 Puerto Obaldia : Profile
A convienient port of entry for Panama if coming from Colombia, however the anchorage here is often untenable and should not be relied upon. Next port for clearance - Porvenir, Portobelo, or Colon.
Puerto Obaldia has a large military/police presence because inland the Darien border between Colombia and Panama is a major drug smuggling highway.
To clear in, row ashore and secure the dinghy to a tree. Show your passport at the police stop and then proceed past an army post and over a footbridge to the immigration and customs offices.
Officials are said to be courteous and efficient. A Panama cruising
permit may be optional here, but eventually you will have to get
one because you cannot get a zarpe to leave the country without one. Be
sure to check that the end date on your cruising permit is for a whole 365
days and not just for the remainder of the calendar year - the mistake can
be corrected in Colon but it is a nuisance.
If your Colombian Zarpe lists your destination as Puerto Obaldia and weather prevents you entering there, avoid Porvenir and make your Panama entry in Portobelo, where your situation will be treated with sympathy.
The anchorage at (N0839.84, W7725.33) is a bay offering no protection when waves are from the NW. Your boat needs to be under constant watch because of the swell. The holding is poor. It is recommended to talk and listen to the locals, they have seen some boats stranded.
Last updated August 2011
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