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Hi,
here for you to publish the tips at ther borders in Central America
Hi,
I traveled from march til august 2000 with a BMW R 1100 GS through
Central America (from Mexico to Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa
Rica,
Panama and than to Columbia) without a Carnet de Passage. The bike
is
Registered in Germany and I am a German citizen.
With this summary I would like to share my experience at the borders.
If you
Have further questions, please contact me at erwinthoma hotmail.com.
General tips for border crossings.
Avoid weekends and public holidays, sometimes it takes longer (more
clients,
less officers), extra fees will be charged and it is harder to get
photocopies at the borders.
Arrive at the early morning or shortly after lunch break. So you
avoid
waiting during the lunch break. Or show up shortly before they close
the
border (Check your guidebook concerning the working time of the
borderpost).
Dress nicely to avoid to be asked for sufficient funds. Mostly
people will treat you better, if you look nice.
Be polite, even if you think the officer is an asshole or you know
that
he is
one. You do not know the laws, bureaucracy all over the world is not
based
on logical thinking and finally the officer has all the power, you
have
none
just the wish to enter the country.
Always visit first the migration office before the customs office.
Try to park the bike so, that at least you can see it after doing
some
steps.
I needed nobody to help me. At most of the borders are guides. May
be
it is
helpful and a little bit faster if you ask them for help. Clarify
the
costs
before you ask them for help.
Be patient. It took me mostly about 45 minutes to 1 hour to cross
the
border, but sometimes computers are out of order, the officer is
visiting
his girlfriend or........
If you are told that something you ask for is not possible try to
find
out
why and if there is a good reason, try to talk to the supervisor.
It could
be
helpful when you meet the chief of the borderpost or customs office.
Sometimes they can allow an exception.
Never offer money without being asked for. If you are asked for money,
ask
for a receipt and the reason why you have to pay. Keep all receipts
as
long
as you stay in the country. If you have to bribe someone, remember
the
date,
the time, the amount of money and if possible the name of the officer
and
write a mail to the embassy of the country and the tourist office.
Try to have some money of the country you are heading for with you.
US
$ in
small bills are also important. Change with other travelers. At least
try to
know the exchange rate before you arrive at the border and try to
knew how
the
bills look like. There are moneychangers (bargain) or banks at every
border crossing.
I have been always asked for my driving license, the title of the
motorcycle
and my passport. I had an international driving license with me. At
most of
the borders you will need photocopies of the aforementioned documents.
Even
if
you are not asked for it is wise to have copies of all important
documents.
I mostly leave the originals in the hotel safe or in a belt which
I
wear und
my trousers. At all borders are photocopy shops available, but I
recommend
to do the copies in advance. Photocopy shops are easy to find in all
countries.
I never queue up with a motorcycle. I always pass the waiting line
of
cars,
busses and trucks.
All borders are easy to cross.
Costs traveling into (without Carnet des Passage or Libreta)
Guatemala
2,6 US $ at the immigration
4.4 US $ at the custom
Sometimes you have to pay 2.2 US $ for disinfecting of the bike
Honduras
21 US $ at the custom (they charged my 11US $ extra for a form. I
asked
for
a receipt and just got an arrogant smile as an answer. Finally the
officer
told me, that if I will not pay, I would not be allowed to pass the
border -
I paid)
Leaving the country was 2 US $.
Nicaragua
Road tax of 7 US $
Leaving the country was 2 US $, plus a regional fee of 1 US $
Costa Rica
10 US $ road tax for 1 month, 20 US $ for 2 months
Panama
1 US $ at the immigration
4 US $ at the custom
I left Panama City by airplane (169 US $ for the ticket). For the
bike
I
used GIRAG Air Cargo to fly it to Columbia.
GIRAG, Panama S.A. is located at the cargo airport, close to the
international airport in Tolumen. At the roundabout at Tolumen airport
just
follow the signs of American Airlines Cargo to the left, app. 8 miles
further on. After the first custom office in the cargo airport tourn
the
first right at the roundabout and then ask someone for the GIRAG
office.
Rene Peredes from GIRAG (Tel 38-4326, 38-4289, 38-4397, 38-4091, Fax
38-4417) was very friendly and helpful. He speaks good English.
The rate for motorcycles is 250 US $ from Panama to Bogota, Columbia.
The
weight and size does not count. So I left my fully loaded touratech
boxes at
the bike. I did not have anything to chance at the bike. Just the
battery
has to be disconnected and only a little bit of petrol is allowed
in
the
tank. Nobody checked this points.
In Bogota I first had a look at the bike at the GIRAG office close
to
the
international airport in Bogota and pick up the documents. Than I
had
to do
the custom clearance.
Pick up the forms from GIRAG and go to the custom office. Just across
the
road is the custom office (DIAN).
You will need a special form (5 US $) which is not available at the
DIAN
office. But a guy in front of the office will get the form for you.
The
DIAN
staff will show you the guy. You are not able to fill out the form
on
your
own. Too much code numbers and either the staff of DIAN nor GIRAG
will
help
you. So you need the guy in front of the DIAN office. He charged me
(20
US
$) for the form and to fill it out. You do not have an other
possibility.
The form has to be approved by DIAN. Next you have to get a stamp
at the
bank
at the airport (in walking distance). Show the stamps at DIAN - that's
it.
Sometimes someone from DIAN will have a look at the bike, but not
always.
Go back to GIRAG, show them the form and stamps and pick up your bike.
My bike was in perfect condition and it took me approximately 5 hours
to
get all
the
stamps. The computers are not working all the time.
All the people have been quite friendly and it was no big deal.
Good luck and please send me your experiences at borders all over
the
world
Erwin
Return to CUSTOMS HOMEPAGE
or to
MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA HOMEPAGE
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