If you are considering taking an epic road trip or backpacking through South and Central America; the travel route just opened up in an incredible way! The launch of the Norwegian ferry Adriatico, operating under the name Ferry Xpress, now provides passenger and car service between Panama and Columbia.
Historically a travel challenge for those traversing the Pan-American Highway, the Darién Gap is the missing link in connecting North American with South America, with a 160 KM expanse of undeveloped swampland between Panama’s Darién Province in Central America and the northern portion of Colombia’s Chocó Department in South America. Until now, for those driving the highway which runs from Alaska all the way to Argentina, shipping vehicles by freighter across the Darién Gap has been the only option.
But this new ferry service, Ferry Xpress which began on October 24, 2014, now sails Mondays and Wednesdays from Colón 2000 to Cartagena, Colombia and returns to Panamá on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with a travel time of approximately 18 hours. A seat costs $99 per person, a cabin for up to 4 people is $115 per person and a cabin for 2 people is $320 per person, with rates for vehicles starting at $300.
Besides being a more convenient method for travelling in Central America and South America, travelers will find a full host of amenities on-board the ferry between Panama and Columbia, including three restaurants, a discotheque, a duty free store, and communal bathrooms with showers and lockers. The Adriatico offers 379 cabins, 300 seats, capacity for 1320 people and 500 cars and passengers are permitted two pieces of luggage or an unrestricted amount if they are bringing their car aboard.
The Adriatico will also offer service from Colón 2000 to Isla Colón in Bocas del Toro. Created to be a mini-cruise, the service will depart Colón at 7pm, make the 12 hour journey overnight and then allow passengers to enjoy Colón until Sunday, when they will depart at 4pm.
If you are planning your Central America vacation or to travel South America, this Panama to Columbia ferry service is an exciting new option to help you explore Latin America.
Click here for the Adriatico Ferry website: https://www.ferryxpress.com/
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We are very excited about this new option, but we would love to hear your feedback on your experience so we can learn more about this service. Please leave your comments below, or contact one of our Activities Specialists in Panama to share your experience so we can better assist others planning their vacations.