Panama-Columbia
 

Independence vs Stahlratte?
I am trying to figure out what to do in the following weeks as I have to be back in Germany for my sisters wedding in the beginning of july.
First of all, there is the time question: I am in Antigua/Guatemala heading to El Salvador tomorrow. What is a realistic time that I need for all the different countries between here and Panama? Would the 14th of june be a good date? (steelrat) or rather the 6th or the 20th oj june(independence)? considering that I have to find a place to store the bike in Columbia (for maybe 2 or 3 months)
The other option is to store it in Panama, but as far as I know, I would not have that many days to store it there?
Any arguments for or against the different boats?

Thanks for any help!

The difference between the 6th, 14th and 20th of June is not going to have much of an impact in the end. The difference between the Independence and the Stahlratte just might. Read the trip reports about Independence carefully, then make your decision.

No one can really tell you whether a month is enough time to cover the 5 countries between you and the boat to Colombia--in fact, it's nowhere near enough time, but it's simultaneously plenty of time. All depends on how you like to travel.

Hope that's oddly helpful.

Mark

Agree with this Toby, whatever we have done it never seems to be enough but you also have to make progress to see what is around the next corner.

We are on the Stahlratte 14 June, not even interested in the Independence after our mates crossed, they are very open minded people and have NOTHING nice to say at all about it.

Not swaying you, just saying.

I have done the trip 4 times ( live in Panama City). The fastest was 5 days from Antigua to Panama City... definitely not recommended. The slowest was 6 weeks around central america. Plenty of interest to keep you occupied.

In other words, take whatever time you can and enjoy it. If you're going to arrive in Panama City before June 6 drop me a note and I'll buy you a beer here. After that I'm gone for two weeks.

Let me know if you want any specific information or ideas. I don't know the boats. When I went to South America I flew the bike from here to Bogota. I've heard good things about the Stahlratte, but other boats can be highly variable.