If you're going to do Central and South America, your trip is not worth doing unless you sail the Sand Blass islands from Panama to Columbia. I guarantee you even if you suffer from server sea sickness while on your way to the islands it will all be worth it when you find yourself in paradise.
The easiest way to book your trip is through a hostel. Although we stayed in Casa Areka we organised our boat tour through hostel Mamalina. Make sure you communicate to the Mamalina guys that you want a fun party boat for backpackers, we were lucky enough to get a spot on their craziest boat available - Galitano del Mar. For $550 USD this includes 5 days travel/accommodation on the boat, all food provided, access to deserted islands, water activities, and probably the most fun you'll have in your lifetime.
Before boarding we we're introduced to the crew; Soph the Aussie cook, Cappy the French Captain, his Colombian sidekick and their pet dog Mistick. We quickly made friends with the other 18 backpackers on board and spent the first day drinking before setting sail for the islands. If you're prone to motion sickness or just generally value a good nights rest I suggest buying a box of duramine, one will take your nausea away, two will knock you out cold for atleast 12 hours.
When we awoke after a bumpy night battling waves we were finally surround by islands! For the next 3 days this paradise was ours, with no other boat or tour in sight. Soph cooked up the best food imaginable, we drank lots, visited some '2 dollar shops' on the islands and spent the nights playing drinking games and sinking way too much rum.
After our short 3 day stint island hopping we were ready for the 36hr straight sail to Colombia - as we arrived at the peer at Cartagena bleary eyed, sea sick and weathered it never felt so good to plant our feet on solid ground.
South America; it begins.
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