Photo: Sol Cerrud / Unsplash
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Leg 3 · The canal — then ship around the Darién

Panama

The end of the North American road. After the canal and Panama City, the van ships around the Darién Gap to Colombia.

What to see

5 stops we’re not missing

  1. 01

    The Panama Canal

    Watch ships rise and fall through the Miraflores locks on the waterway that splits the continent.

  2. 02

    Casco Viejo

    Panama City’s restored colonial old town — plazas, rooftops, and the skyline across the bay.

  3. 03

    San Blas (Guna Yala)

    Hundreds of palm-fringed turquoise islands governed by the Indigenous Guna — and a popular sail route around the Darién.

  4. 04

    Boquete

    Cool highland coffee country beneath the Barú volcano, with cloud forest and the Quetzal trail.

  5. 05

    Bocas del Toro

    A Caribbean archipelago of stilt towns, reefs, and jungle islands.

! What to watch for

  • Heat and humidity are relentless
  • Busy Panama City traffic
  • The road simply ends at the Darién — shipping must be arranged in advance

⛽ Diesel & DEF

ULSD is increasingly available in cities; DEF in Panama City. Fill clean tanks before shipping (fuel is drained for transit).

🛂 Borders & permits

Mandatory liability insurance for the vehicle — confirm the current rate and term with your agent (Panama has moved toward a 3-month minimum). Arrange Darién shipping 2–4 weeks ahead.

How we ship around the Darién Gap (and the lithium-battery catch) →

Sources & further reading

Safety notes link to the live official travel advisory — always check it before you go.