie says on Aug 11, 2005, 05:19:

aja al reves... See I got confused too. ANyhow, West Caribbean Airways and AIRES have connections from CARTEGANA to Panama. .

Gomezman5 says on Aug 11, 2005, 09:18:

Copa has direct flights to Panama City You can fly Copa which has direct flights from both Bogota and Cali to Panama City. They are a decent air lines, they have modern planes, and you will arrive in Panama City safely and securely.

Forget about the road route. It's dangerous. Period May I also add that this question has come up on this forum many times. You can Google this site and you will see the same answers again and again, advising people in the stronges possible way not to attempt to this trip by land.

If you think you can defy the odds...then go ahead

lilivegav says on Aug 11, 2005, 12:44:

You can travel by boat or ship Well, there are non passangers boats or ships from Cartagena to Panamá, but sometines you can talk to the sailing companies and they will let you go in one of their ships. Any way is not very eassy to make it...so its better if you take a plane!!

And the reason why you can cross from Colombia to Panama by bus is because the border ir a protected rain forest and theres no way the gobermen will build a highway...

ronald1168 says on Aug 12, 2005, 15:33:

Bus to Panama If you don't want to get kidnapped then do not take a bus to Panama,
this is very dangerous

Ronald Donders
London
ronald at donders.co.uk

ronald@donders.co.uk

vicshere says on Aug 13, 2005, 22:44:

Ronald there is no bus period not ever a drivable road..getting kidnapped on an imaginary bus is pretty hard....its swap and rainforest full of alligators, snakes and mosquitos that suck the life out of you.....just look Darin Gap in goggle...it pretty self explanatory

listo
"con mucho gusto"
Vic
homepage
http://spaces.msn.com/members/jacintoplace

listo

carter says on Aug 14, 2005, 14:24:

Sorry that people on this site have miss informed you but few of them have travelled around the country and I wish they wouldn't give advice on something they no nothing of.

The plane is not the only option

The boat ride from Colombia to Panama is definatly an option. I myself have never done the trip but have met many who have. Cost wise you´re not going to save that much money, but depending on who you travel with you may be able to include a few days around the San Blas Islands or visit some other nice beaches.

It is more of an adventure than another plane flight and safety wise it is not a problem. Although I have met one group who were far from happy from the skipper they ended up with who was a drunk and had little of the food he promised.

It is best to organise the trip with other travellers. I suggest going to the Casa Vienna in Cartagena where you should met other travellers who are interested or the staff there can give you more advice.

vicshere says on Aug 14, 2005, 15:23:

cater I think you should have stated "that some people have misinformed you" NOT "people on this site have miss informed you" choose you words man cause as I can see it you said I misinformed him to or are you saying

listo
"con mucho gusto"
Vic
homepage
http://spaces.msn.com/members/jacintoplace

listo

carter says on Aug 14, 2005, 15:46:

sorry Vicshere I meant to say SOME people on this site have mis informed you. My grudge is definatly against those on this site that write what they know nothing about.

Nothing against you though Vic, see you live in Bucaramanga, you give most of your advice to those travelling to Santander and make comments about things you know about. You are a foriegner living in Colombia so you know what its like and can make comments about it.
You can make honest comments about other areas in Colombia through your own travels and the travels of those people you meet.

My beef is more with G5, I get annoyed at someone who writes that the plane is the only option. Obviously this person knows little of the travel options between the two countries so why has he bothered to post.

Isazhou it also possible to travel overland although I do not recommend it and think its extremely dangerous. It has been done though and if you search through old posts you´ll find information about that. So you have 3 options but I strongly do not recommend travelling overland and from what Ive heard the boat ride has been a highlight for many travelling the area.

I started getting over the top on this post and I think I´ll make it a new thread and leave this one open for others who want to give Isazhou more advice on the different options availbale to him.

crispeta says on Aug 25, 2005, 09:51:

la miel sapsurro going by boat down the coast is safe I was there over new years. It is a great adventure!