Panama - Profile
Facts
- For details on the Canal transit see here.
- The country is dominated by the Panama Canal and the surrounding Panama Canal Area, which were incorporated fully into Panama on 31 December 1999.
- Balboa on the Pacific and Cristobal in the Caribbean are the two main ports and gateways to the canal. The port of Cristobal incorporates the town of Colon.
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Panama has seen a significant expansion in marinas and services in the past 10 years, there are now 12 marinas which provide service to visiting yachts: 3 in Bocas del Toro; Shelter Bay at the Caribbean entrance to the canal and three more on the same coast; 5 on the Pacific side of the canal including the new Vista Mar Marina and the Pearl Island Project due to open in 2018. Several other marina projects are in development with completion TBD.
- The main cruising attractions in Panama are the 365 San Blas Islands off the Caribbean coast, a popular destination for yachts. Note that charting is inaccurate in the San Blas and most charting software is out by 200 yards West and 100 yards North. Navigate here with caution.
- On the Pacific side, the Las Perlas islands are another unspoilt cruising ground popular with boats en route to the Galapagos and South Pacific islands. Like in other isolated parts of the world, sailors are advised to only stop in a remote anchorage in the company of another boat.
- If you are entering the Bay of Panama from Costa Rica, go straight to the Perlas Islands and come up on the current. It is a longer distance but much quicker than trying to sail against the current. The shorter route from Punta Mala to Panama or Vacamonte is shorter, but the very strong current makes it a hard long sail.
- Getting work done: Haul out facilites are available at Bocas Marina, Balboa YC, Flamenco, Linton Bay and Shelter Bay. Yachts coming from the Caribbean planning to spend longer in Panama to undertake re-fit work should research carefully options available to them before arriving (i.e. cheaper costs vs skilled workforce).
- This useful report may help you avoid any pitfalls: Getting work done on your boat whilst long distance cruising.
- Note: Most brands of liferaft cannot be serviced in Panama. Be sure to get this organised beforehand.
- From the 1st February 2010 all persons or companies offering maritime services to ships or yachts must be in possession of an "Operation Licence". See Noonsite Report. Cruisers are advised to check that anyone offering them such services has a valid licence, but should be aware that this provides no guarantee of the quality of the service being offered.
- Provisioning: Good choice of large supermarkets. Excellent choice and value for money. If crossing the Pacific from here, this is the last good provisioning option. Be sure to stock up on non-perishables and alcohol.
- Navigation Hazards: Cruisers have reported half sunk logs on the passage from Porvenir to Portobelo. Care should be taken around the Panama coastline for such hazards.
SOURCES OF PANAMA INFORMATION
There are two Yahoo e-mail groups on the Internet specifically designed for cruisers to share information. Both groups have cruisers worldwide.
Cruisers Network Online - Caribbean Side of Panama
Cruisers Network Online’s website is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cruisers_Network_Online/
To subscribe to Cruisers Network Online, email Cruisers_Network_Online-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Southbound Group - Pacific Side of Panama
The Southbound Group’s website is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/southbound_group/
To subscribe to The Southbound Group, email Southbound_group-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Cruisers VHF Nets - Caribbean side of Panama
Shelter Bay Marina
VHF Channel 77 every morning at 7.30am
Bocas del Toro
VHF Channel 68 at 7.45am
Cruiser Resource Guide for Panama City
Free pdf download via noonsite - Edition December 2017.
Author: Debi Shaimas - sv Serenity
Karsten Staffeldt
Tel: (+507) 6492-9111
Contact in Panama for Danish Ocean Cruising Association (DOCA), Swedish Oceanseglingsklubben (OSK), Swedish Jorden Runt Seglar Klubben (JRSK) and Ocean Cruising Club. Can assist yachts with information and advice covering cruising Panama, Panama Canal transits, facilities etc and weather information. Note: Karsten does this as a hobby.
Rogelio de Hoyos
Tel: (+507) 6717-6745
Contact in Panama for Trans-Ocean e.V., Germany and Seven Seas Cruising Association. Can assist yachts with information and advice covering cruising Panama, Panama Canal transits, facilities etc. Also professional driver and official Canal Agent. Fluent in English.
See the Communications section for a list of SSB Radio Nets.
Panama Cruisers Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/panamacruisers/
San Blas Cruisers Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/sanblassailors/
Security
Alert March 2018: Protests over infrastructure turns violent in Panama's Colon city.
Several serious robberies/attacks that were reported in 2013 at Punta Chame (20 nm SW of the Balboa anchorage), Bocas del Toro and Colon and reports of stolen dinghies in Las Perlas, highlight the security situation in Panama. Along with other countries in this area, Panama is experiencing an increase in crime, partly relating to the drug trade, which is also affecting maritime activities. See security reports adjacent for further details.
Nowhere in Panama should yachts anchor at night in remote areas without being accompanied by other yachts.
In March 2014 a yacht anchored in an isolated area to the south of Taboga Island, Balboa, was boarded by armed pirates. See report here.
Unfortunately conditions in Colon have not improved in the last 10 years. Colon remains a risky place for tourists; snatch-and-run as well as hold-ups are all too common, even in daylight. One should avoid walking anywhere outside of the port and all shopping should be done by taxi.
The anchorage at Club Nautico, Colon, is not patrolled by the Panama Canal Police boats and boats have been boarded and robbed here in the past. This is not a recommended anchorage.
Cruisers report that the police in Panama City are quite adamant that you do NOT carry your original passport, but only a copy while traveling around within the City. The police are seriously concerned about theft.
San Blas Islands
Sadly in 2015 in the San Blas Islands, several cruising yachts were burgled and dinghy and outboard theft has been reported from the islands. Always secure your valuables.
Be aware that there are Crocodiles in many island groups in the San Blas.
The Caribbean Safety and Security Net (safetyandsecuritynet@gmail.com) provides information by anchorage or by island, so sailors can plan their cruising in the Caribbean with an eye to appropriate behaviour and precautions wherever they decide to go. Should you have suffered a boarding, robbery or attack on your yacht or have information about a yachting-related security incident, go to the CSSN homepage and click on the "Report an Incident" icon. The associated form is quick and simple to complete and ensures that all the necessary details are reported. The CSSN is the most comprehensive source of Caribbean security incidents against sailors. Remember, it is every cruiser's responsibility to ensure that incidents are reported. Also cruisers can subscribe to e-mail alerts, follow on facebook and twitter and listen to the SSB Voice Service.
Also be sure to check the noonsite Piracy & Safety Pages
Last updated March 2018.
Weather
The climate is hot and very humid, although cooled by the prevailing easterly winds. The dry season is January to April, and rain can be heavy in October and November. Panama is not affected by hurricanes.
Panama Weather (in Spanish)
www.hidromet.com.pa/index.php
Sailing Advisory Panama to Galapagos
For links to free global weather information, forecast services and extreme weather information see the Noonsite Weather Page.
Main Ports
Caribbean: Almirante * , Bocas del Toro * , Chiriqui Grande * , Cristobal (Colon) * , Green Turtle Cay Marina , Panamamarina & Puerto Lindo * , Portobelo * , Puerto Obaldia *
Pacific: Balboa * , Boca Chica , Cebaco Island , Las Perlas , Mensabe * , Pedregal * , Puerto Armuelles * , Puerto Mutis * , San Carlos - Vista Mar Marina *
San Blas Islands: Nargana (Rio Diablo) , Porvenir *
* indicates port of entry
Reported by S/Y Sannsipapp of Norway:
Panama Agent for packages.
I have the pleasure of recommending a good agent that makes all the hassle with receiving packages etc. from abroad go away. What this company does is having all sent through a PO box address in the USA, making import to Panama a lot easier. They charge not much for doing it, and the service is priceless. They take care of all paperwork, customs, clearance etc. for you and come to deliver the goods to on your boat, nearly wherever you might be. We had such a good experience with this guy.
The company has at least two offices in Panama City. Coray A Ward, Mail Boxes Etc, tel 507 2256254 or 66243216, c.ward@panamambe.com, www.mbe-ca.com
Axel H K Wold
S/Y Sannsipapp of Norway