Colombia - Panama via Caribbean coast, Kuna Yala

[Geece]

Okay, I've been talking about this for years now, but it looks we'll be going sometime early in 2010. Tentative itinerary is into Bogota or Medellin, out of Panama City. We've both been to Panama, I've been to Colombia but she hasn't.

Has anyone been to the area of Colombia near Panama? We're looking at going to Turbo, probably from Medellin, and taking a panga from there to Capurganá-Sapzurro, and moving on to Puerto Obaldia on the Panama side. Any pointers from s8, Harry, divrdoc, justinian? I'm getting conflicting information about the airstrip in Puerto Obaldia and flights to Panama City. Neither of us have been to Kuna Yala either, so that's in the cards too.

[Harry Chorpita]

The trip to Capurgana has been covered a dozen times over on Poor But Happy look for the post by Cheers Terry you might even meet him headed the other way @ that time.

[Geece]

The trip to Capurgana has been covered a dozen times over on Poor But Happy look for the post by Cheers Terry you might even meet him headed the other way @ that time.

Yeah, I've been over that forum before. The feuding on there isn't very interesting, since I haven't been involved in it.

The Colombia side doesn't seem to be any big deal. The road to Turbo sounds like a pain (not sure if we'll be coming from Medellin or Cartagena), but with a lot of bus traffic. I'm most interested in the Panama side, particularly if there are any options to San Blas from Puerto Obaldia that don't involve Panama City first.

[divrdoc]

been a few years since i have been to locombia, and last i was there that area was verboten for gringos(well, sane ones), so i havent had the luck to experience it yet. sorry. but have a great trip!!!

[section8]

From what I've gathered it's much easier to set up going from Kuna Yala to colombia rather than traveling in the other direction.

If you have specific questions I can send them on to my friends down there. One of their cousins was stationed at the naval base right there on the border for a while.

[Geece]

From what I've gathered it's much easier to set up going from Kuna Yala to colombia rather than traveling in the other direction.

That's what I've found too. Transport on the Colombian side is straightforward. Once you get to Puerto Obaldia, there is very little information. Between the Colombian border and San Blas seems like the Panamanian version of Miskitia.

If you have specific questions I can send them on to my friends down there. One of their cousins was stationed at the naval base right there on the border for a while.

That would be very cool. The specific question is "What are the options to get out of Puerto Obaldia?"

[Harry Chorpita]

]That would be very cool. The specific question is "What are the options to get out of Puerto Obaldia?"

PM Cheers Terry on either LP TT or PBH he has all that info.

[section8]

She said there is an island hopper type flight that eventually ends up in PO. Some of these flights will also island hop on the return to Panama City and you could, if you got one of these flights, get off at the first Kuna village and use boats to get back to one of the busier islands to get a scheduled flight out. These are basically charter flights that aren't scheduled/announced. Her cousin isn't stationed there anymore, either.

There are also cargo type boats that go back and forth. (this seems like the best way to me)

Neither sounds easy. I think most of the yachts usually skip the Colombia coast and shoot straight for western San Blas.

If you pull it off, I'd like to hear how it played out.

[Ian_in_DC]

So did this trip ever get off the ground?

[Geeceling]

So did this trip ever get off the ground?

Not yet. I am litigating something that will very likely wrap up this week. So ... if I don't get distracted, soon.

[Harry Chorpita]

So did this trip ever get off the ground?

No-it was all shit as per SOP.

[Geeceling]

So did this trip ever get off the ground?

No-it was all shit as per SOP.

x43t l33t LOL svp brb FISH

[Geeceling]

Arriving Medellin on Wednesday. No fish for you, Cherry Whoremeata!

[Ian_in_DC]

How much was the airfare (was it a last minute deal)?

[Geeceling]

How much was the airfare (was it a last minute deal)?

Minneapolis - Medellin outbound, return Panama City - Minneapolis was $550 including taxes, on American.