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The region between [[Panama]] and [[Colombia]] is called the '''Darién Gap'''.
Here the [[Pan-American Highway]] is interrupted so classical hitchhiking by car does not work.
The region is mainly dense rainforest, and partly marshland. It is a nature reserve, and is protected both under Columbian, Panamanian and international Law. Nevertheless a lot of logging goes on there as the parks lack staff to keep the huge inaccessible space under tabs. It is said that from the air you can see the loggin tracks coming within just a few miles of each other on each side of the border, so in all fairness a road could exist if the political will did exist to create one.
The gap is also one of the homes of the FARC, and that is the main reason that it is a very bright idea for white-skinned blue-eyed hitch-hikers to stay as far away from it as they possibly can... This should not discourage anyone from getting ''around'' it though!
There are several stories of Hitchhikers passing by around this region on the [[Pacific Ocean]] from [[Panama]] to [[Colombia]] or [[Ecuador]]. On the [[Caribbean]] side exists a high exchange of goods exists between the Kuna Yala territory and Colombia so you might be lucky and hop on a commercial boat , travelling in either direction, if 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].
== From Colombia to Panama ==
The reverse of the method discussed above also works. To catch a plane to Obaldia go to the aiport in Panama city. To get to Carti ask for the road to the Kuna Yala national park. From there boats into the San Blas are eratic but existant, although I'm not sure they would take anyone for free as they do come there specifically to pick people up. To find the trail you would have to follow the Panamerican as far south as it goes, and then head north to the coast in the comarca Kuna Yala. Then you will still need a boat to reach Obaldia (there is no walking there unless you fancy being kidnapped by FARC...)
== 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].
=== Stories ===
There are some stories, from people who passed circumvented the Darien Gap:
* [http://www.digihitch.com/article1821.html themodernnomad] crossed for free from north to south by boat hitching. Great story. (read it [http://hitchtheworld.com/2010/02/13/rough-seas-rainforest-and-being-marooned-crossing-the-darien-gap/ here] on his website)
* [http://boards.bootsnall.com/panama-to-colombia-via-puerto-obaldia-t39751.html Isa and Natasha] did it with payboats and planes.