Shipping The Darien Gap with a Dog

A step by step guide explaining all the steps to travel with your pet from Panama to Colombia. This post is in addition to Shipping The Darien Gap with Overland Embassy.

first Vet Visit

The easiest option is a vet 5 minutes from Overland Embassy. If you are camping on-site, even better. The vet will fully examine your pet. The health certificate takes 24 hours.

Second Vet Visit

Return the next day and collect your pets health certificate.

MIDA Certificate

Once you have your pets health certificate, it must be certified by the MIDA Ventanilla única mascotas. First, I recommend going to the Mini Market right next door. For $2.50 they will upload all of the information, make copies (health cert & vaccinations) and give you a number.

Take your copies and number next door to the MIDA office. Hand over copies and the number.

This process is very fast, less than 5 minutes. Pay 10 USD by card only and get the official form.

Panama locations

• Overland Embassy
• Vet Knino parking for the vet is here
• MIDA
• Mini Market

Transport to Panama Airport

Overall, Panama is pretty pet-friendly which makes life easy. Uber is fast, reliable and allows pets.

Pet friendly Airline to Colombia

The best airline to fly with a pet is COPA. They allow small dogs, ESA and Service Animals in the cabin. When you check-in you will need to provide the health certificate and any other documentation you have for ESA or SA.

Prepare your pet to fly

Here is how Porter prepared for his first flight:

Tips for flying with a dog

• Stop water intake 2-4 hours before flight
• Make sure they go to the bathroom driving to the airport
• Keep a short leash and your pet at your side.
• Bring lots of treats.
• Pack items for slow feeding: feeding mats or puzzles. I covered Porters activity dish with peanut butter.

flying To Colombia

I always loop Porter’s leash through my backpack strap and clip the ends to his backpack using a carabiner clip. This keeps my hands free and Porter at my side. Over the years Porter has been trained to only walk on my right side.

This has worked out great for a many reasons. It helps me physically and keeps him away from traffic. This keeps him close to me to not only feel secure, but when I stop he stops. When I start to walk he starts to walk. He is always right there to follow my lead. The leash has just enough slack for him to lay down at my feet.

For this adventure I put on Porters Ruffwear daypack. A dog backpack or harness is a much better way to lead a dog versus a standard collar. Plus when Porter wears his doggy backpack he knows we are going on a big adventure! I was so proud of him, he was absolutely perfect for the entire process.

In the airport he laid under my legs on the cool tile. The COPA staff had us board the airplane last, which I greatly appreciated. I wasn’t sure how well he would do sitting on the floor for such a long period of time.

The flight time from Panama City to Cartagena is only 75 minutes. The hardest part is waiting around in the airport and long immigration lines. Prepare to stand around for a few hours. Happy to report that Porter did an amazing job at the airport! So proud of him.

When we walked down the aisle, Porter was so proud. Just about every single person pet him.

Once we got to our seat I was able to guide him to the window. He wasn’t quite sure what to do with the small space but he quickly found crumbs on the floor and immediately laid down. Once we started to taxi, I gave him his activity bowl that I coated with peanut butter. This kept him busy for 45 minutes. The vast majority of the flight.

Entering Colombia

• The hardest part is waiting in line with your pet. Immigration took about 90 minutes for us. Porter was very tired and hot the entire time. He seemed quite confused having to stand up, move 6 inches and lay back down every 2 minutes. All in all he did an excellent job.
• I’m not sure, but maybe it is possible to ask and skip the line?
• After you get your luggage, a member from ICA will see you and guide you here. They will process the paperwork, you pay the fee and are free to go.

To easily see and save all the locations for Panama and Colombia, click here

Extra Tips

• In Colombia pets are illegal in Ubers. Kindly ask if it is okay, but prepare for taxi/uber drivers to say no.
• Cartagena is NOT pet-friendly. There are very few places that allow pets. It is much easier and cheaper to stay in Panama City as long as possible. If I could do it all over again, I would stay in Panama until the ship arrived to Colombia.
• TIP (Temporary Import Permit) for Colombia starts when you enter to Colombia. If I could do it all over again, I would wait in Panama until the cargo ship arrived to Colombia. Then fly in.

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