Having read numerous blogs outlining the pitfalls and problems others have encountered getting their bikes to Colombia from Panama my plan was to use Girag cargo logistics company located at the Tocumen cargo terminal. Many positive things have been said about this company.
They had english speaking staff and quoted $900 USD for delivery to Bogota.
Court had his mind set on travelling by small sailing ship. The idea of travelling on the Caribbean Sea through the San Blas islands had certain appeal. The downside to that was the horror stories I have read on the net about boats breaking down, bikes being dropped on beaches and riders left to find customs, police and immigration.
One in all in so I was happy to see what we could find.
The Carribean coast is just great. It is a no brainer why so many Europeans visit and then decide to stay. Many arrive on their boats. The two couples we met did just that. They charter their boats taking backpackers and bikers like ourselves where ever we want to go including Colombia. The price per person and bike was $750 USD which includes five days voyage past the San Blas islands. Both couples could not take us because of other commitments and a third person contacted on our behalf would have but his boat undergoing repair. We could wait for a couple of weeks and see what comes available.
We stayed the night near Portabelo in the Wunderbar Hostel. The accommodation was a reconstructed indian residence. The host couple were German and had one of the boats taking passengers.
An alternative was the Dutch couple at the Bambu guest house who also charter. Called in and they gave us a meal. They had a French speaking couple staying so Sylvain got to speak french.
The boats being used are generally owned by foreigners (German, Dutch and Italian especially).
Court checked with Copa Airlines and they offered to take our bikes to Bogota, Colombia for $625 USD. Pact is the freight company for Copa.
Barwil offered a 22 foot container for the bikes at the price of $1200 delivered to Cartegenia, Colombia where we all wanted to go. That worked out at $400 USD. We met a German couple there and at one stage we thought we could fit their Combi and our bikes into the one container. Barwil was offering the couple a Roll On Roll Off service for $1000 USD and could see themselves losing money so found reasons why that could not happen. Barwil was also vague about their costs. The German couple decided on the Roll On Roll Off service and paid. Once they paid new costs not previously mentioned were found and had to be paid for.
The matter was discussed and we opted for the Copa offer. The bikes would be delivered overnight with no delay at ports or additional costs.
The process was very quick and the staff helpful. They helped us drain the tanks and prepare the bikes for transport.
The process was very quick and the staff helpful. They helped us drain the tanks and prepare the bikes for transport.
No comments:
Post a Comment