Has anyone found a remotely ´budget´way of experiencing the Darien?
It is fairly affordable to get to La Palma, but going on from there seems to involve being taken under the wing of ANCON (which is really expensive), or banking on being able to find local guides and boatsmen, both of which, by all accounts, are also very expensive.
Any hints/tips would be fantastic. Thanks!
You really should have a completely different approach to the Darien Gap area, as its one the most remote, raw, off the beaten path, hard to get to, around and through areas on the planet. Few people even consider this unique wilderness and geographically obscure area.
Like most remote and rugged frontiers, from Nepal to Alaska, the Darien Gap is a challenge for most people logistically, and not so much financially.
Also, what is so expensive? Compared to what? A guide for the day, lodging and permits, is very reasonable, according to the info I have read.
1 in 100,000 visitors to Panama even consider the DG as a sight seeing venue, I imagine.
We did a trip to Punta Patino Nature Reserve with Ancon Exped. in 2005.Good reliable company with awesome guides.The highlight for us was the Embera village.Unforgetable experience esp. for our daughter.Unfortunately we didn't see much in the way of bird or wildlife at that time. In hindsight we wished we'd gone to Cana or combined the two. Yes it was expensive but we adjusted our budget elsewhere in our Panama trip.The one problem we encountered was flights to and from the Darien are never on schedule,we weren't surprised but if you're on a 2-3 day tour it cuts into your time. In my research of a recent trip to Ecuador I ran across site posted by a Dutch couple who traveled thru Central and South America. They visited the Darien on a budget. The site is www.baseneelco.com,check it out.If you chose to go the budget route fluent Spanish would an asset in the Darien.Hope this helps.The Breeze
How is your spanish ???
You know, one thing is the Darien GAP and trying to cross to Colombia, and another thing is to visit the Darien.
Im sure you can find an affordable guide that can show you around, but try to share costs with other travellers,
I used to offer expeditions to the Darien a couple of years ago and it was one of the greatest experiences in my life. Here is the link for my old website http://altovoltaje.com/index2.htm Im sure you can find some interesting information and ideas.
Travel safe !!
Go go go,
darien is cheap, great and easy to travel around. I have been going there for months. You are welcome in every village, boot transport is cheap, you can always hitch a ride. Mail me if i need to give you some tips at info@panamaniac.net. There is a guy called pilli in punta alegra, he will pick you up in palma, take you to mobue or fishing for a morning, to caves, nature walks and all the way to sambu from were you can fly back
good luck and go before the rains come
Fly to Sambu and stay at the Sambu Hause (www.sambuhausedarienpanama.com)... They can arrange trips on the river and into the Jungle...
Cheers,
Andrew