Venezuela and Panama

[holmek]

Hi Y'all, Does anybody know whether there is any sign of Venezuela improving as a cruising destination?
And can someone let me know the current cost for transiting Panama canal with a 34', 5ton boat.
Many thanks.

[Blackie Swart]

Morning Holmek - we're in Suriname at the moment after crossing the Atlantic and then waiting (luckily) for hurricane season to pass.
The is still a lot of trouble in the Venezuela area. We are going up to Trinadad and have been advised to come around Trinadad from the North so as to keep out of Ven waters which would be the shorter route from the southern gap. The are lots of stories but none that can be confirmed i.e. Ven military harassing fisherman and robbing what they can off them. Currently Ven also has a malaria problem. Link on some news items but check it all out yourself Venezuela News - Top stories from Al Jazeera
Happy sailing.

[holmek]

Thanks Blackie. Fair winds.

[belizesailor]

Sailed from Curaçau to Panamá last year with a Venezualan friend. She still has family in Venezuela as do other Venezuelan friends (lots of expatriated Venezuelans here in Panamá now). Their concensus is that yes things are very bad, but not as bad in the rural areas or out on the islands (but still not good there either). Before I joined the boat it did stop at some of the Venezualan islands on route from Grenada with no problems. We sailed close to the Venezualan islands near Colombia (Los Monjes) with no problems. But, certainly as an American, I would not consinder stopping in Venezuela.

Also see www.noonsite.com for updates.

Bottom line: Venezuela is a failing state...not a good time for casual tourism or cruising.

[belizesailor]

Re canal costs. See this thread:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=180640