Costa Rica to Panama to Colombia
 

I'm leaving Costa Rica to head to Panama to try to get a boat to Colombia. Anybody out there anywhere near close? I have had boats arranged twice, but they keep seeming to fall through. I'm told it's a very busy time now.

Tried to work through Sylvia at Hostel Wunderbar in Puerto Lindo, Panama, but she didn't bother talking to the boat captain, but did take my money for a reservation AND misquoted the price. Turns out he is fully booked, but can fit my bike on and will do me the favor of letting me sleep on deck ... at full price. I also am supposed to get myself to a different place on the coast with no info as to whether there is anyplace to stay there.

The boat captain told me about a Panama City hostel that arranges boat trips, but when I google them I see reports about how the tourists staying there have been robbed by armed gunmen twice in two months. Great.

I'm trying to get down in and out of Argentina before summer is over there. Since I lived in South America and have seen most of the western side, I can move quickly through.

Anybody else close and interested?

Do you need a boat? I just shipped via Copa and flew on Avianca. Total cost was about a thousand US dollars--cheaper than using Girag. Total time invested was a couple of hours on each end (Panama and Bogota). Bought my passenger ticket two hours before departure.

Or: have you responded to today's post looking for people to share a shipping container? It'll be cheaper than any of the other possibilities if it works, and you can either fly or book one of those sailboats as a passenger.

Hope that helps.

Mark

Hi there what boat are you talking about, is it Golden Eagle?

I know he is heading back to Panama tomorrow and is sailing back here on the 3rd Dec, I did hear he is full but no bikes.

Try and work direct with the captain, I have just been through the Hostel not so Wunderbar, try and stay away is my advice.

It may be easier to fly, but you will miss out on the sailing experience.

Cheers
TS