Panama or Costa Rica to get to Caribbean?

[Chris_Pountney]

Hello everyone,

My name is Chris and I've been travelling around the world by bicycle for a number of years. I don't fly and would like to visit the Caribbean if possible, continuing my no-airplane rule. My plan was to crew on sailing boats, but I'm worried because obviously the hurricane season is going to make things very difficult!

My first question is how can I get to the Caribbean!? I'm currently cycling in Nicaragua and I'm thinking that I will try and find a boat in Limon, Costa Rica, or in Colon, Panama, that is heading for Jamaica or Cuba. Does anyone think those are good places to look, and which is the best option? Are boats heading that way at this time of year? I can get to Limon by 20th April. Would there be any other ports that would be better?

Secondly, if I do make it up to the north Caribbean, are there still going to be boats sailing south through the islands in May, so close to the hurricane season? What about in June?

Any help or advice about finding boats would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris

[belizesailor]

Few cruising boats visit Costa Rica's Carib coast. Way more visit Panama. They cluster around Bocas del Toro, Shelter Bay Marina (near Colon), Portobelo, Linton Bay, and the San Blas islands.

[Chris_Pountney]

Thanks for the reply. I am now in Bocas del Toro waiting for the offers to start rolling in...

Also would still love to hear people's thoughts on Caribbean boat traffic through May and June?

Thanks

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Chris.