Panama to Colombia: May 2016 - just finished
 

I just finished crossing from Panama to Colombia in May 2016. If you're looking to cross here's what I found and what I did. I hope this helps others who are trying to do the same thing.

I sailed on the Wild Card to save a bit of money, have some fun, and land in Cartagena instead of Bogota. I wasn't sure I'd get on the ship so I made all the preparations to fly before getting a confirmation from the Wild Card.

You have 2 choices: Fly or Sail.

FLY:

If you want to fly you can fly from Tocumen cargo airport in Panama City to Bogota, Columbia. It's simple:

Contact Leivy Becerra at Air Cargo Pack: logisticapty@aircargopack.com
She will walk you through all the steps. The cost is $1,000 USD (cash only). You can arrive at 8:00am and have your bike in Bogota the same day. The aduana (customs office) is about 100 yards from Air Cargo Pack.

You'll need to book a separate flight for yourself. Total cost is about $1400 USD.

Tel: +507 238-4415/ Móvil: +507 67-800117
GPS for Air Cargo Pack: N9 05.114 W79 22.460

SAIL:

If you'd like to sail I suggest going on the Wild Card. But you need to book early as the ship fills up fast.

Cost is $1100 ($1200 for bikes over 1100CC) for 5 days of sailing (includes food). They can only take 3 bikes, so book early. Book early!!

Panama To Colombia Sailboat - Wild Card Sailing

The trip takes 6 days. It's slow but includes a few days on the San Blas islands. Be prepared for a boat full of backpackers and booze. There is no A/C and not a lot of space on the boat. You'll either be in your bunk or on the deck. You'll snorkel, sunbathe, drink, and watch the waves.

The legal process takes a bit longer than flying. Here are the steps:

Step 1 (min 2 days before departure) You will need the bike inspected by from DIJ in Panama City (Dirección de Investigación Judicial) N8 57.970 W79 32.690. After this you will probably be told to go across the street to the 'Secretaria General' for more paperwork.

Customs: Min 1 day before departure

Collect 'bill of landing document' in Portobelo from Captain Jack's Bar

Once you have that you can go to customs in Colon for clearance/cancelling your import permit. Aduana Colon N9 20.783 W79 52.735

You will need the following:
Bill of landing from the captain (+ 3 copies)
Passport (+ 3 copies)
Temporary import permit from your arrival in Panama (+ 3 copies
Title documents (+ 3 copies
Inspection documents from DIJ the previous day (+ 3 copies)
Any other documents that you have been given pertaining towards the bike during your time in Panama

After you have completed customs clearance you can return to Portobelo the evening before departure to meet the rest of the passengers and crew for a briefing at 19:00hrs. Loading will take place the next day ready for departure in the evening.

-Mark

Thank you Mark. Great information to get the crossing sorted.

Have you any idea how it works the other way round. Columbia to Panama.

As that will be my route later when I get that far.
Cheers Bryan

Maybe that is an option for you
PANAMA - COLOMBIA Tours (Motorcycle transport) | Adventure Rider

The same companies ship both ways. You can use the same contact info and they'll walk you through it.

markwallacephoto
That was lots of time and paper work that you went try in order to cross to Columbia with boat...back and forth up and down the Panama.
Last year I was in Panama and loaded my bike with two other bikers on local vessel which runs from Colon to Turbo,Columbia by the name ' enola gay ' for a sum off 300 US and only paper work that wee head to do is pay 15 US to a custom gay to stamp a papers for export...noting more....and tuk a local lancha ( boat ) 10 hours ride by San blas island to Copargana than next day to Turbo in a high speed boat with two 250 HP Yamaha outboards :) total cost 135 US per person.
Paper work with Colombian custom was 45 min.

ride safe ....kawazoki

Brilliant Up to date first hand info Thanks

Great stuff, thank you for the heads up. I was investigating to go by sailboat and there isn't that many options. Wild Card Sailing was my first choice and I'm not sure if it's the only one! I found some others, but seems like they aren't allowed to operate anymore. All the info out there seems outdated or misleading.

All I can say is that I sent an email to Wild Card and they were very friendly and quick to answer.