Does anyone have any suggestions or know anything about the boat rides from panama to columbia? I will be in Panama in February and am looking to get into south america before i leave in april. I will be with one friend, we need suggestions. I have heard mixed feelings about taking a boat. We are willing to fly but wanting to take the cheaper route but also want a good experience. Thanks for the help.

Any backpacker hostel in Panama City (I think there are 3 or 4) will help you book passage. If you can plan it... talk to someone in advance so you can get a schedule. For me to cross the gap I would have waited for 3 weeks (though I also had a motorcycle) for an appropriate boat.

I stayed at http://mamallena.com/ . They were super helpful and had connections with tons of boat outfits. The best reports I've heard were all onboard the http://www.stahlratte.org

I ended up flying with Copa Airlines. This was entirely pleasant and cost the same as a boat - $300USD. You can find a backpacker boat a little cheaper (200ish?).. but they were all around 300 at the end of last year. The hardcore / much cheaper alternative is to go to Colon and try to find boat there. If you're not risk adverse and have some time, it is probably the most interesting option =]

Boats aren't going to be any cheaper, it is just a more interesting experience. Though flying was fun too.. flew on a bigol turboprop and was met off the plane by a customs officials and escorted to the front of the line. Popoyan doesn't get many gringos and they seemed very happy to help us

While in Colombia, I talked to some people that took the boat trip - a few of whom suffered from sea-sickness (so don't underestimate the passage if you're prone to nausea).

The best advice I've heard and read is to get a solid recommendation for a boat captain. This is not the time to go with the cheapest guy in the harbor!