From Quito, Ecuador to Panama City, Panama - April, 2002

They were the only people that we could find to fly two bikes from Quito to Panama. The bikes were charged on a unit basis, irrespective of weight. We sent luggage with the bikes and the combined weight was about 550kg.

Transport was with Avianca to Bogota, and Copa Airlines to Panama City. Flights left a day early (?) and arrived a day late.

Costs were US$500 per bike, plus US$70 per bike as a "Dangerous Goods" levy. We also paid a US$50 agency fee to a third party as we did not have Ecuadorian entry stamps for the bikes.

We were told to drain all the fuel, disconnect the battery, and let the air out of the tires. In the end we kept our reserve tanks full, and only let a little air out. The bikes could be riden off the loading trays in Panama.

Be especially careful with the loading of the bikes. Insist on supervising as the packers were incredibly inept. They only offered two straps for the two bikes and when we solicited more they succeeded in hooking them around every cable and hose they could find. We used some of our own tension straps but we never saw them again after the bikes were inspected in Bogota.

Everything arrived unscathed in Panama but the bags had been searched. We did not pay any storage as we were at the Cargo Terminal to meet the bikes.

The aduana was located in the same complex so we paid $10 for a taxi, and (I think) $12 or $20 for documentation on the Panamanian side.

Our own flights cost $270 per person for the same routing. The return tickets were cheaper than one ways but if buying a oneway make sure that you can fly Colombia-Panama on such a ticket.

(If you have problems on the Ecuadorian side Ricardo Rocco continues to provide excellent assistance to bikers).