Boats to Colombia

We work with several reputable captains doing the sailing trip from Panama to Colombia, so if you are looking for a fun, adventurous way to get to Colombia… you have found it. Trips range from $375 to $400 and include 2-3 days sailing through the beautiful San Blas islands, visiting the Kuna people, hanging out on islands and then 2 days open-water to Cartagena. We also have captains offering trips to Sapzurro, Colombia which offers an alternative to the 2 days at open-water by skirting the coast and island hopping for the whole 5 days… ending in the small beach community of Sapzurro. Once in Sapzurro, you will have to take a boat to Capurgana and then another boat from there to Turbo.  In Turbo there is a bus station offering routes to Cartagena or Medellin.  The whole trip from Sapzurro to either Cartagena or Medellin will last roughly 11 hours and cost around 70 dollars total.   All of the sailing trips include food, water, and entrance fees into Colombia.

Talk to staff or email us regarding upcoming boats and availability. Be aware that the boats are all privately owned and that schedules are unpredictable and can often take a couple of days to book, so be willing to hang around if one hasn’t docked yet.

Please keep in mind that these trips are not run by Luna’s Castle and there are inevitably a few trips that fail to live up to your expectations due to bad weather, reckless captains or annoying shipmates. Every trip is different as the captains are all independent operators, but we have used most of them several times in the past and we will provide you with honest feedback from previous guests (good and/or bad) to give you a better idea of the boat you are considering.

Meet some of the Boats:

METACOMET

The Metacomet is a 75ft sailing vessel equipped with 6 single beds, 3 doubles, 9 hammocks, and outside mattresses.  It regularly makes the journey from Isla Carti/Porvenir to Cartagena which takes on average 3 nights and 4 days (2 nights in San Blas and 1 night at sea).  The trip includes many activites such as snorkeling, swimming, island hopping, RUM PUNCH parties, village excursions, volleyball games with local Kunas, Kuna musuem, and Kuna “ulu” rides (local canoes).  The cuisine on board offers an assorted variety of fresh seafood, European, and vegetarian dishes.

The Metacomet has a crew with over 35 years of sailing experience as well as 2 dinghys with 9.9 HP, 25 life jackets, a huge outside salon, dorm, massive sundeck, 2 toilets, inside/outside showers, fun family atmosphere, and water games.  On board, English, Spanish, and French is spoken.  The trip cost is $375/USD.  Please come to Luna’s for info on how to book your voyage to Colombia.

FRITZ THE CAT

Fritz the Cat is a 49ft Catamaran with 5 double Cabins and 5 berths in the saloon.  Fritz offers a 5 day/4night trip from Carti to Cartagena (3 days in San Blas and 2 days in open water).   This voyage comes complete with snorkeling equiptment, 3 meals per day, unlimited natural lemonade, a unique trip in a Kajuco (dugout canoe) to private reefs with a native Kuna who will teach you how to catch lobster and king crab with a lasso (one can keep their catch for $4).  On board Fritz also offers Ice cold beers for $1.50, Coke and Pepsi for $1, and a bottle of booze for $12.  Please come to Luna’s for more information on how to book your Colombian sailing adventure.

STELLA LUNA

This 34 foot yacht cruises from Carti to Cartagena with 3 days in the San Blas Islands and 2 days in open water.  All meals are included.  Daily activities include snorkeling, fishing, spending time with the Kunas, island hopping, and island bonfire parties.  The accomidation on board includes 2 double beds as well as 2 single person beds in the living room.  The trip costs $400 total and can be arranged at the Luna’s castle reception desk.

ANDIAMO

This 50ft yacht houses 8 passengers on a 4-5 day trip from Carti to Cartagena.  The boat has fresh running water courtesy of an onboard water-maker, fully equipped Galley, onboard generator, flat screen entertainment center with DVD and surround sound (lots of movies and tv shows on DVD), BBQ GRILL, snorkel gear and other water toys, and music.  The price per person is $385.  For more information please visit us at the Luna’s reception desk.

ASHANTY

This 38ft Catamaran is luxurious and comfortable.  Seasickness is rare because there is almost no rolling on a catamaran.  The Ashanty heads from Carti to Cartagena in 5 days and 4 nights for $395 per person.  Delicious German cuisine is served on board everyday: breakfast, lunch snack, dinner, water, and lemonade.   Beer is available for $1.50 or Coke for $1.  6 people can sleep in 3 double cabins.  Guests will pass the days meeting the captain’s Kuna friends on the various islands in San Blas, Snorkeling, Lobster catching, and even participating in a volleyball competition!  For more information come visit us at Luna’s!

SAILING KOALA

Your captain, Fabian Arcila treats you to 4 full days and 3 nights at the San Blas over the course of his 6 day excursion and the remaining 2 days are spent at sea. Fabian speaks perfect English and has been taking backpackers on this journey since 1998 putting you in experienced hands. The boat comfortably accommodates 6 and at 31 feet there is sufficient space for crew inside and out.  The cost of the trip is $375.  To book this voyage or any other please come see us at Luna’s Castle.

ESMERALDA

The trip to Cartagena,Colombia via San Blas islands start at Carti or Puerto Lindo,Panama with 3 days in San Blas and 2 days sail to Cartagena. The 42 ft Esmeralda is a gorgeous sailing boat that sleeps up to 5 people in 2 cabins.  On board you will find snorkeling equiptment, a sound system with ipod connectability, as well as indoor and outdoor showers.  This voyage is valued at $385 and can be booked through the Luna’s Castle reception desk.

OLIVINE

The Olivine will take guests from Carti to the charming Colombian border town of Sapzurro in 5 days and 4 nights.  Along the journey, sailors will have the opportunity experience sleeping on different San Blas Islands, fishing, snorkeling, and fresh seafood prepared by the crew.  The 30ft vessel can accommodate 5 people at a price of $375 a head.   For more info, please stop by the Luna’s castle reception desk.

CORTO

The Corto travels between Panama and Cartagena/Sapzurro, Colombia.  It is a 43 foot vessel that can house up to 7 people in several private double cabins.  In San Blas you will be able to lounge in Hammocks, snorkel, sea kayak, have beach bonfire parties, relax, and just enjoy taking pictures or mingling with the locals.  The french owners speak English, French, Spanish, and German and prepare a delicious variety of French based cuisine including freshly baked french bread!  The trip is valued at $400 per person.  Let the Lunas staff know if your interested.

Transportation to Your Boat

It is important to note that transportation to the boat is generally not included in the price.  For any boat that is departing from Carti, one will need to take a $25 dollar one way jeep from Luna’s at 5am.  Upon entering the Kuna Yala territory each passenger must pay a 6 dollar tax to the Kuna people.  There will also be a 2 dollar dock fee per person.  Then one will have to take a boat taxi to the actual sailboat which will run somewhere around 7 dollars.  On the whole, it is about 40 dollars extra for transportation to the boats leaving from Carti or Porvenir.

Any boat leaving from the mainland (i.e. Miramar, Puerto Lindo) is a bit less expensive to get to.  You will have  to take a bus to Colon from Albrook terminal.  However, you will need to let the bus driver know that you will be getting off a tad early in the town of Sabanitas.  From Sabanitas, you will take a small bus to where your boat is docked.  The total cost of the 2 bus trips will be around 8 dollars.