Colombian shipping agents
 

Dear All

Has anyone had a good experience with Colombian shipping agents? I am want to ship/fly my bike from Cali/Medillen to either Mexico or The US and what an agent that is relatively professional. I can fly out with Copa Air, but I still need an agent to handle the paperwork.

I'm currently in Cali and staying at the Casa Blanca GS, where the owner, Mark, is pretty clued up, but any info would help.

Thanks in advance for your assistance, ciao.

I'm currently doing the same research in Bogotá.

Bogotá seems the best place to fly out in Colombia. Many agents here but the most experienced on motorcycle transport seem to be Girag and COPA Cargo.

Check HUs shipments by travellers: Lyncargo asked Bogotá to Miami (US) around 1000USD-ish or a bit more for the bike, ticket per person cheapest I found is 150USD-ish with BlueJet. If you want to skip all the Central-America and swine flu panic in Mexico.

From Bogotá to Panama City 800USD fixed (price was quoted just yesterday directly from Girag) - no matter how small or big bike you have. They fly to Panama City every wendsday, thursday, friday and sunday with the cargo plane. You have to bring the bike in their office one day before the flight, easy as that. I've heard some bad stories as well from other travellers, where bikes are getting a bit damaged (scratched, dented, etc) with the airport-transport, but apparently minor cases (fingers crossed on our attempt).

Another option is from Cartagena to Panama with the sailing ship (a bit cheaper, less convenient, longer, but at least you see the Carribean :) ).

Take your pick.

Girag - no problems
 

We used Girag and had no issues with them. If you like you can read about the 'process' here

2ridetheworld.com : diary

go to the 30-11-2006 entry.

it was a little while ago - but in the end no probs.

I used Copa Cargo. They were super professional and cheaper than Girag.

In Panama City Girag made me wait for 1 hour then gave me a $300 higher quote than Copa ($1000). I did all the paperwork myself (there really wasn't much anyway, atleast going from Panama to Colombia).

My understanding is that flying into the US is more strict, so you may be better off flying into Mexico.

doing a search and this looked good
 

We are looking to go from Panama to Cartegena in November and turned this up, it looks good but have no first hand knowledge

Backpacker Hostel Wunderbar - Home

and the price is better

if you should try their boats, please let me know how it went