Camping in Columbia ( Cartagena )

[Sothamericatrav]

We recently spent over a month in Cartagena, Columbia. It is a big city, however it is very easy to get around, even with a camper. Being a historical city, on the ocean, there are numberous historic sites, and beaches to camp at. Some of the hotels have space in their areas.

One of the best places, with water, and on-site security was the CASTILLO SAN FELIPE, which is a very large OLD Fort, close to centro. Here also is a great shopping center, supermarket, and movies.

Now that the ferry is operational, campers will want to spend more time with their campers in this great city. You can also park right next to the Historic City Center, with 24 hr security too.

[tony_lee]

This year it even got smaller because of the Ferry Connection between Panama and Columbia!

Let's hope that they get their act together and keep it together long enough to get into the black because it an expensive ship to run and even the richest backers haven't got infinitely deep pockets.

Does the group you are promoting have an actual web site of their own, or do they just advertise on the various forums available

[Sothamericatrav]

Canadian Rainbirds wrote:
I really envy you. Would love to spend a year RVing in South America. Would that I was younger or fitter. Or both.

I recently met a friend from Vancouver, who traveled via RV on the Trekoftheamericas' Pan Americana Route to Ushuaia, Argentina over a three month period. He was so impressed that when he returned home, he sold his three car dealerships to his sister, and within 6 months returned to Chile (again in his RV).

He purchased a beautiful property there and is now retired..with a small vineyard probably sipping on some delicious wine!

Throughout my RV travels in Central and South America, I have encountered various "ExRVer" who have settled in various countries. I seem to continuously come across these ExPats because of my RV. I see the the RV, because they are still using it, or some of the locals find me and tell me there is a guy that came here in a RV and lives "just down the street". What a small world it is!!!

This year it even got smaller because of the Ferry Connection between Panama and Columbia!

[tony_lee]

Supposedly starting to carry vehicles again in Mid-January but nobody is holding their breath.
Supposedly still carrying motorbikes.

[MikeJinCO]

Don't want to rain on the parade, but parked in the Naval Museum parking lot in Cartegena as I write. A french couple we met a couple of days ago stopped by and said that they had hoped to ship to Panama on the ferry however it carried vehicles for the month of November only. Currently it is only carrying passengers. From what I understood(not good French/Spanish to not good English/Spanish) no vehicle runs were scheduled. They are having to ship their small rig, a diesel Toyota Hi-Lux with built on french camper(tiny and neat looking)in a large size container.

[Sothamericatrav]

Ford is the most popular

[Sothamericatrav]

First - Diesel
then should be a pre-2010 (fuel), and with no overhangs (low clearance )...carry extra basic parts, fan belt, alternator and starter parts, hoses, ...there is a whole list and you can return these after returning for refund.

There are dealerships all over and the local mechanics are great! Also the pre-trip check is important...over all the years, I have never seen anyone disabled completely

[bighatnohorse]

Sothamericatraveler wrote:
The time spent...depends on your preferences, and travel style... I always say: "You never really know a place, until you wear a pair of shoes out there!" I have traveled the Pan American Highway (the world's longest highway) 15 times, all the way to Ushuaia, Argentina...love it, love the places, and most of all, love the people. I have "real friends" in every country in the route!!!!

In terms of vehicle reliability and it's ability to be repaired by local shops throughout the Pan American Highway trip - what kind of vehicle, particularly, what engine - transmission system would you say is "best"?

[Sothamericatrav]

The time spent...depends on your preferences, and travel style... I always say: "You never really know a place, until you wear a pair of shoes out there!" I have traveled the Pan American Highway (the world's longest highway) 15 times, all the way to Ushuaia, Argentina...love it, love the places, and most of all, love the people. I have "real friends" in every country in the route!!!!

[obgraham]

I spent a little time in Bolivia. I think it would be GREAT to RV there!

[tony_lee]

Canadian Rainbirds wrote:
I really envy you. Would love to spend a year RVing in South America. Would that I was younger or fitter. Or both.

Both conditions might be desirable, but neither is essential. RVing in South America is not any different to RVing anywhere else. Just needs the inclination to do it.

This lady reckons she has many years of travel ahead of her.



Actually, a year is nowhere near enough. Maybe about right for just Mexico. 5 years might do it fairly well and I know people who have taken 10.

[Sothamericatrav]

IF you ever have any questions that I can answer for you, just drop me a PM...happy winter Do you know Dorothy Wingrove of the island..BC?

[Canadian_Rainbi]

I really envy you. Would love to spend a year RVing in South America. Would that I was younger or fitter. Or both.

[briansue]

http://www.ferryxpress.com


http://www.thepanamadigest.com/2014/08/tropical-cruises-announces-panama-colombia-ferry


http://primapanama.blogs.com/_panama_residential_devel/2014/08/new-ferry-begins-operations-24102014-panama-cartagena-bocas-del-toro.html


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_SNAV_Adriatico



GOOGLE TRANSLATE SAYS……….
• 1. Destination / Schedules
o Friday Departure port city of Columbus at 7pm, arriving at 7:00 a.m. Saturday Bocas de Toro; the stay in Bocas is all day Saturday and Sunday, we left Bocas del Toro on Sunday at 4pm coming to town 4am Colón, the pesronas not have to get off the ferry at that time, only to have to go to work or want to get off at that time. Other downloadable at 7am
o The trip to Bocas del Toro Panama takes approximately 11 hours
o The ferry arrives at island in Bocas del Toro colon and hence the disembarkation of passengers is
o For travel via a single mouths only be booked seat, depending on availability on board it could have a cabin.
• 2. Prices
o For more information on pricing and availability call our call center in Panama to 380-09-09
o Prices are per cabin and per person when traveling in armchair
o Seniors are discounted by Panamanian law
o Children under 2 are free
o Children 2 years to 11 years 11 months pay as children
o Children over 12 years are charged as adults
o All payments are made in a single exihibicion
• 3. Foods
o Panama Bocas del toro in cruise travel type are included breakfast and dinner during the trip, a coupon will be given for each food per person
o Breakfasts and dinners are by no means Buffet type
• 4. FAQs Ferry
o Few booths have the Ferry?
R. The ferry has 379 cabins
How many seats has the Ferry?
R. The ferry has 300 reclining seats executive type
That includes travel in armchair?
R. Storage space for luggage
What is the capacity of people in the Ferry?
1,300 passengers
What is the capacity of cars on the ferry?
R. The ferry can carry 500 cars
What is the capacity of trucks or contedenores?
R. 100 containers
The Ferry has pool?
R. The ferry has no pool, but has a sun deck and bar
There are activities for children at the Ferry?
R. If the ferry has a playground for children under 5years
Where is the Ferry?
R. Norwegian
Gratuities included?
R. These are not provided
Purchases duty free liquor can consunir on the ferry
R. purchases of liquor can not be consumed on the Ferry and delivered at the end of each trip depending on the destination
You can bring food in the Ferry?
R. You can not bring food or beverages by international laws
The restaurants are open 24 hours?
R. No restaurants are open until midnight
Groups are welcome to minors?
R. groups of minors must be accompanied by an adult for every 10 children 1 adult over 25 years
Has the ferry cabins Handicaps?
R. The ferry if you have cabins for Handicaps
A vaccine is needed to go to Panama or Colombia?
R. No vaccinations are required
There will be mobile signal while traveling?
R.Habrá signal depends on the way intermintente
There will be safety boat
will panamaña security R.Si
It lifeboats for all passengers?
R. If you have lifeboats for all passengers
How will you handle the issue of arms?
R. Are not permitted weapons of any kind on the ferry
You can smoke inside the ferry? Or outside? There will be areas for smokers?
R. You can only smoke in the hallways outside the ferry
There will be cancellation insurance?
R. If cancellation insurance, but optional. It costs $ 5.00
What kind of currency will accept on the boat?
R. Dollar and credit card Visa and Mastercard. NO Express or aceptaráAmerican Colombian pesos.
What is the name of the boat?
R. Adriatico
What is and is not allowed in terms of clothing inside the boat? (Barefoot, shirtless, bathing)
R. Everyone shoe and shirt, can not walk in swimsuit
I conduct permitted? Is there a penalty for affray, scandal, disrespect for autoridadetc. ?
R. If there will be penalty and the authorities on the boat will be addressing the topic
Sancidones offenses listed above?
R. Whether there will be sanctions and board authorities treat the case according to the gravity of the offense committed.
What type of fuel is used in Colombia?
R. Same as Panama
• 5. Luggage / Transportation
o If a bag is lost in the area of chairs, I have the right to any compensation?
R. No, because it is your responsibility to your luggage.
Once delivered suitcase in custody, you can search to get something or only delivered in the next port?
R.No can get anything, just delivered in the next Puerto
Are permitted commercial vehicles carrying dangerous goods?
R. They are not allowed
I want to buy my ticket yet not he bear my car?
R. This procedure may do next is not necessary to have the ticket of the car, may pay when you decide
What time do you start boarding the ship of Columbus-Bocas del Toro?
A.The approach iniciaa 4pm
What time do you start boarding the ship of Columbus-Bocas del Toro if carriage takes?
A.The approach starts at 2pm
What time addressing the barcode starts Bocas del Toro-Colón?
R. All aboard at 3pm on Sunday.
What time do you start boarding the boat Bocas del Toro-Colón if carriage takes?
A.The approach starts at 9am
Where will realizer the handling of the cars on dock or on the ship?
R. Inside the boat on the way
At what time I have to get off the boat when I get to Bocas del Toro Colon?
R. You can land at 7:00 am the latest.
What time do you leave the cabin in Cartagena-Colon Colon-sections?
R. It should leave the cabins at 10:00 am
But I want to take my car to Columbus to grab the boat, how I can get to Columbus? You can provide this service?
R.Si will provide the transport-service, $ 30.00 round trip. The meeting place is Albrook mall across the hall dinosaur.
• 6. Port
Where is the output port in Panama? What the physical address?
R. The Cruise Port in Colon: Colon City, Paseo Gorgas
Where is the output port in Bocas del Toro? What the physical address?
R. Coperativa panguera next to the restaurant Reef
At what time do they open the offices of Port Columbus?
R. The offices will be open at 8am
• 7. Procedures
o What needs to come out with minors in Panama?
R. You will need:
1. Be accompanied his father and mother.
If it is accompanied by a parent you must have written permission from the other notarized and if one parent is holding the care and upbringing, must be authorized by the judge properly empowered to do so.
o In case of death of a parent, you must also, I attach certificate absent.
o Should the child be accompanied by a third party must have written both parents authenticated notarized authorization.
o If the child to travel alone, you must have written permission from their parents authenticated notarized authorization.
What documentation is necestia to introduce pets to Colombia?
R.Visitar www.ica.gov.co (ICA is the Colombaino INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE).
In this webside is all necessary information.
Duration of the migraciónapróximada in Panama?
R. 20 minutes in Puerto Colon
• 8. Payments, Tickets & Reservations
Where I can buy tickets Ferry Xpress?
R.Los Xpress Ferry tickets can be purchased:
o Ferry reservations center Xpress380-0909
o Online www.ferryxpress.com
o Offices in Avenida Balboa Ferry Xpress versus multicenter
o Travel agencies
For every reservation is needed; Passport or identity card, full name and surname, photocopy of passport, same case applies to cars
Passengers are not Panamanians or residents MUST buy the ticket-way back in all cases without exception this international laws.
What is the format of the passenger ticket?
A.The visible in the ticket price is subject to change, may rise or fall. Specific discounts and rebates do not apply to tickets issued retrospectively. The price of a ticket does not guarantee space ship. Ticket price does not include food on board.
Standares elements:
o Base price of the passenger
o Taxes and fuel taxes are included (subject to change)
o Rate the selected cabin (with window without window or suite)
o Rate and supplements cars are aplicabless (insurance)
o Pets are applicable rate
How to pay for the ticket?
R. Online: Visa and Mastercard. At the office: crédido cards (Visa, Mastercard, key, cash and bank transfer.
I can take out travel insurance?
R. If cancellation.
What is the minimum number of participants for a group?
R. At least 10 cabins. Group bookings are made through the reservation center.
How I can change details on a ticket?
R. Calling where the ticket was purchased to give the ticket number. 25 dollars is charged for exchange and rates may vary depending on the availabilities and season. You can not make changes at check-in. You can not change tickets issued with special conditions.
I can pay for my ticket after boarding?
R. No payment is made at the time of ticket purchase.
Why I can not receive a refund of the actual price of the ticket if it fell
R. Our transport conditions do not charge this type of transaction
If you do not buy insurance how it works if I cancel my booking?
R. If passengers do not purchase insurance will rembolosará follows:
75% refund of ticket value if canceled up to 60 days beforethe output
50% refund of ticket value if canceled 59 days to 30 days before departure
Reimbursement of 25% of ticket value if canceled 29 days to 48 hours before departure
No reebolso if canceled 47 hours before departure.
• 9. Load
For everything related to freight rates and specifications please call 398-0909