Boats

No Cruise Lines Here

Most boat traffic for backpackers in Latin America will either be coastal or in the Amazon.

Not recommending it. But fools will try. This is from an LP post. Prices will no doubt change. Schedules also subject to change.

Take a bus to Turbo. Its safer to travel during the day. From Medellin buses depart the caribe terminal each hour and cost 45,000 pesos ($20). Journey time is 9 hours. From Cartagena you have to go to Monteria and change there to get to Turbo. Basic to expensive accomodation is available in the centre of Turbo. Residencia Turbo charges 7000 pesos per person. The harbour is a few minutes walk from here. Boats depart at 9am, but arrive an hour before to get a ticket as boat gets full, and to check in with
immigration. Dont get your exit stamp here. Price is 40,000 pesos ($18) to Carpugana. Ride can be bumpy and takes 2.5 hours. Put backpack in trashbag as can get wet. Get your exit stamp at the DAS in Carpugana by the harbour Accomodation is available here from 7,000 pesos ($3) per person. Hotel Uvita on the harbour is very nice for ($5). Nice resorty town to stay in for a few days. In Carpugana launches to Puerto Obaldia cost $30. Price is for the whole boat, regardless if theres 1 or 4 people. Not many locals continuing on to Puerto Olbaldia so look out for other travellers if you are travelling alone.

At Puerto Olbaldia (the town is a military base) get your entry stamp at immigration. You will be asked for an exit ticket but can say you have an e ticket and haven't printed it out yet. Basic accomodation is available at Pension Conde for $5, and food is limited. Nothing to see or do here, but you may get stuck waiting for the next flight. Flights get booked so arrive a few days before in Puerto Olbaldia to make a reservation at the office there, or make a reservation at the Panama city office.
From Puerto Olbaldia aeroperlas flies to Panama city
at 9am Wednesday and Sunday. Cost is $57. Journey time
is 1 hour.