5 nights, Puerto Lindo to Cartagena
Sailing Panama to Colombia
Start in Panama, spend three days island hopping through San Blas, then cross the Caribbean to the old city of Cartagena.
5 nights
Puerto Lindo → Cartagena
3 days
among the San Blas Islands
$725
from, per person
35–40 h
open-sea crossing to Colombia
Our route
We start from Puerto Lindo rather than collecting passengers in the islands. On average that gives you more time in San Blas than boats offering four nights, and getting to Puerto Lindo from Panama City is cheaper too.
Where we anchor depends on weather and sea conditions. Expect three to five groups of islands before the crossing to Cartagena. Below is a sample itinerary; the captain may change it for reasons outside our control.
Day by day
Day 1
Departure from Puerto Lindo
A crew member meets you in Puerto Lindo. Most people come with the group shuttle from Panama City, which drops you right at the meeting point. After a briefing everyone boards and we set sail for the islands.
Day 2
San Blas Islands
Your first full day in San Blas, usually in the western part of the archipelago. Chichime and El Porvenir are popular spots around here.
Day 3
San Blas Islands
We head east to the outer, more secluded islands. Fewer tourists, cleaner water, and the noisy speedboats can’t reach these anchorages. Some of the best spots in San Blas.
Day 4
San Blas Islands, then set sail
The last day in the islands. Coco Bandero is a favourite place to relax before we leave in the afternoon, beyond the reefs and towards Cartagena.
Day 5
At sea
A full day and night on the open Caribbean. Fingers crossed for a smooth crossing, but pack sea-sickness tablets anyway.
Day 6
Arrival in Cartagena de Indias
We arrive in the morning or early afternoon. After breakfast and the official formalities you leave the boat at Club Náutico marina, a short taxi from Getsemaní and the old town. An agent handles immigration, which can take a few hours; your passport is returned at an afternoon or evening meetup at a local bar or hostel.
Getting to Puerto Lindo
The trip starts in Puerto Lindo, about 2.5 hours from Panama City. There are no banks or ATMs in Puerto Lindo, so bring all the cash you need before leaving the city.
Group shuttle, $25 per person
A direct shuttle collects you early on departure morning from any central hostel or hotel in Panama City and drops you at the meeting point. Easiest option: we can arrange it for you.
Public bus, about $12 per person
Only works if you leave Panama City at least the day before departure. You need at least one connection and buses can be crowded. You won’t make it on time if you leave on departure morning.
What’s included
Included
- Five nights on board, in a shared cabin
- All meals, plus tea, coffee and drinking water
- Standard immigration agent and port fees
- A fresh lobster or seafood feast
- Snorkel gear, beach and water toys
Not included
- Guna Yala tourist tax ($20 USD, cash)
- Alcoholic drinks (bring your own)
- Transport to or from Puerto Lindo
- Visas, if you need one
- Travel insurance (required)
What to expect
How comfortable is the boat?
We run island-hopping adventure trips, not luxury charters or honeymoon cruises. Space and privacy are limited, so the trip suits open-minded adventure travellers and backpackers.
Will it be hot on board?
It’s the tropics. Sleeping areas have fans, but hatches sometimes need to stay closed while sailing for safety, so nights can be warm.
Can I shower?
Fresh water is saved for safety on an offshore trip. A rinse-down shower is usually possible once during the trip, depending on the tank. The Caribbean is your bathtub.
What’s the food like?
Hearty, home-cooked and plenty of it, with fresh ingredients, homemade salsas, salads and a lobster or seafood feast. Vegetarian, pescatarian and gluten-free diets can be catered for: tell us when you book. We can’t cook separate meals for ingredients you don’t like.
Are there dogs on board?
Yes, both boats have friendly canine crew members. Good to know if you have an allergy. On some trips we can also take passengers travelling with their dog.
Do trips get delayed?
Rarely, but weather, port authorities or mechanical issues can cause delays. Don’t book on a tight schedule: leave a 48-hour buffer before your next travel plans and bring travel insurance.
Do we actually sail?
Whenever the wind allows. Too much wind, too little, or wind from the wrong direction means the engine helps out, because the boat also has a schedule to keep.
What is there to do?
Snorkeling, swimming, paddling, beach games and plenty of hammock time. When possible the crew arranges a visit to a Guna village and a pirate party with a bonfire on the beach.
More questions? Read the full FAQ or the terms and conditions.
San Blas, or Guna Yala
Guna Yala is an autonomous territory of around 350 islands off Panama’s Caribbean coast. Its people, the Guna, have their own laws, language, congress and a culture you’ll see in their colourful molas.
Our boats have sailed here for well over a decade. We have a great relationship with the island families, who always give us a warm welcome. Please respect their home: the tourist tax goes to the Guna community.
Next departures
Our two boats sail in opposite directions: while one leaves Panama, the other leaves Cartagena. Pick a trip to start your booking. Each boat takes about 20 pirates, so popular dates fill up fast.
Panama → Colombia
Puerto Lindo to Cartagena
- 21 Oct 2026 – Wild Card
- 30 Oct 2026 – Sovereign Grace
- 6 Nov 2026 – Wild Card
- 22 Nov 2026 – Sovereign Grace
- 29 Nov 2026 – Wild Card
- 18 Dec 2026 – Sovereign Grace
- 22 Dec 2026 – Wild Card
- 9 Jan 2027 – Wild Card
- 17 Jan 2027 – Sovereign Grace
- 31 Jan 2027 – Wild Card
- 8 Feb 2027 – Sovereign Grace
- 20 Feb 2027 – Wild Card
- 28 Feb 2027 – Sovereign Grace
- 11 Mar 2027 – Wild Card
- 20 Mar 2027 – Sovereign Grace
- 2 Apr 2027 – Wild Card
- 11 Apr 2027 – Sovereign Grace
- 23 Apr 2027 – Wild Card
- 1 May 2027 – Sovereign Grace
- 12 May 2027 – Wild Card
- 22 May 2027 – Sovereign Grace
- 3 Jun 2027 – Wild Card
- 10 Jun 2027 – Sovereign Grace
Colombia → Panama
Cartagena to Puerto Lindo
- 29 Oct 2026 – Wild Card
- 10 Nov 2026 – Sovereign Grace
- 18 Nov 2026 – Wild Card
- 6 Dec 2026 – Wild Card
- 10 Dec 2026 – Sovereign Grace
- 29 Dec 2026 – Wild Card
- 7 Jan 2027 – Sovereign Grace
- 19 Jan 2027 – Wild Card
- 29 Jan 2027 – Sovereign Grace
- 10 Feb 2027 – Wild Card
- 18 Feb 2027 – Sovereign Grace
- 2 Mar 2027 – Wild Card
- 9 Mar 2027 – Sovereign Grace
- 23 Mar 2027 – Wild Card
- 31 Mar 2027 – Sovereign Grace
- 13 Apr 2027 – Wild Card
- 21 Apr 2027 – Sovereign Grace
- 3 May 2027 – Wild Card
- 10 May 2027 – Sovereign Grace
- 24 May 2027 – Wild Card
- 1 Jun 2027 – Sovereign Grace
- 21 Jun 2027 – Sovereign Grace
Dates not working for you? Message the crew on WhatsApp and we’ll find the next boat with space.
Straight from the crew’s inbox
Real reviews from people who sailed with us. Read them all on Tripadvisor.
★★★★★
Amazing!!!
“This was the best experience ever!!! I loved every single minute of it. The crew of the Sovereign Grace were so professional and helpful the whole entire way. The islands were beautiful, the food was amazing, and the boat was just such a special experience in itself. I’ll never forget it!!”
Lily, sailed with friends, June 2025
★★★★★
Love the Sovereign Grace!!
“Wow! What an experience on the Sovereign Grace! It really exceeded my already high expectations! Big shout out to Lindsay, Manu and Niko who really made this experience for us! If you want a fun and social experience with lots of really great food and of course beautiful scenery then I couldn’t recommend the Sovereign Grace enough. Even as a solo traveller I felt like I became part of a family on the boat.”
Bridget A, solo traveller, December 2025
★★★★★
Paradise
“We had an unforgettable trip sailing from Colombia to Panama aboard Wild Card.”
Alex M, Tripadvisor
★★★★★
San Blas Panama to Colombia
“I was on the Sovereign Grace. Nothing to say but WOW!”
Michael S, Tripadvisor
Got a pirate in you?
Swap the flight for five nights of islands, sunsets and new friends. Spots are limited on every departure.