Around ten years ago Emily sailed from Cartagena, Colombia to Panama with her aunt and uncle through the incredible San Blas Islands in the Kuna Yala district of Panama. It was an amazing experience. So when we started making plans for this Pan-Am journey and thinking about crossing the Darién Gap, we got excited about the possibility of crossing to South America by sailboat.
San Blas Islands.
Most of our time in Panama was dedicated to arranging the dreaded crossing of the Darién Gap, but we did get a chance to enjoy some great places, and even got in some good climbing on a spectacular rock wall.
Climbing wall near Boquete.
Costa Rica continued to charm us as we successfully sought out the elusive quetzal, hiked through cloud forests, and crossed many more rivers to make our way to deserted beaches on the fringes of wild jungle.
Playa Josecita and the edge of Corcovado National Park.
Ah, Costa Rica. True to its reputation, the land of Pura Vida did not fail to impress. For three weeks we basked in the warm waters, surfed the waves, hiked the jungles, ooohed and ahhed at the amazing flora and fauna, and drove some epic roads, including several river crossings.
Where the road appears to end…