Panama Clearance Question .......

[gbanker]

We are currently in Santa Marta, and will be heading to the San Blas. What are people doing for clearance into Panama when headed that way from Columbia? If we can't clear in to Panama at Obaldia what are our options for clearing in elsewhere?
Thanks

[KatKokomo]

The other place in the San Blas is Porvenir.

[Jimbo485]

We cleared in a few weeks ago at Porvenir, also sailed across from Santa Marta. Maybe we met you at that windy dock party on New Years Eve?

Anyway, the clearing in at Porvenir is fairly straighforward and relaxed except for the "cruising permit". Supposedly you have to pay the annual charge even if you will only be here for a month or two. We had a bit of discussion about it but the Port Capitan in Porvenir stuck to his point. It cost us about $200. And then about $30 for immigration and $20 for the Kuna Congress. Quite expensive when totalled up.