Shipping from Panama to Colombia:
There are also many blogs and information web pages on the shipping of vehicles, perhaps the most informative ones are :
http://www.drivetheamericas.com/wiki/vehicle-shipping-across-darien-gap
In July 2013 we used Tea Kalalback contactable on:
Tea lives in Argentina and it is her daughter Amy Durham (amy_durham9@hotmail.com) who will look after you in Panama.
They can also be contacted at http://www.cruzarpanama.blogspot.com
Tea organised the storage of our vehicles for 6 months in Panama at US$10/day when we first arrived in Panama in early December 2012 until July 2013
As we have two vehicles that would fit into a 40’ High Cube this was our quotation:
USD 2,200 ( Normal or High Cube 40 Foot container) is all Panama Costs and the processing for that will take 2 days. A 20’ Ft was US$ 1,450. Sailing is every Sunday.
This does not include the charges in Colombia.
She needs for the booking one week before shipment:
-name, nationality, passport number,
-vehicle: year, colour, plate, model, chassis/motor or vin
-dimensions, weight.
One Day -DIJ Police Inspection in Panama.
One Day -loading at Port in Colon, 80 Kms from the city.
All this went well and Amy was very good.
You may also wish to try:
Boris G. Jaramillo
Ever Logistics, Inc.
e-mail: sales3@everlogistics.net
e-mail: boris_jaramillo@hotmail.com
Phone: (507) 431-0390 / 431-0391 / 431-0392 / 431-0393 / 431-0394
Fax : (507) 431-0395
Cel.: (507) 6213-3485
This was his information:
Sailing: Sundays . . . last day to entry at port: Thursday (at least Friday but we try to avoid it). Processing time in Panama for the shipment: 2 days. One in the city and then you could go to Colon: custom and Port.
Documents:
passport/3rd party insurance (you have to buy when you enter Panama USD 15.00 its mandatory) title, drive license and the Control Vehicular that you receive from custom. original and 5 copies.
Cost:
-1x40 USD 1,800.00 (this is to share costs and space with another car, which is ideal and less expensive for each one. They are a lot of travellers . . . if you see someone ask them and I would also check by my side and we keep in touch about it.)
All in Panama . . . freight, documentation, terminal fees from Port, bunker and we guide you.
Load port Thursday or Wednesday and the day before we began the process in the city. So, 2 business days for shipping processes. One in the city and another 80 kms in Colon, to customs and port.
Processing:
the idea is to start Tuesday to load Wednesday or Wednesday to load Thursday.
Sometimes one arrives late and we ask for time at port to load Friday . . . but we have to book latest Monday/Tuesday to obtain the confirmation from equipment and space.
Payment:cash or transfer.
In Cartagena estimated USD 500.00 as we say other passengers between port, insurance, customs clearance and shipping.
• At all times we guide and this means: give us the data we need to coordinate entry into port, documentation, and I say this day / this time / this place. . .
then I had a copy of the documentation, shipping address and confirmed in the output destination. So, once you entered the car to the port and you handle yourself in the container continues communication with us and being a traveler in Cartagena.
• on arrival if you want an agent you reporting to us… we pre-notify it and he will coordinate with you. I know that the management of the assistance is approx. USD 180.00 to USD 200.00 The vast majority do and processes alone are two days to take. Among embark and disembark calculates about 9 days. . . since it is the weekend in between.
Personal Travel Panama to Colombia:
It is possible to fly from Panama to Cartagena, however taking into account the flight and accommodation costs both ends, we found it better and more interesting to sail.
We highly recommend Gisbert and his ‘Santana’ catamaran on the 4 day/4 night sail via the San Blas Islands. His vessel leaves from Porto Lindo which is 2-1/2hours south by bus (US$6) from Colon.
His company is : Colombia Panama Sailing. www.colombiapanamasailing.com
gisbert@purringcatcharters.com
There are a number of operators, some are party boats, some just transportation, however Gisbert runs a safe boat , provides good and plentiful food and we had a great time. Cost US$520/person
For our actual Travel Diary through the San Blas Islands
see: 2012 GoannaTracks Across the Caribbean
Vehicle Import and 3rd Party Insurance:
In Cartagena: The company Enlace Caribe is recommended by many, however since May 2013 they do not work with overlanders.
Update May 2014 - i have just heard they are back in business again. Definitely worth contacting
We used Manfred ALWARDT. E-mail: manfred.al@gmx.net he quoted US$150/Bill of Lading, however I have to say we found him disorganised, late every time and in the end we complained (nicely) about an overcharge and he just said “Well do not pay me anything” stood up and left !
We have been told that there are English and Spanish instructions at the office of Seaboard Marine, so using them as the shipping company could make it easier should you decide to do the clearance yourself.
3rd Party Vehicle Insurance is mandatory and we got a 30 day coverage for Cop40,000 (US$20) at Suramericana - 400metres past the fort of San Felipe de Barajas. www.sura.com
Travel in Colombia:
Is Colombia safe?
Well the short answer is ..yes. Is Colombia beautiful?...very. Do they love to dance?.....a lot.
People in this country love to party, with loud music and dancing. I think they are born dancing. .
Everyone is so friendly. One person we met in the mountains said “We are all people of the planet. We don't own the planet, we share it with all mankind.”
The countryside is beautiful, lush and green, contrast that with snow and ice just 5 degrees from the equator. We drove the back roads of the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy, which is one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in South America. This gorgeous slice of heaven on Earth has dramatic landscapes, from snow capped mountains, raging waterfalls and icy glaciers. If you are really lucky you might see a condor gliding the thermals.
There is still a huge military presence in most areas and even in the little villages.
Most areas have been cleared of rebels but there are still some pockets of resistance.
Here the military are all friendly and in this case are giving us much needed directions.
Colombia Driving:
Colombians drive on the RHS.
Most major roads are toll roads or “Peaje”. Cost is dependant on the length and is between Peso 2-5000. Price also depends on the Category: Cat1 is for cars and trucks with single wheels. Cat 2 is duel wheels at rear and is twice to three times more.
Beyond the major roads travelling is slow because the roads twist and turn and are in poor condition.
The road signs and distances are in km.
Everywhere there are lots of national police and military checkpoints, but rarely are we checked.
Note: It seems to be the norm to try and cause an accident with a foreign vehicle, no matter how insignificant and then want the damage settled with money. The police are not interested, too busy with other things. We had two such encounters. Refer to our blog notes.
You will find that on some rough roads the locals pretend to fill the holes and then ask for money.
If you watch them between the vehicles they actually do nothing.
Camping:
I most places we free camped, and if possible checked with police or the locals first. More than often the police or the military would come and say hello and then they would kept an eye on us.
In Bogota we stayed in a paid Car Park.
This was our only incident as described by Lyn:
“Last night we saw a lovely area to camp beside the road. It had running water, perfect for doing the washing. We had just finished dinner and getting ready for bed when 2 guys on horseback rode over to the truck and started screaming at us.
One had a rifle the other a hand gun. Even though I didn't feel threatened, I did feel uncomfortable. Kym was having no success in calming them. I smiled a lot, but didn't do any good either. I called John on the radio and told him of the danger. He and Elizabeth came over as Eliz can speak some Spanish but they kept yelling and demanding money. They were also drunk, which heightened their anger. We refused to give them money. Within about 5 minutes we were packed up and drove out. One of the guys did smile at me as Kym shut the door of the camper in his face!!!
They fired 3 shots as we left.
What a pity that had to happen, but it hasn't changed our opinion of the Colombian people in general.”
Food:
There are shopping centers that are well stocked. with meat, fish and veggies.
Eating out the quick local food is chicken or beef with rice, beans and coffee- Total cost COP$ 40000 which is equivalent to $20 for the 4 of us.
Four coffees and a biscuit cost US$0.50 each.
Meat we found best from road side markets - always fresh but best to purchase in the mornings.
Fuel:
Diesel COP 7900-8400 /gal. and that equates to US4.10 / gal. or US$1.25/liter.
All major fuel stations accept credit card.
Water:
Easy to get at service stations
See also: http://www.drivetheamericas.com/wiki/colombia
For our actual Travel Diary through Colombia see: GoannaTracks Across Colombia
Return to: DIY Kit For Overland Travel