Grenzen Mittelamerika, 2000-2001

Hallo, hier einige Infos.(Erwin Thoma)

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 erwin@thoma 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

Erwin Thoma [erwinthoma@hotmail.com]

Herzlichen Dank für diese Tipps an Erwin. Habt auch Ihr Tipps? Hier könnt Ihr anderen Fernreisenden helfen.
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