Darien Gap
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From Drive the Americas
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The entire network of roads in North, Central, and South America connect, except for a 50 km (30 miles) gap between Colombia and Panama known as the Darien Gap. The Darien Gap has been crossed a handful of times by international teams, but is now considered too dangerous to cross due to rebel groups.
[edit] Crossing the Darien Gap by Air
If you are traveling by motorcycle, you can find air cargo freighters that will ship a motorcycle. Vehicles need to be transported by boat.
Yet to be confirmed first hand, there are apparently small local airports offering inexpensive passenger flights between Panama and Colombia for prices around $50.
[edit] Crossing the Darien Gap by Boat
While this may be the most frustrating border crossing, many people have done this before, so don't let it deter you from taking the plunge. You have two options for transporting your vehicle: using a cargo container or RORO, which stands for "roll on, roll off". RORO will be less expensive, but you will need to hand over your keys. You will need to take everything out of the car, and remove anything from the vehicle that can be stolen. If your vehicle's height exceeds 2.7 meters you will have to use RORO due to the container restraints.
VW Vagabonds provide a wealth of information on different shipping options, including a list of questions and tips to complete your paperwork correctly. These intrepid travelers have shipped their car four times at this point, and have detailed information on shipping their vehicle from on a RORO from North America to South America, shipping vehicles from Costa Rica to Ecuador on a RORO.
It should be clarified that container prices below are based on shipping two vehicles in a single container. While this is most cost effective, groups with only one vehicle unable to share a container with fellow travelers will have to double the below "per vehicle" container fee.
[edit] RORO from Panama to Colombia
There is a RORO service from Colon, Panama to Cartagena, Colombia as of April 2009. The cost is $55 USD per weight measure (cubic foot). To calculate this, according to Evelyn, you take the length x width x height of your vehicle and multiply it by $55 to estimate the cost. Usually it costs from $600 to $700 USD. If the vehicle's height exceeds 2.7 metres you will have to use RORO due to the container restraints.
[edit] NYK Lines, RORO from Costa Rica to Ecuador
According to positive reviews from THymeoff and VW Vagabonds, you can get your car shipped hassle free by NYK for $500 USD. Since it is a Roll On, Roll Off, you will need to hand over your keys. You can contact Milton Madriz who has an office in San Jose, Costa Rica. His email address is nautica@racsa.co.cr.
Josh from wanderinglost.com notes the below:
Previously (2004) this route was traveled at a cost of $250, but as of 2007 the fee appears to be $500. Additionally there is a $50 port fee on arrival in Ecuador. Another note is that it is not entirely "hassle free" as stated above - travelers should be careful to secure any cargo in their vehicles and not leave any items accessible inside that they don't want stolen. Thefts have been reported by several travelers on this route. Paperwork and receiving in Manta, Ecuador takes about a day, is straightforward, and Manta is a very nice place with a beautiful beach!
People have had mixed results in dealing with Milton Madriz in San Jose(the official NYK agent for this port), ranging from willing to unresponsive to actually obstructive. Better service has been received by first directly contacting the NYK office in Mexico, which is in charge of this route and where the shots are called.
[edit] Barwil Agencies, Container Shipping from Panama to Ecuador or Colombia
Barwil agencies has been recommended by a number of different sources, and they are extremely helpful. In general, they tend to be most responsive when you actually arrive in Panama City and meet with them in their office. They ship cars from Colon, Panama in either 20 or 40 foot shipping containers. 2 cars can fit in one 40 foot container, reducing costs somewhat. In general, ships for Guayaquil, Ecuador leave once every 15 days, while ships for Cartagena, Colombia, leave every week. The journey to Ecuador takes about 4 days while the trip to Colombia takes only 1 day. While Barwil does provide shipping services to both Colombia and Ecuador, Colombia seems to be preferable. Of the 203 cars they shipped in 2008, 200 were shipped to Colombia, only 3 shipped to Ecuador. The receiving procedure in Colombia is much more efficient and potentially less expensive. For detailed instructions describing the entire shipping process, see Barwil Shipping Instructions.
Costs in Panama:
$950/car, 2 cars in a 40 foot shipping container. Includes departure permits, 'stuffing' fee, ocean freight charge, stuffing materials, and any port fees.
$9/car customs/port charge paid in Manzanillo Port in Colon.
Costs in Colombia: $150/car for 'unstuffing' fee
Contact information:
Evelyn Batista, Sales Supervisor
Galerias Balboa, Suite 35
Ave. Balboa-Aquilino de la Guardia
PO Box 0843-01562
Panama, Republic of Panama
Website: www.wilhelmsen.com/shipsservice
Customer Experiences: We did not have a good experience using Barwil.
[edit] C. Fernie & CO, Container Shipping from Panama to Ecuador
C. Fernie & CO offers container shipping from Colon, Panama to Guayaquil, Ecuador. Their ships leave on a weekly basis, and it takes 4-6 days for the ship sail from Panama to Ecuador. They recommend using a customs broker to speed the permitting process in Panama.
Costs
For 2 cars in one 40 foot shipping container:
- $600/car, shipping fee
- $175/car 'stuffing' fee
- $200/car customs clearance for export
- $50/car police permissions
Contact Info
Tel. Panama: 211-9488
Tel. Colon: 433-8500
sales@pa.hamburgsud.com, manuel.gonzalez@pa.hamburgsud.com
Website: http://www.cfernie.com/
[edit] Meeting your car across the Darien Gap
In addition to sailing from Central to South America, you also (obviously) have the option of flying. Airline prices can vary, but it will general set you back about $300-$400 dollars to fly from Panama to Colombia or Ecuador. If you feel like being a little more adventuresome, there are lots of different boats sailing from the Panama to Colombia. These ships can vary in size, luxury, destination, and departure time, so it's good to check around to find out what best matches your budget and time line. Prices vary from $300-$500. Many of the boats spend several days sailing among the idyllic San Blas Islands of Panama, a true tropical paradise. The San Blas Islands are controlled by the Kuna Indians, a semi-autonomous indigenous group in Panama, but the majority of the hundreds of islands in the San Blas archipelago are uninhabited. The islands typically have white-sand beaches, are dotted with palms, and are surrounded by warm clear water perfect for snorkeling. The crossing from Panama to Colombia then takes 1-2 days, depending on ocean conditions. The crossing from Colombia to Panama is much smoother than the crossing from Panama to Colombia, due to swell direction and prevailing winds. Check at local hostels and hotels for updated information, as this type o crossing seems to be gaining in popularity. Experiences can vary widely from ship to ship, so it is worth asking a few questions before you book your trip, such as:
- What is the maximum number of people on the ship?
- Am I guarenteed a private room/bed?
- Is there fresh water for showers?
- Will the ship be sailing under wind power, or will engines be used?
Some ships can be overcrowded and without water for showers, so depending on your threshold for comfort, it is worth asking around to see which ship will best meet your needs.
[edit] List of ships sailing between Panama and Colombia
All trips include food, snacks and drinks (alcohol not included). Trips include 2-3 days in the San Blas and passage to Colombia.
- Andiamo: Beneteau 50 foot sailboat
Hot/cold showers, flat screen TV, AC power available
$375/person
Contact: Karen, 320-509-6967 or Tony, 316-350-5936
Email: theandiamo@yahoo.com
Website: http://theandiamo.com/sanblas
- Stahlratte: 40 m sailingship
Unlimited fresh water
Everyone takes part on sail manoeuvers, cooking, and cleaning
Contact: In Panama 653-660-32, in Colombia 301-374-6596
Email: info.steelrat@les-raisting.de
- Seeadler: 50 foot sailingboat
$275/person
Contact: In Panama 507-6659-4569, in Colombia 57-316-243-6324
email: dlel@sailmail.com
www.sailseeadler.cjb.net
- Chirisa: 55 foot yacht
$380/person
Contact: 57-317-663-3857
email: naturacaribe@terra.com
www.naturacaribe.com
- To put out to sea:
$375/person
Contact: In Panama: 311-690-8384, in Colombia: 6752-1689
email: hacersealamar@gmail.com
http://toputouttosea.googlepages.com
- Attila:
$375/person
Contact: 314-564-5327
Email: svattila@gmail.com
- Esmeralda: 42 foot yacht
$385/person
Contact: 315-766-0039
- Metacomet: 75 foot motorsailor
They claim to offer a faster ride with less sea sickness, and will take motorcycles on their ship for an additional $350. $370/person
Contact: Herve or Dagny, in Panama: 507-6777-1876, in Colombia: 310-642-0597
Email: metacometpassages@yahoo.com
- Little Whale: 36 foot racer/cruiser yacht
$350/person Contact: Herve or Dagny, 310-642-0597
Email: dagnylancy@yahoo.com
- Gitan: 42 foot yacht
Contact: Remy or Ana, 311-772-1704 or 316-240-8018
- Sacanagem: 40 foot yacht
$375/person
Contact: Hernando, 507-67-686121
Email: velerostellaluna@yahoo.com
[edit] Shipping from Buenos Aires to the United States
Like the options for the Darien Gap above, you can chose between a RORO or container service.
Below are a few options for companies and prices from Buenos Aires
[edit] RORO
K-Line has ships sailing about twice a month to Jacksonville (among other possible destinations). Their agent (Capricorn) in Buenos Aires is very helpful but does not speak English. Beware! Really think twice about leaving anything in your car - we put our belongings in boxes that had two padlocks and one regular lock and bolted the boxes to the inside of our car. Despite these precautions, when we received our car the boxes were gone.
Costs
All costs in USD
- Shipping fee: $600/vehicle
- Document fee: $50
- Terminal fee: $7/meter cubed (vehicle volume)
- Wharfage fee $8.35/vehicle
- Bill of Lading fee: $35
Contact information in Buenos Aires CAPRICORN ARGENTINA S.A
Reconquista 672 3rd floor - B(C1003ABN)
BUENOS AIRES,ARGENTINA
PHONE: (0054) 11 5031 4015
FAX: (0054) 11 5031 4015
email: operaciones@capri-arg.com.ar
NYK has ships sailing twice a month to Baltimore, Houston and Tampa. The ships take about 20 days to reach the US. The car must be empty during the shipping (customs requirement). However, they are not used to dealing with individuals shipping their cars (they deal with large shipments) so aren't very helpful with the details.
Costs:
Shipping costs depend on the height of the car:
- Up to 1m60m, $835
- From 1m60cm to 2m, $970
- Above 2m, $1020
Additional costs:
- The car can sit at the sending and receiving docks for up to 5 days without any additional fees
- $70 terminal handling fee per car in Buenos Aires, plus $7 per cubic meter
- $45 plus IVA for Bill of Lading
- $50 terminal handling fee in the US, plus additional $50 for a car or $90 for an SUV, plus wharfage fee if $2.25 per every 2000 pounds (with a minimum charge of $25)
Contact information (both speak English)
Craig David +54 11 4328-3111
Maria Cruz +54 11 4328-3111 x219 msoriano@multimar.com.ar
Address
San Martin 483 (5th floor), cross street is Lavalle Buenos Aires
[edit] Container Shipping
If you have some extra cash after your trip and want to treat you and your car right, you can send it through Argentina International Moving by container and have it delivered to your door. Contact Noelia for a quote, as costs depend on locations, but included below are the price options for shipping a Honda Element from Buenos Aires to Miami Florida.
Costs
Option 1 - "Door to door" services:
- Picking up the automobile
- Loading into a 20' container
- Customs in Argentina
- Ocean freight to Port Everglades
- Customs Clearance in the United States of America
- Delivery in Tampa, FL
Price : US$ 5.040,75
Option 2 - "Door to warehouse" services:
- Picking up the automobile
- Loading into a 20' container
- Customs in Argentina
- Ocean freight to Port Everglades
- Customs Clearance in the United States of America
Price : US$ 4.390,75
Contact information (speaks English)
Noelia Oviedo argenmove@argenmove.com.ar +54 11 4325-0500 x107
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