Panama to Colombia passage via the San Blas Islands
Note: All times and activities are subject to favorable weather conditions, no adjustments can be made to the fee if delayed by weather conditions, mechanical breakdown or anything effecting the overall safety of Tropicbird and her crew. However every endeavor will be made to keep to the following schedule. Also note that I have great respect for Kuna Yala and its inhabitants and as a visitor I have no intention of changing their lifestyle or influencing their culture negatively with loud music, rowdy behavior or disrespect and as captain I have the responsibility to encourage my crew to have equal values. I do this as informally as I can.
The currency in Sapzurro is Colombian Peso and the local exchange rate is poor compared with changing in Panama city so travelers are advised to change a hundred dollars or so for onward travelling, do not rely on ATM’s working everywhere in Colombia better to carry some cash.
Day 1: Persons will board Tropicbird at Porviner island San Blas by way of the 4 x 4 service out of Panama City (at this time the service costs 25 dollars). The ferry from the mainland to Porviner costs about 10 dollars. There are also flights to Porviner for approximately 90 dollars (be aware of the luggage weight restrictions of the aircraft). The cost to arrive at Tropicbird are not included in my fee.
Immigration formalities and signing onto my crew -list will be completed in Porviner. (Costs are included in my fee).
During this day we will make the short passage to Chichimi island (approximate duration one hour), arriving in the afternoon and anchoring overnight. There is a bar on the island with a volleyball court and usually a bonfire at night. (It is, to date, the most beautiful place on earth for me second only to the Gulf de Orange in Sardinia Italy).
Day 2: An early start for the captain and up anchor and onward to Ratones cays. (Approximate duration nine hours), anchoring overnight. At this time I have not visited these islands although I shall comment asap. However my cruising guide deems the area to be a safe and protected anchorage with good snorkeling.
Day 3: Another early start for the captain and onward to Isla Pinos. (Approximate duration eight hours) Another of the more than three hundred islands I have not visited, although I shall comment asap. However my guide describes the anchorage favorably.
Day 4: The last leg of the passage to Sapzurro (Colombia). (Approximate duration six hours). Sapzurro is a beautiful port set in a large bay surrounded by towering hills. The crew will depart to the pier with their luggage, be signed off the crew list and pass through immigration into Colombia.
There is a hostel to stay at named Chili’s and travelers can either sleep in a hammock for 5 dollars or a room for 10 dollars.
The currency in Sapzurro is Colombian Peso and the immediate exchange rate is poor compared with changing in Panama city so travelers are advised to change a hundred dollars or so for onward traveling, do not rely on ATM’s working everywhere in Colombia better to carry some cash.
A guy called ‘Sombrero’ can be contacted who will arrange a boat taxi to Nickocle which should cost about 25 to 30 dollars per person depending on the number of passengers (eight persons plus gets a better rate) From there travelers can take a bus to Cartagena for about 40 dollars.
In order to compensate travelers for the additional expenses of traveling from Sapzurro to Cartagena I will rebate 25 dollars. This will be held in trust as a damage deposit in the unlikely event that anything is damaged by a crewmember or members during the passage.
Note: This passage is four days in the islands instead of three and does not include enduring two full days and two long nights upon the open sea. Daytime sailing with a cooling breeze followed by swimming and snorkeling in the evenings in one of the most pristine and unspoilt areas of the world. (Long may this description bode true)!
Included in the fee:
Whilst onboard Tropicbird meals will be provided although specialties such as local fish and lobster will is a shared cost. My primary diet is without meat, when possible I seek fresh vegetables and fruit although the islands are poorly supplied. Make me aware of any dietary needs prior to the passage. It is unlikely that special products can be found in the San Blas so medicinal and dietary supplies are the responsibilities of the individual; please telephone me to discuss special needs and I will help as best I can.
Immigration out of Panama is included as well as is the cost of the cruising permit for the islands.
Drinking water and showering water.
Fuel is included in the fee; although I sail as much as possible given favorable weather and sea-state
The cost to each crew member is 395 dollars US.
A deposit of 25 dollars is due at the time of booking.
The balance of 370 dollars (per person) is due in cash before boarding Tropicbird.
I have a zero tolerance of any drugs on my vessel, so if, even after my initial briefing and statement to this effect anyone deems to ignore me or is found in the possession of any materials I shall escort them to the nearest office and sign them off my crew-list. This will be at the inconvenience of the other crew members and may well delay the passage. I cannot report them as there may well be repercussions for my vessel and myself and even those promoting this service.