Capurgana
The embassy replied promptly, confirming South Africans didn’t need a visa to enter
Panama and attached a letter from the Panamanian Embassy stating the necessary.
Even though in English, I printed the letter and set out to the Panamanian
Consulate.
As we waited patiently, the two unhelpful ladies continued playing their computer
games (they could’ve at least switched the sound off!). They weren’t going to get
rid of us that easily. Eventually, one picked up a cell phone, left the room, and
returned, informing us no visa was needed. She advised us to proceed to Puerto
Obaldia and present the embassy’s letter. One couldn’t be sure whether she really
phoned– she might merely have wanted to get rid of us. Upon asking the name and
phone number of the person she spoke to, the reply was “general enquiries” and
she couldn’t give us any name or number.
Armed with this info, we returned to the Colombian Immigration. This time, the
staff could miraculously cancel our previous exit stamps and give us new ones.