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RVing at Panama Canal's 100th Anniversary 2014

Sothamericatrav
Explorer
Explorer
Leaving from Texas in July, going to Panama, and then on south via the Pan American Highway to the tip of Argentina. This year when transiting the World's Longest Highway, we will be in Panama to join in the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Panama Canal.

Panama will be opening the new section of the Canal that can handle the newer larger ships. The national celebration will be all through the year of 2014. Also there is a new ferry going into service from Panama to Columbia, operated by a German Enterprise .
14 REPLIES 14

hardwired22
Explorer
Explorer
I've heard propane is not readilly available in South America, what do you use on your camper for heating the hot water tank and cooking stove?

Sothamericatrav
Explorer
Explorer
TRAVELER INFORMATION;

CARTAGENA, COLUMBIA INFORMATION

UPON ARRIVAL AT COLUMBIAN CUSTOMS (WHICH IS A BREEZE), PROCEED TO "San Felipe" Fort National Monument. It is about 20 mins from the customs arrival point. Ask..."San Felipe" ..if you don't have a GPS program.

At San Felipe ( pull into the Large Parking Area, and check in with the guard, he will direct you where to park in front of this amazing monument. Safe, and secure...within one block is a shopping center, movies, and also the famous "Old Shoe" tourist site!

You can take a bus to the old historic section where you can see the highlights of this beautiful city, also there is limited RV parking there too.

For dumping, drive out of the city toward the beach areas... lots of remote areas.

There is NO camping permitted on the beaches here, but day use is ok.

Sothamericatrav
Explorer
Explorer
Now the Pan American Highway is connected with the new Ferry Service from Panama to Columbia...you can go with your RV and be there in 14 hours....great reduction in costs.

Sothamericatrav
Explorer
Explorer
brian.thanks so much for posting this additional information....we have moved our rv on this great new transportation!!!!!

briansue
Explorer
Explorer
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 SAYSโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€ฆ.
โ€ข 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 Colรณn, 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.
โ€ข 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
โ€ข 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
โ€ข 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.Habrรก signal depends on the way intermintente
There will be safety boat
will panamaรฑa 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 aceptarรกAmerican 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
โ€ข 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-Colรณn?
R. All aboard at 3pm on Sunday.
What time do you start boarding the boat Bocas del Toro-Colรณn 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.
โ€ข 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
โ€ข 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 migraciรณnaprรณximada in Panama?
R. 20 minutes in Puerto Colon
โ€ข 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: crรฉdido 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 rembolosarรก 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.
โ€ข 9. Load
For everything related to freight rates and specifications please call 398-0909

Sothamericatrav
Explorer
Explorer
thanks

briansue
Explorer
Explorer
Around the Campfire - this is the South America forum.

Sothamericatrav
Explorer
Explorer
ATC ???

Moderator
Moderator
Moderator
Moved from ATC

Sothamericatrav
Explorer
Explorer
IT IS TRUE.......................... Now you can travel with ease from Panama to Columbia on the Pan American Highway....THE FERRY IS OPERATIONAL....SAVING ALMOST $4000 difference from shipping via commercial ship!!!!

the only caravan is now advertising $4000 less in expenses for the trek of the americas...wow,.

Sothamericatrav
Explorer
Explorer
I was also in Panama in September....it was very impressive to see that fleet of about 100 Cat Track Hoes, and all the other equipment ..... they were really going at it!!!!!!!!!! The government has the pressure on and it could be done early....

Retired_andLove
Explorer
Explorer
I was through the Panama Canal in September. I highly doubt if any part of the new canal will be open by then. I think they are very optimistic about the finish date. If I knew how I would post some pictures of their progress. Some sections have not been started yet.
Randy & Dianne
2013 Tiffin Allegro

Sothamericatrav
Explorer
Explorer
we hope it will save some time and money because you can go with your RV....but the other option of RORO on the ship is OK too!!! just more time enjoying Cartengena!!! lol

The_Mad_Norsky
Explorer
Explorer
Well, seems that new ferry will solve all the old problems of getting from Panama to Colombia.

Good to hear. Hope you have a wonderful journey.
The Mad Norsky, Doll, Logan and Rocky
2014 Ram 3500 w/ Cummins/Aisin
2019 Northern Lite 10-2 EX CD LE Wet Bath
RV'ing since 1991

I took the road less traveled .....Now I'm Lost!