Getting to Panama by Land or Sea

By Land

Borders

The country shares a border with Costa Rica (330 km) and Colombia (225 km).

From Neighboring Countries

By Land

While it’s not possible to travel overland to Colombia, you can move freely between Panama and Costa Rica, whether on the Pacific side (the most common route) or the Caribbean side. Several bus companies offer international connections, including:

• Expreso Panama: This company links the capitals of Costa Rica and Panama.

• Panaline: Same routes as Expreso Panama.

• Tica Bus: The best-known for their presence and transport across Central America (except Belize).

• Tracopa: A company that connects David to San José.

• Transporte bocatorenos: From Changuinola (on the Costa Rica border) to the Costa Rican capital via the Caribbean coast.

Note that if you want to spend slightly less and have time, you can also take a local bus to the border and then another one in the neighboring country once you’ve crossed.

By Sea

While there’s no ferry service with Costa Rica, boats are the only way (other than flying) to reach South America from Panama. For those looking to fly from Central America to South America (Colombia) or vice versa, flights between Panama City and Bogotá or Medellín with the Colombian low-cost airline Viva Colombia often cost around $100 round-trip.

Colón-Cartagena Ferry

In 2014, the Ferry Express company relaunched a route between Panama (Colón) and Colombia (Cartagena) with boats carrying up to 1,300 passengers and vehicles, operating twice a week with an 18-hour crossing. However, like previous attempts, the service was suspended a few months later and has yet to resume. Most travelers agreed this was an excellent option for those—whether driving or not—looking to move between Central and South America.

Cargo Ships, "Coastal Routes," and "Charters"

These are the methods some travelers use or seek out when no ferry service is available. Options include finding a sailboat traveling between Colón and Cartagena (often via the San Blas Islands), a cargo ship between the same cities or between Panama City and Colombia’s Pacific coast, or connecting the two countries in small stages along the Caribbean coast.

Note that the last option is still feasible (with some precautions). Traveling from Panama to Colombia requires first flying to the village of Puerto Obaldia (mandatory) from the capital (around $100), then continuing by small boat to the tourist-friendly town of Capurganá in Colombia (1 hour; minimum $10). From there, you can either take a small plane to Medellín or continue by sea to Turbo (2–3 hours; minimum $30), where you’ll find roads and buses. While the new Ferry Express route made this option less economical or fast, it remains an "original experience"—though it requires extra vigilance regarding safety.

By Sea

Ferries

Apart from the occasional Colón-Cartagena route (currently suspended), there have been no other international ferry services from Panama.

Cargo

Thanks to the canal, Panama is easily accessible by cargo ship. The ports of Colón (Atlantic) and Balboa/Panama City (Pacific), on either side of the canal, are by far the most important in the region.

Cruises

Panama hosts a number of cruise ships, either crossing from one ocean to the other via the canal or sailing along the Caribbean coast (often from Florida) with a one-day stop in Colón to visit the locks and Panama City’s old town.

Sailboats