Crossing the Darien Gap by boat (Colombia - Panama)

[Bobmans]

Hi all,

I’m quite new to the forum and whole Horizons Unlimited thing, but I have a question about shipping my bike (XT600e, 2001) from Colombia to Panama.

At the moment I’m stuck for a week or two in Cartagena as my starter motor broke. I’m waiting for that part and afterwards I’d like to go to Panama. The only problem that I have is that I can’t find anyone who knows someone who could help me with that. I’ve been asking around here for the last couple of days, but I’m beginning to feel a bit desperate.

Is there anyone who knows someone who could give me a good tip and/or a contact? I already heard that I could go to Turbo (Colombia) and find someone there, but it feels quite sketchy if I don’t know that person.

Thanks in advance, I’m looking forward to hearing from you all!

Bob (25, the Netherlands)

[GenXrider]

If you want to cross the Darien by boat, then you will be leaving from Turbo 95% of the time.

Yes, it's sketchy, you are going to have to go to Turbo and ask around.
Also, take a look at an Itchy Boots video from when she crossed the Darien.

With the huge amount of migrants in Necocli right now, I'm sure they are focused on getting people across, not so much bikes.

[Turbofurball]

There was a news story earlier this week about rising violent crime against immigrants crossing the gap by boat, so best to tread cautiously to avoid getting caught up in any of that. The video Itchy Boots took made it look sketchy.

[tohellnback]

Bob you have not gone to the right mechanic, a starter can be repaired in Colombia with in half a day anywhere , nobody waits for a new starter this is a very basic part that probably 150 different motorcycles use the identical internals
Itchy boots paid a shit load of money and made it dramatic in her video. that's why she has unlimited means to travel and have plenty of Bucks . And it not like she is hurting on the financial situation.
You are in a world of deception if you dont know how to deal with Colombians and want to go from Colombia to Panama with a small boat so be careful , your bike is not worth a lot but your bank account is worth more
Fly your bike to Panama and you won't have to deal with uncertainty
but if you are up to to the real adventure and have lots of bucks, take a boat
Personally I would stay the F out of Turbo or Nicoli this is a place where the opportunists will hunt you down Be careful your a target if you are traveling alone

[mika]

Hi Bob,



I guess you have seen my post from September.



https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...ots-sep-104734


Maybe first contact Overland Embassy in Panama City for flying your bike or sharing a container from Cartagena.



Turbo and Necocli are not safe places. Also Capurgana and further North in Panama can be dangerous as well.



I dont know you, I dont know how good your Spanish is and how much experience traveling you have. But I strongly recommend you dont do it alone if you take speedboats up the coast.



Pm me if you have more questions.



Saludos mika

[Alanymarce]

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