Darien Gap PANAMA>COLOMBIA

**marcosusabue** · #1 10 Feb 2005

Any info on crossing my bike over to Colombia, Venezuela or Brazil from Costa Rica or Panama will be appreciated. I am riding from California to Argentina.

**Grant Johnson** · #2 10 Feb 2005

Check the TripPlanning / Shipments by travellers link on the left of the HUBB pages.

Also search the site on DARIEN gap for lots of info.

THE way to deal with the Darien is to fly over it, or possible sail around it.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**Stretcher Monkey** · #3 10 Feb 2005

I intend to get a boat from Cartagena to Colon. Darien Gap is otherwise impassable. Do a search as Grant says - the most tempting option is the 'Melody'.

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"There's no justice, just us".
2004 650 KLR, Venezuela

**Jake Dury** · #4 17 Jul 2005

I stayed at Hostel Voyager in Panama City and they had a bunch of flyers for yachts that carry passengers from Colon to Cartagena. I met two guys who were taking their bikes too. One had a really nice KTM I was quite jealous of. Cost was around $250 for the 4-5 day trip. I know that included food and everything but they might have had to pay extra for the bike. They usually stop at the San Blas islands for a day on the way. You should not have a problem showing up and finding a boat quickly, with the possible exception of during hurricane season.

**yoni** · #5 17 Jul 2005

Darien Gap
Hi adventurers
Waht is the matter with you guys? is it not THE MOTHER OF ALL MC Adventure rides?
Do you know of someone that did the gap lately?
Comeon Helge say a word

yoni

**Grant Johnson** · #6 18 Jul 2005

Yoni,

the problem isn't the riding of it - it's the drug runners and guerillas that "own" the area and do NOT want any interference.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**pallara** · #7 18 Jul 2005

hi everybody,
Well it costs around $350 for same day flying of your bike to Columbia. But then you have to pay for yourself aswell, and i think its around $150. And yes i stayed in the Voyager backpackers too, quite good, and WAY to many

s.I want to be there now!

**Twintraveller** · #8 20 Jul 2005

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000597.html

**Werner** · #9 21 Jul 2005

Hi Yoni,
Now that you're in the motorcycle adventure touring business, why not arrange a tour through the "gap?" I'll be the first to sign up with you. Werner.

**yoni** · #10 21 Jul 2005

Hi Werner
Long time, nice hearing from you.
I'm now in and out from Turkey and Greece. The D.Gape is a dream I'm going to put on hold for the moment.
I'll contact you privetly.
Yoni

**Chris Smith** · #11 22 Jul 2005

For getting the bike from Panama to Columbia try Careful Captain (Mark). He ships regularly both ways for around $250 per person and per bike. ie. $500 for both. Email me directly for his email and tel. Don´t want to give it here as its bad manners to publicly give out email addresses!

Regards CHris

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**Rufcut** · #12 30 Jul 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by Grant Johnson:
Yoni,

the problem isn't the riding of it - it's the drug runners and guerillas that "own" the area and do NOT want any interference.

Hi Grant. Would you ride it if it was completely safe from human interference ?

**Grant Johnson** · #13 31 Jul 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by Rufcut:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="">quote:</font><HR><font face="" size="2">Originally posted by Grant Johnson:
Yoni,

the problem isn't the riding of it - it's the drug runners and guerillas that "own" the area and do NOT want any interference.

Hi Grant. Would you ride it if it was completely safe from human interference ?

</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's a tough one to answer - mainly because mostly you DON'T "ride" it - you drag, push, pull, winch up hills, cut down trees and brush, neck-deep in the swamp pushing the bike in a canoe etc. I don't have the exact numbers to hand, but it seems to my failing memory that Helge's trip through was two guys, one motorcycle, a few native helpers on occasion, and 17 days to do 30 odd miles. The total "Gap" is about 67 miles, but some of it is sorta rideable.

If that sounds like fun to you, go for it!

Yes, once upon a time I probably would have, but I think I'm finally getting smart enough to say no!

[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 30 July 2005).]

**Werner** · #14 31 Jul 2005

Another must-read if interested in the Gap is Ed Culberson: Obsessions Die Hard. Still available in print.

**yoni** · #15 31 Jul 2005

Doing the Gap is not "a smart" "an obsession" or any bravery. it is a stretch of land one thinks he can cleverly do or not. I've got a friend at work that say I'm crazy riding off road, and a sister that thinks riding a bike is madness.Planning to go by a bike across the Sahara is foolish, and seeng Greece on two wheels is a waste of time... and some think doing the Gap is not for them, so let it be.I hope that those that see it as an adventure will do it smart.

BTW Werner, did you get my reply?
Yoni