'''Puerto Obaldia''' is a city in Kuna Yala. A ramshackle collection of decrepit houses, mostly with damaged or missing roofs, a beach littered with rubbish. An internet cafe, a supermarket, two hostels, two restaurants. But Puerto Obaldia is the little known and dirt-cheap alternative to travel from Colombia to Panama and vice versa.

Get in

by boat from Colombia

Get the ferry from Turbo to Capurgana (leaves at 7am or later daily, COP$ 49000). If there are sufficient passengers, there is a direct boat from Capurgana to Puerto Obaldia (COP$ 20000). Theoretically it is possible to walk from Capurgana to Sapzurro (2.5h) and from Sapzurro to Puerto Obaldia (2.5h), but it is not advisable to do this, as this is a dicy area with smugglers, bandits and guerillas combing it, and the Panamanian army may not let you into Puerto Obaldia. Get your out-stamp in Capurgana and your in-stamp in Puerto Obaldia.

by air

Aeroperlas Regional [http://www.aeroperlas.com] (315 7500/315 7520) flies about three times a week from Albrook airport in Panama city to Puerto Obaldia. The flight is about USD 85.

by road

Puerto Obaldia cannot be reached overland.

Get around

The roads are big enough for motorbikes but there is so far only one in town. Walking is the best option.

See

Do

Once you have seen all the rubbish along the beach and the sewers leading right onto the beach, you won't ever bathe here!

Buy

  • Super Mas. ext to the main square. The shop with the biggest selection in town with plenty of beer and other alcoholic drinks.

    Eat

    There is tasty food at the 'Las tres L' restaurant in town, although pricey (Almuerzo corriente USD 3). There is another restaurant near the runway.
  • Restaurant Caleta. pposite from Pension Cande, close by to the main square. rom $3 . Restaurant run by the owner of Pension Cande. Reasonable breakfasts, lunches and dinners. You need to tell in advance if you want to have your dinner here.

    Drink

    Sleep

  • '''Pension Cande''', very simple accommodation USD 5 with shared bathroom or USD 10 self-contained. Prices may be netogiable depending on how busy they are.
  • Contact

    Get out

    by boat to Colombia

    If there are sufficient passengers, there is a direct boat to Capurgana in Colombia (about USD 15). In Capurgana, you can get a ferry to Turbo (COP$ 49000). Theoretically it is possible to walk from Puerto Obaldia to Sapzurro (2.5h) and from Sapzurro to Capurgana (2.5h), but it is not advisable to do this, as this is a dicy area with smugglers, bandits and guerillas combing it, and the Panamanian army will require you to get a permit to leave the town. Get your out-stamp in Puerto Obaldia and your in-stamp in Capurgana. There is a Colombian Consulate in Puerto Obaldia.

    by boat to the San Blas

    At the time of writing, a guy called Daboberto was offering rides to Mulatupo o Sasardi (where there is an airport) for $25.

    by air

    Aeroperlas Regional [http://www.aeroperlas.com] (315 7500/315 7520) flies about three times a week to Albrook airport in Panama city. It's highly advisable to phone and book beforehand, as the flights can get booked up and Puerto Obaldia is not a place you will want to spend more time then you need to. The flight is about $63 (plus $1 departure tax payable in Puerto Obaldia) and you pay upon arrival in Panama City. Credit cards are accepted. There are ultra-tough customs checks upon arrival, as this is one of the main drug trafficing zone in Panama. Pray that you don't have any dirty underwear on display, as your bag will be unpacked in front of everybody and every item it will be removed and thoroughly prodded and squeezed.

    It is also possible to get a launch from Puerto Obaldia to Mulatupo and from there get an Air Panama [http://www.flyairpanama.com] flight to Panama City.

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