Considering a road trip that spans both North and South America might seem like an adventurous plan, but there are significant perils that could make you think twice about it.
Despite living in an era where travel seems easier than ever, crossing from North America to South America isn’t as straightforward as it appears.
Imagining a journey with friends, exploring diverse nations and cultures over several months, sounds thrilling, doesn’t it?
However, this ambition may hit a roadblock due to the lack of a direct road between these continents. Hiking isn’t a safer alternative either, primarily because of the Darien Gap.
The Darien Gap serves as a geographical connector between the continents, extending from Panama’s Darién Province to Colombia’s Chocó Department.
A video from the GeoGlobeTales YouTube channel illustrates the hazards present in the Darien Gap, suggesting that tackling it might not be advisable.
The video narrator explains: “Did you know it is physically impossible to cross from North America to South America by road? It is all because of this piece of land, the Darien Gap.
“[It is] one of the most dangerous places on the planet that even breaks the longest road in the world.
“An attempt to cross this section can be deadly.”
Like many perilous locations worldwide, the Darien Gap’s dangers are multifaceted, even if you’re not attempting a vehicular crossing.
This region spans approximately 160 kilometers of dense jungles, swamps, and mountains, making it quite challenging for long-distance travel.
Although these obstacles might justify constructing a road to connect Panama and Colombia, the reality is far more complex.
The Darien Gap’s humid climate, challenging terrain, and persistent rainfall render road construction both difficult and costly.
The video further explains the struggles faced by migrants attempting to traverse this area, which has been described as ‘hell on Earth’.
The narrator notes: “The Darien gap is the only land route for migrants, who in search of a better life, try to cross these impassable jungles but not all of them reach their destination.
“The danger isn’t just due to the difficult terrain and wildlife because of the lack of government control makes it home to a large number of criminals, smugglers and armed gangs.”