How to Sail From Colombia To Panama on a Cargo Boat

The stretch of land that separates Colombia and Panama, called the Darien Gap can only be crossed over by plane or by boat. While many sailboats offer the 5 day journey for $400 to $600.

I made this journey for $40 sailing on a cargo boat through the San Blas islands

Planes leave once a week but you also have the option to wait for the next cargo boat returning to Colombia.

Cargo boats leave from Colon in Colombia loaded with merchandise they drop off through the San Blas islands. You can get on a boat from Colon to Panama as well. The trip takes about 11 days.

On their way back, cargo boats stop back to each island to get paid. The trip, this way around lasts about 5 days. This is the trip we took.

Get to the Immigration office to stamp your passport out of Colombia.

Once your passport is stamped, get another boat to Panama.

In Puerto Obaldia, waiting for a boat can take several days. The town feels like a no man’s land but it grows on you by the time you are ready to leave.

You will arrive in Puerto Obaldia. Get to the immigration office and stamp your passport in.

When I arrive in Puerto Obaldia, I was the only foreigner in town. I started to freak out and wonder if getting on a cargo boat all by myself was a smart move.

By the evening, I met a couple from Argentina and we decided to travel together.

The next day we met more travelers and by the time our boat was ready to launch, four days later, we were a group of 11 backpackers.

In Turbo, get a boat (launcha) to Capurgana. It is about 2.5 hour trip.

Get to the Immigration office to stamp your passport out of Colombia.