best place to stop in Panama

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by jwrsailing

Looking for something a little further south down the line if possible somewhere near or more south than Colon. Shelter Bay?

Panama's orientation can make it a bit confusing...areas "further down the line" from Colon are to the East.

From Colon area W to E:

Marinas:

Shelter Bay Marina (actually a little W or Colon). Everything you need, more amenties than any other Atlantic side marina, but affectionately known as "Shelter Pay".

Linton Bay Marina. A work in progress but has all u need. Short bus ride to Portobelo.

Turtle Bay Marina. A bit isolated but closest marina to San Blas. Has fuel.

Anchorages:

Anchoring in the canal zone is generally discourged unless tansitting.

Naranja Abajo. No facilities here but a nice anchorage just E of Canal/Colon.

Buenaventura. Bay next to Portobelo. Pleasant spot. Less crowded and cleaner than Portobelo, but no yacht related services there...a few good resturants though.

Portobelo. No marina but u can get what you need and clear in/out. Can be a bit crowded and dirty. Historically significant.

Linton Bay. Popular anchorage. Basic supplies, fuel, etc ashore. Some skilled services too.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by jwrsailing

Going to make a stop for a day or two then cross over to Aruba from there actually.

Where are you headed? Aruba is to windward, against the Trades, from Panama and the area of ocean off Colombia between Panama & Aruba can get quite nasty...esp going the "wrong" way.

[model 10]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Where are you headed? Aruba is to windward, against the Trades, from Panama and the area of ocean off Colombia between Panama & Aruba can get quite nasty...esp going the "wrong" way.

This boat was talking about checking into MX for 2 days then moving on. The posts wander sometimes.

[BandB]

Originally Posted by Guy

Not sure that can happen in 2 days. You might not want to check in at all. Arrive Isla on a weekend and it probably would not be a problem. But otherwise it takes most of a day to check in and 1/2 day to check out. This plan sounds like a waste of time also it's not free.
I suggest you show up Fri afternoon in the Isla anchorage with your yellow flag flying or not, bop till you drop all weekend, don't get arrested, get some fuel and leave Monday morning. I've hung out at the port captains office, they ain't paying attention to the sailboat anchorage, boats are there longer sometimes.

One way to really minimize the check in is to use a local agent. Otherwise, just make sure you have everything they want and need all ready and have copies. Do not expect them to make copies. Processing can take an hour and making copies four hours. I never took us a half day to check in anywhere or to check out. Make sure they know you're coming and when you anticipate arriving.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by jwrsailing

Going to make a stop for a day or two then cross over to Aruba from there actually.

Originally Posted by Guy

This boat was talking about checking into MX for 2 days then moving on. The posts wander sometimes.

My impression was KW, MX, Panama then jump over to Aruba...sounded pretty good till that last bit.

OP?

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Flyingriki

I think there are two marinas in Bocas, and the new one a short boat ride away, Red Frog. Bocas town can get pretty noisy and is fairly third world if you like that. Lot of poverty nearby.

Red Frog is beautiful. New, quiet and near a cool beach etc. No fuel or stores, but both are not far away.

Yes, 3 marinas total in Bocas area: Bocas Marina, Carenero, Red Frog.

Red Frog is furthest from Bocas Town, but by far the nicest property.

There used to be a fuel dock next to Red Frog marina...dont know the current status.

You can take on fuel at Bocas Marina.

Bocas is pretty good for provisioning, but a little expensive.

On the Atlantic coast, Colon is the best place to provision.

[JayH]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

There used to be a fuel dock next to Red Frog marina...dont know the current status.

Red Frog's fuel dock is alive and well.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by JayH

Red Frog's fuel dock is alive and well.

Good. So, fuel on Atlantic Coast:

Bocas: Bocas Marina, Red Frog

Colon: Shelter Bay (diesel only...no gasoline...must go to Colon for that).

Linton Bay Marina

Turtle Bay Marina

You can also get gas and diesel in the San Blas, but diesel is by jerry jug...no fuel dock.

[TJ D]

Just a routing thought:

If you get some decent N'ly component in the trades, you might consider Cartagena if you can make it on one tack. It sounds like you're moving fast, and getting as much easting as you can, when you can will be beneficial.

As an added bonus, IMO, Cartagena is a way more interesting stop than the Panama marinas. Fuel, good provisioning, all that stuff is convenient too.

TJ

[belizesailor]

OP what time of year do you plan to do this?

Trades are seasonal in Panama. During trade win season (~ Dec - May...roughly) the area between Panama & Colombia can get ugly. Much more tranquil in summer months.

Take a look at pilot charts.

Where to after Aruba?

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by TJ D

Just a routing thought:

If you get some decent N'ly component in the trades, you might consider Cartagena if you can make it on one tack. It sounds like you're moving fast, and getting as much easting as you can, when you can will be beneficial.

As an added bonus, IMO, Cartagena is a way more interesting stop than the Panama marinas. Fuel, good provisioning, all that stuff is convenient too.

TJ

Yes, Cartagena is a cool city...and "stuff" is convenient...or so I hear. 😆

[jwrsailing]

Yea I dont want to touch Colombian shores and deal with that whole shakedown and hassle to be honest being what it is.

[jwrsailing]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

OP what time of year do you plan to do this?

Trades are seasonal in Panama. During trade win season (~ Dec - May...roughly) the area between Panama & Colombia can get ugly. Much more tranquil in summer months.

Take a look at pilot charts.

Where to after Aruba?

Going to make it further east and go up the chain after a stay in Aruba. Doing kind of a whole caribbean loop.

[Sea Life]

We have been/ still are doing exactly what you describe. Going backwards! It really is to much information to pass on unless you have specific questions. My wife has kept an extensive blog (tons of info). I would only add that Mexico and Panama have pretty hefty fees for 2 day stops. We planned on koving faster originally, but weather and fees made us slow down. After Panama we did Cartagena. Don't let rumors frighten you, it was a great stop. We then went to Puerto Rico on a "tight reach" vs. trying to get to ABCs. Now we are heading down the chain for hurricane season in Grenada.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by jwrsailing

Yea I dont want to touch Colombian shores and deal with that whole shakedown and hassle to be honest being what it is.

Shake down & hassle?

Ive cleared in/out at Providencia, San Andreas, Cartegena, and Santa Marta, never been shook down or hassled...always an easy experience.