Honestly I don't recommend that you travel by car. Mostly because of the hassle it is shipping your car to Colombia from Panama, than the "dangers" everybody is telling you about the trip.
I have a couple of friends that have done the road trip all the way from the USA to Panama. All of them have made it fine. Some had a couple of hiccups but nothing serious. One even rode a bicycle from Mexico to Panama.
Now all of them had a common problem, which is getting across. Those that did their homework and had already arranged transportation from Panama to Colombia did fine. Those that came all the way over here to improvise did poorly. Some had to drive back because they didn't have enough money to ship the car over.
I recall there was a guy that did the trip every year. You can probably Google him, and as I recall I read about him on Automobile Magazine. Usually those kind of people like to give pointers and tips.
Hey in the end everything is possible, it just takes proper planning and execution.
Hi Derle,
to cross the Panama Canal is not problem whatsoever because there are bridges over the canal. However, there's no road between Panama and Colombia. These two countries are separated by the so called "Darien Gap" in Southern Panama/Northern Colombia, which is the most dense jungle in the world and it is also a restricted area. However, you can drive to Panama, and put your car on a ship from the Port of Colon to the Port of Cartagena or Barranquilla in Colombia.
If you husband is afraid of flying then he will be scared to death to drive through Central America, especially through Mexico and Guatemala.
No, it isn't. As you've indicated, your problem is at the Panama canal. You cannot walk or drive across. If flying is that big of an issue, then you and your husband could theoretically hitch a ride on a boat, but that is very much not recommended.
It wouldn't be a good idea if you could.
Yes you can travel by car, but this would be VERY cost prohibitive as you would need a travel visa for every country you pass through =7 minimum. The canal is not the problem to traverse crossed, the real issue is the Panamese jungle which is very treacherousness and mostly back country roads if I have read correctly. Inadvisable for an outsider. The length of time is probably about equal to that of traveling from Washington DC to LA by car, maybe a little shorter without taking into account the amount of travel you have to do within the US.
Ultimately this trip sounds like an all around pain in the neck.
off course is possible !....reading all this negative answers about how dangerous it is when they never ever being there make lough !!.I when all the way to south of Mexico and have no problem! . there no a connection in the border panama-Colombia but there is a ferry you have to take !.money and time is necessary and please learn some Spanish or found someone who das to come alone.
No Way , due to the Darien Gap. There is nothing but a jungle path, no actual highway. and that part of the jungle is full of rebel soldiers. Several people who have tried to walk through in recent years were kidnapped and killed. Even the rest of the so-called highway is very primitive in many areas. It is FAR more dangerous to try to go through the Darien Gap than to fly. See article below and be sure to read the section on "Crossing the Darien Gap." Even driving through Mexico is very challenging...then driving through Central America can be very dangerous...for you and your car.
My husband and I are wondering if there will be a problem to go driving to Colombia, have spmebody done that? I just think if there's a problem to cross panama channel. and how long do you think it will cost and how long? I know flight os easier but my husband is afraid of flying and it would be an adventure
