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Darién Gap

278 bytes added, 07:13, 10 July 2011
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Here the [[Pan-American Highway]] is interrupted so classical hitchhiking by car does not work.
There are several stories of Hitchhikers passing by this region on the [[Pacific Ocean]] from [[Panama]] to [[Colombia]] or [[Ecuador]]. On the [[Caribbean]] side exists a high exchange of goods between the Kuna Yala territory and Colombia so you might be lucky and hop on a commercial boatif you are in no hurry.
== Crossing by dinghy ==
There is several stories of people crossing by dinghy on the [http://www.autostopargentina.com.ar/labanquina/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=11274&p=78235&hilit=+Panama+darien+darien+miel#p78235 Argentinian hitchhikers forum]. You still have to pay but look still expensive but more affordable than the classical boat from [[Colon]].Itinerary from Colombia:#Reach the port of Turbo, this can be done hitchhiking#From there, take a dinghy to [[Capurgana]], the last town in Colombia, it take 3 hours and around 25 dollars#Then you take another dinghy to Sapzurro, the last place in Colombia, 20mn, around 5-10 dollars
== From Colombia to Panama ==
In Cartagena there are heaps of charter sailing boats and private sailors heading to Colon who will charge anything beween 100 and 1000 US$ to take you there, often with atractive little stop offs in the San Blas.
 
An alternative way of crossing in this direction is to head to the port city of [[Turbo]], where a 50 US$ (in 2011) boat can take you to [[Capurgana]], like with all the other payboats if the boat owner like you enough and you can talk your way in good, you might get a lift. After that, the same applies for travelling from [[Capurgana]] to [[Puerto Obaldia]], a small village that works as a border between Colombia and Panama. Once you're in Obaldia, you might either pay about 90 US$ (in 2011) to fly to Panama in a small plane, or find one last boat into Panama, for example by catching a boat to the island of Caledonia, and then another to Carti, from where there are roads connecting with Panama. From Puerto Obaldia you can also catch a boat a little way down the coast to where a trail links to the road. The trail is said to last about 2 or 3 days walk, and it is not advisable to do it without a guide. The Kuna do walk it often though, that is what it's there for. The whole think is a feasible and enjoyable adventure whichever combination of methods you chose, especially if you do pass through the Kuna Yala (aka San Blas) islands which are simply breathtaking.
 
== From Panama to Colombia ==
To hitch a boat get to the ''San Cristobal Marina'' in ''Colon'', [[boat hitching]] is never easy so be prepared to wait days or weeks. There are 2 marinas (including balboa marina) in [[Panama City]] but chances for [[Colombia]] are lower. On both sides many boats go to the South Pacific and you also may get a ride through the canal as linehandler.
== From Colombia The reverse of the method discussed above also works. To catch a plane to Panama ==To get Obaldia go to the marinas aiport in [[Panama City]] take a minibus from ''Plaza 5 mayo'' toward ''Amador'' and hitch backcity. In places east of ''Colon'' like ''Portobello'' you find payboats ($280). An alternative way of crossing in this direction is to head To get to Carti ask for the port city of [[Turbo]], where you might manage road to hitch a free ride in a boat to [[Capurgana]] if the sailors like you enoughKuna Yala national park. After thatFrom there boats into the San Blas are eratic but existant, the same applies although I'm not sure they would take anyone for travelling from [[Capurgana]] free as they do come there specifically to [[Puerto Obaldia]], a small island that works as a border between [[Colombia]] and [[Panama]], where you will be stamped your passportpick people up. Once To find the trail you're in would have to follow the islandPanamerican as far south as it goes, you might either pay about 50 dollars and then head north to fly to Panama in a small plane, or find one last boat into [[Panama]] the coast. Still, you should beware that since there are no passenger boats doing that last section of the trip, hitching your boat ride may be much harder than in the other partscomarca Kuna Yala. It is a feasible and enjoyable adventure nonetheless, especially if Then you manage to hop into will still need a merchant boat heading for the Kuna Yala islands, where they will trade with the natives before heading to [[Panama]]reach Obaldia (there is no walking there unless you fancy being kidnapped by FARC.. [[User:Dargeron|Dargeron]] crossed the Darien that way for free on 2008, after befriending the passenger boat sailors in both Turbo and Capurgana, and it was a great experience, so it should still be possible for anyone. )
== External references ==
=== Stories ===
There are some stories, from people who passed the Darien Gap:
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