Comments on: Shipping across The Darien Gap Pt. 4

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:15:00 +0000

Hey Wendy and Rob,
I’m glad you find my blog useful. Have you seen ? It contains all the information you’re going to need for your trip like border crossings, paperwork, bribery, gas prices, camping, maps, roads, etc. etc.
I hope you find it useful!
Adding and updating content would help other travelers too! (you can just click “edit” on any page to add/update anything you want)
Thanks, and all the best on your big adventure!
-Dan

By: Theawayteam

Theawayteam — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:42:28 +0000

Hi Dan,
Great work on the crossing!!
Finally got some very helpful, useful, advice on shipping a vehicle across the Darien Gap. I have been on lots of blogs looking for this information and will definitely link this blog info to other travelers!
I will be contacting Mr.Martinez for rates to ship our vehicle from Colon to Cartagena. We live in Mexico for the winter and are used to “Señor, this is not correct, we need another copy, and oh, it’s time for lunch!”
We are so looking forward to our adventure…..just haven’t decided on our mode of transport yet..either a VW camper van or a 23ft. B+ motorhome! We are in the planning stages now and will leave from Calgary, Canada in October!
Thanks again for the good work on your blog! Check out ours at Letsdoeuropenow.wordpress.com..our 4.5 month, 19,500km around Europe on a BMW GS1200.
Theawayteam, Wendy and Rob

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:30:44 +0000

Hey Dave, You should be confident about making the drive - it's extremely rewarding and very possible. I know of at least 5 vehicles on the road in Central America right now, making the drive. As for shipping, it can be a pain, but everyone makes it work. I don't know about RORO these days, you will have to investigate when you arrive in Panama. I'm sure you'll find WikiOverland, the encyclopedia of Overland Travel a great help, especially the Pan American Highay page. Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help.

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:54:39 +0000

Hey Dan, I just read the 4 parts about crossing the Gap. I have 2 months off in the summer and want to drive to my wife’s home in Ecuador during the summer of 2012. I am completely confident about doing this trip except for shipping my pick up truck. I read about your frustrations. The information you left for all of the readers is really helpful. Any words of encouragement that you can provide would be grateful. I can’t leave until I feel better about my knowledge of shipping my vehicle. I want to be prepared as possible knowing that we will run into difficulties along the way. I won’t have much of value in my vehicle. Clothing, spare parts, nothing that would be diffiicult to replace. What are your thoughts about using the RORO? Is the paperwork the same?

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:37:54 +0000

Hi Ivan,
There certainly are other ways to get across the Darien. It seems to change all the time, so I don’t know the current details, but I’ve heard of people shipping from Costa Rica->Ecuador, and certainly there are a bunch of things like Argentina or Chile -> Mexico.
You will have to do a bunch of Googling to see what people have been doing lately.
Good luck!

By: ivan

ivan — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 06:26:54 +0000

Hey Dan, I was wondering if Panama is the only way to get to Colombia, or maybe somewhere between Mexico and Panama there might be an easier/cheaper fright. Any info you know? Thanks, Ivan.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 05 May 2011 16:06:07 +0000

Hey Rudy,
The sprinter is an excellent, excellent choice. You are going to have an amazing adventure
All the best, let me know if I can help in any way.
-Dan

By: Rudy Z

Rudy Z — Wed, 04 May 2011 17:44:22 +0000

Thanks Dan, I just bought an ’08 Sprinter (picking it up on Friday) based on your input and other research that I did. The Mercedes diesel engine is the same throughout the world, and getting a diesel stove (pricey!) and heater simplified the electrical budget. Thanks again and happy travels.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 04 May 2011 06:14:53 +0000

Hey Rudy,
From my memory, Ford vehicles are around, although not overly common in Central America, and then even more common in South.
You might find they don’t have the exact same model, or engine, but at least you know a ford dealer will be able to order anything you are desperate for.
Mechanics on the side of the road are geniuses, and labor is free

By: Rudy Z

Rudy Z — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 19:30:46 +0000

Love your site Dan. Thinking about doing something similar starting this September in a converted Ford van. Do you se many Ford vehicles in SA?

By: TheDude

TheDude — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 08:52:48 +0000

Great inspiring story mate. Good luck in the future. Cheers

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:50:16 +0000

Hey Warren, Do some searching around the web – sites like http://www.drivetheamericas.com, http://www.expeditionportal.com, http://www.horizonsunlimited.com are invaluable.

By: warren

warren — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:41:49 +0000

hey there dan. i was just wondering how you teamed up with another car to share the container with. were hoping to get a crate soon and would make it loads easier to share. cheers. w

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 19:53:19 +0000

Hey Oscar, I’m glad you found the information useful.
In just about every central american country I listed the price of gas, you’ll have to do through to find it.
Your nissan will serve you well, there are a ton of them around here.
Good luck, and I’m happy to help with any more questions you have.
-Dan

By: Oscar

Oscar — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 21:35:03 +0000

Hello! Dan
Man that was a great deal you got !
I heard a lot of different fees from a bunch of people, this is really good information.
I have been looking at your site on the last 2 days looking for information about any prices
on gas across central america, if you have any info about it Please let me know, I doing this trip on a budget and save as much money as I can.

Keep the good work, I looking to read more posting about your trip.
I should be leaving within 8 weeks if everything goes well
Remember to check out my site:
http://www.myonewayhome.com

Oscar