Firstly there are no roads bridging the gap between Colombia and Panama despite many efforts over the years to put one in place. There have been various environmental and political issues in getting this commissioned and as a result there is a large untamed wilderness of around 10,000 square miles of jungle and swampland with no road infrastructure. Secondly several Colombian guerilla groups (including the left wing FARCs and right wing paramilitaries) are active in the region and therefore even if you got your hands on the most capable of 4x4 vehicles it is ill advised to attempt to cross this region.
Many travellers to the Americas hold romantic ideals of travelling from the extreme North of Canada down overland through the whole of North America, the thin Central American countries and down through South America to the southern tip where the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans meet.
Those exploring this ideal for the first time begin to research with great optimism Pan-American Highway. This great network of roads links the Americas and from North to South it descends through Canada and the US (unofficially) and then the officially starting at the US / Mexico border it passes through Central America and then from Colombia it passes through Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Argentina.
Those exploring this ideal for the first time begin to research with great optimism Pan-American Highway. This great network of roads links the Americas and from North to South it descends through Canada and the US (unofficially) and then the officially starting at the US / Mexico border it passes through Central America and then from Colombia it passes through Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Argentina.
The Pan-American Highway | Darien Gap
Most of those travelling in South America will use this highway at some stage. In Ecudor in extends from north to south taking in the capital, Quito. Then passing into Peru is passing down the countries Pacific Coast with many of the most popular tourist attractions and Lima just a few miles off this main artery.
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The total network of roads is nearly 50,000 kilometres long with only one notable gap. The network is rudely interrupted by a relatively small area of jungle on the Panama / Colombia border known as the Darien Gap.
If you look on a road map of Panama, the road south to Colombia stops abruptly at the town of Yaviza and although there are a couple of small outposts a little nearer Colombia, this is in reality the end of the road, and actually beyond the end of the road for most travelers heading north to south.
The Darien Gap
The Darien gap is a region of southern Panama that borders Colombia and is the only overland route into South America. In principal crossing overland from Panama to Colombia (or vice versa) is possible and has been completed after all there is solid enough ground beneath you as you travel. However to all intents and purposes at the time of writing this article, and for the recent past, it is strictly off limits for the vast majority of travellers.
If you look on a road map of Panama, the road south to Colombia stops abruptly at the town of Yaviza and although there are a couple of small outposts a little nearer Colombia, this is in reality the end of the road, and actually beyond the end of the road for most travelers heading north to south.
The Darien Gap
The Darien gap is a region of southern Panama that borders Colombia and is the only overland route into South America. In principal crossing overland from Panama to Colombia (or vice versa) is possible and has been completed after all there is solid enough ground beneath you as you travel. However to all intents and purposes at the time of writing this article, and for the recent past, it is strictly off limits for the vast majority of travellers.
At the time of writing this article we were advised against attempting to cross the Darien Gap and therefore we haven’t travelled in the region. It is advisable if you’re looking to travel between Colombia and Panama that you seek alternative plans such as an international flight or look into the ferry services that are available.
The Future of the Gap
The barrier of the gap is partly natural due the dense rainforest that covers the region and over more recent years the significant safety concerns from Guerilla activity have further reinforced this. The only overland link to Colombia has meant that it has become a route in for arms and a route out for the drug cartels, which makes it a violently contested region.
The Future of the Gap
The barrier of the gap is partly natural due the dense rainforest that covers the region and over more recent years the significant safety concerns from Guerilla activity have further reinforced this. The only overland link to Colombia has meant that it has become a route in for arms and a route out for the drug cartels, which makes it a violently contested region.
However whilst violent activity in the region is preventing travellers from visiting the region it is also stopping conservationists from maintaining the region and as a result small scale farmers and timber merchants are encroaching on the region to make their living from the gap’s rainforest. This in turn means the physical barrier is being slowly broken down and if the violent conflicts can be controlled (a big if as things stand) then there will be significant pressure to complete the road connection. If this does happen then there will be a requirement for significant control of the border, as it could no longer be relied on for a natural defense.
Mike Walker - 4th November 2007
Mike Walker - 4th November 2007
